Recall of Woodland Joint Unified School District Trustee Area 2 Governing Board Member Emily MacDonald

Recall Question

Shall Emily MacDonald be recalled (removed) from office of Area Two Trustee Seat on the Woodland Joint Unified School District?

Statement of Reasons for Recall

[as appeared on the notice of intent to recall that was filed by the proponents of the recall]

        TO THE HONORABLE Emily MacDonald : Pursuant to Section 11020, California Elections Code, the undersigned registered qualified voters of Woodland Joint Unified School District, Trustee Area 2, in the State of California, hereby give notice that we are the proponents of a recall petition and that we intend to seek your recall and removal from the office of Governing Board Member, in Woodland Joint Unified School District, Trustee Area 2. The grounds for the recall are as follows:

        We are seeking to recall Governing Board Member, Trustee Emily MacDonald in response to statements that she made about the transgender community at the June 15, 2023 school board meeting. In her commentary, Trustee MacDonald referred to transgender people as a “social contagion” and stated that the “normalization of transgender identity” has had “unintended consequences.” The school district and school board has repeatedly affirmed their commitment to create a “safe, supportive, and inclusive environment” for all of Woodland's students. Trustee MacDonald's divisive comments undermined this critical function of the school board. These statements about transgender persons were ignorant, dehumanizing, and created a greater risk of physical danger for Woodland's LGBTQIA+ students.

        When Trustee MacDonald ran for school board, she did not disclose these controversial views on the LGBTQIA+ community as a candidate for office. In light of these recent public statements, we believe that the voters of Trustee Area 2 deserve a chance to decide whether they want Trustee MacDonald to continue to represent them.

Answer to the Statement of Reasons

[as filed by recallee, the officer whose recall is sought]

As a WJUSD Trustee, I am concerned that in our efforts to support and affirm transgender and non-binary students, we are inadvertently sending all students a message that feelings of discomfort around body image, relationships and gender roles can mean a student is born into the wrong body. Some students may then think that medical treatment is necessary or desirable. Our message should accept students as they are, celebrate the wonderful diversity of students at WJUSD and acknowledge the unique gifts that each contributes to the whole.

Regardless of this petition's outcome, I am heartened by the community's civic engagement in the democratic process. By passionately sharing opinions in a public forum, we model for the citizens of the future the importance of government by the people and for the people. I appreciate the many good-faith conversations I have had with community members, who, regardless of opinion, share with me a desire to see all WJUSD students succeed. Our ability to continue this discussion and reach common ground will determine our success as a District in educating students and creating a place where all students thrive.

/s/ Emily MacDonald