In an interview with Inland Valley News, the founders of the Chino Valley Defenders of Public Education voiced deep concern about what they describe as a hostile takeover of their school board by far-right ideologues, accusing local religious and political groups of influencing school governance at the expense of inclusive public education.
The group’s origins trace back to more than a decade of organizing against what they see as extremist behavior by board members.
Lisa Greathouse, one of the co-founders, recounted how the original movement began in 2012 after then-board member Andrew Cruz allegedly made inflammatory remarks.
“We found ourselves with a lot of like-minded people,” Greathouse said, referencing the group’s early efforts under the name Concerned Parents and Citizens of Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD).
“We got up to about 800 members to fight back on some of the more outrageous things our school board has done,” she said.
Now rebranded as the Chino Valley Defenders of Public Education, the organization’s leadership includes Greathouse, Bobby Omari and Naomi Minogue.
Both Greathouse and Omari have run for school board positions but were defeated.
They say their losses partially stem from the influence of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, a megachurch whose pastor, Jack Hibbs, is known for promoting candidates during services and directing congregants on how to vote.
“It’s hard to win when your opponent is being endorsed from the pulpit,” Greathouse said. “People were told exactly how to vote, from president down to dog catcher.”
Omari added that the church’s political arm, Real Impact, has allowed them to out-organize and outspend community-based candidates.
Minogue emphasized that the Defenders not only organize protests and meetings, but also vet and support potential school board candidates through canvassing, endorsements and technical assistance like website development. However, the group operates without the deep pockets of its opposition.
“We’re a grassroots group,” Minogue said. “Bobby’s opponent got $50,000 to $60,000 checks multiple times. We’re lucky to raise enough to print flyers.”
The group says the current board, led by President Sonja Shaw, is enacting policies that ignore California education law and prioritize conservative religious values.
Since Shaw assumed the presidency in 2023, the board has implemented a series of controversial measures such as banning pride flags, removing books with LGBTQ+ themes and passing resolutions on national culture war topics.
“These aren’t education issues,” Minogue said. “They’re culture war stunts. The board acts like a legislative body pushing an evangelical agenda.”
Greathouse said the board has spent more than $1.1 million this year alone on lawsuits, both defending against and initiating legal action related to these policies.
“That’s far above what comparable districts spend,” she said.
Adding to the turmoil is the board’s treatment of community members and its internal dynamics.
Minogue and Omari described the board as “undemocratic,” noting how Shaw has remained president for nearly her entire tenure despite policies that once rotated leadership.
“The rest of the board just rubber-stamps whatever she wants,” Minogue said. “There’s no dissension, no discussion. It all sails through.”
Concerns about transparency were amplified on July 10 when Chino Police Officer Matthew Solano, who served as a school resource and DARE officer, was arrested and charged with lewd acts against two junior high students.
While the superintendent issued a brief statement, Shaw has not made any public comment.
“It’s the hypocrisy that’s so disturbing,” Greathouse said. “They’ve labeled teachers with pride flags as ‘groomers,’ yet when there’s an actual case of alleged grooming, they say nothing.”
The Defenders continue to host meetings, drawing up to 50 attendees, to update the public, encourage civic participation and push back against what they call the dismantling of public education.
“We want public schools that are safe and inclusive for all,” Minogue said. “If people want schools tailored to their religious beliefs, there are private options. But public education must serve everyone.”
As the board majority faces reelection in 2026, the Defenders say they’ll continue their work, even if the playing field remains uneven.
“It’s hard to get good people to run when they see what they’re up against,” Omari said. “But we’re not going anywhere.”
