Probe Raises Concerns About Credibility Of Temecula Valley USD Trustee Wiersma

TEMECULA, CA — When Temecula Valley Unified School District Board Member Jennifer Wiersma publicly accused TVUSD Trustee Steven Schwartz of sexually harassing her, she was less than truthful, according to the recently released findings of an independent probe conducted on behalf of the district.

The evidence raises "concerns about the credibility of, and motivation behind, Ms. Wiersma's complaint and suggests her complaint may not have been made in good faith — or, at best, that she exercised poor judgment ...," according to the probe led by San Clemente-based Nicole Miller & Associates, Inc.

The investigation's findings were shared with the district in a report dated June 4, which was published Tuesday by The Press-Enterprise.

According to the report, all witnesses interviewed for the probe, including all TVUSD board members, were consistent in their answers, except for Wiersma. An investigator "noted several inconsistencies in Ms. Wiersma's account throughout her interview, and her statement seems to have lacked consistency over time," the report found.

Wiersma's sexual harassment allegation stemmed from a December 5 gathering at a California School Boards Association conference in Anaheim. All of the TVUSD board members were in attendance, and that evening the group joined together for a photo in front of a Christmas tree in a hotel lobby.

As the board members posed for the photo, Wiersma was next to Schwartz. In her recounting, Wiersma said Schwartz made an inappropriate comment, telling her she could "cop a feel" if she wanted and that his wife would not mind.

Wiersma further alleged that newly elected TVUSD board member Dr. Melinda Anderson was nearby and overheard the crude remark, but dismissed it, telling Wiersma, "That's just Steve."

Not only did Schwartz adamantly deny making the egregious comment, Anderson told an investigator she never heard it nor heard about it from Wiersma that night. She also firmly rejected the notion that she told Wiersma, "That's just Steve."

Furthermore, the probe found that none of the other board members, nor anyone present during the photo gathering, heard the alleged comments.

During a rideshare to an area restaurant immediately after the photo, Anderson, Wiersma and TVUSD Board Member Dr. Joseph Komrosky were together in the vehicle. The alleged comments were never mentioned, according to the probe's findings.

Nearly two months after the alleged incident, Wiersma filed a complaint against Schwartz with the district.

Then, on Feb. 11, during a TVUSD board workshop that was being livestreamed, she made her allegation public.

Incensed, Schwartz communicated to the district his intent to make a complaint against Wiersma, alleging her statement of sexual harassment by him was false and made in bad faith.

Then, in late March, after the Nicole Miller & Associates investigation was launched, Wiersma requested to expand the scope of the probe to also look into how the TVUSD handled her sexual harassment complaint. Wiersma alleged the district failed to address her claim adequately.

Her request to expand the investigation was approved, although the probe ultimately determined that the district was not negligent in its response.

As for Schwartz's assertion that Wiersma made the sexual harassment claim in bad faith, investigators agreed, finding that "nearly all witnesses shared the perception that Ms. Wiersma was dishonest in her complaint" against him.

Schwartz released a July 7 statement about the probe to The Press-Enterprise: "This pattern of sabotage and refusal to work collaboratively is something our community has seen before from Trustee Wiersma. It hurts our district and distracts from our mission of serving students."

Patch reached out to Wiersma, but she declined to comment for this story.

Wiersma and Schwartz have not had a great relationship and have often clashed over board policies.

TVUSD Board Member Emil Barham told an investigator that he believed Wiersma's sexual harassment allegation was fabricated, spurred on by previous clashes with Schwartz and her disappointment in not being appointed as TVUSD board president after the November 2024 election.

Wiersma served as interim TVUSD board president after Komrosky was recalled in June 2024. She made a bid for the board president position after the November election, which saw Komrosky return to the dais. In a 3-2 vote, with Anderson, Barham and Schwartz in the majority, Wiersma lost her bid.

Wiersma serves on the TVUSD board representing Trustee Area 3. She was elected to the position in 2022. Her term expires in 2026.

Schwartz represents Trustee Area 5. In November, he was re-elected to his seat. His current term expires in 2028.