The upcoming school board election in Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) has drawn significant attention, With a slate of far-right Candidates running for school board, much of that focus has fallen on candidate Lisa Zollinger. Although she plays neutral, its clear she is aligned with a far-right Christian nationalist agenda. Her positions on LGBTQ+ rights, their well being and her overall potential competence in managing school district affairs have raised alarms among concerned parents and community members alike. With issues like student privacy, bullying, and curriculum concerns at the forefront, it’s important to critically assess the implications of Zollinger’s candidacy.
When faced with questions in a recent sit down with one concerned CUSD parent, Lisa Zollinger’s lack of basic understanding about LGBTQ+ issues came to light. It was reported that when asked about the number of students transitioning in the district, Zollinger demonstrated confusion over fundamental concepts like medical, surgical, and social transitions. This is particularly concerning for someone running on ‘parents rights’ culture war issues and expected to oversee a district that serves students from diverse backgrounds, including transgender and non-binary individuals.
Without a clear grasp of these issues she has a hardline opinion on, how can Zollinger effectively advocate for or protect the rights of students who are often marginalized and face higher risks of bullying? Her candidacy leaves many questioning whether she truly understands the needs of these students—or worse, whether she cares to.
Zollingers troubling associations: local extremists, hate groups and Project 2025
Even more troubling is Zollinger’s affiliation with Moms for Liberty, an organization known for pushing anti-LGBTQ+ agendas under the guise of “parental rights.” Moms for Liberty has endorsed Zollinger’s running mate, signaling alignment with illegal policies that could force transgender students to be outed to their families without their consent and cost the districts millions in lawsuits, such as the case with Chino Valley Unified. In fact, many of Zollinger’s closest confidants have been identified traveling to Chino Valley Unified School District board meetings to pose for photos with school board agitators and Sonja Shaw, the board president who pushes forced outing policies Such policies can violate the privacy of students and put them at emotional or even physical risk.
Zollinger openly admits she takes guidance from figures like Melissa Crew and Shannin Kurtz—both of whom are vocal supporters of forced outing policies in CUSD. Kurtz, who runs the Instagram page @CAParentsRightsActNow, is not only a leading advocate for these harmful policies but also promotes anti-vaccine rhetoric, opposes teachers’ unions, and pushes for book bans. She’s even been campaigning for Zollinger. The glaring contradictions in Zollinger’s so-called “neutral” stance suggest her real loyalties lie with organizations and individuals whose agendas endanger students, like the Heritage Foundation. In fact, Zollinger recently co-hosted a parent empowerment forum sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, the same group behind Project 2025—a detailed plan to defund public education should Trump return to the presidency.
One of the more puzzling aspects of Zollinger’s candidacy is her self admitted reliance on Melissa Crew, a figure who lives in the district and doesn’t even have children in public schools. Crew runs a fringe extreme group called Moms On The Ground (@momsontheground.ca), and has positioned herself as an exposer of what she calls the “trans student hustle,” using dubious Public Records Act requests to claim that schools are secretly facilitating hundreds of gender transitions without informing parents.
The reality? Crew’s claims fall apart upon inspection. Individual Transition Plans (ITP’s) can be shared with whomever the students wishes and there is no proof that any certain number of them are hidden from anyone. School counselors are required to protect a students privacy if they wish so regarding social transitioning at school, but the fact is students are given the option to involve their families in their transition decisions, school counselors are instructed to encourage a student to involve parents, and school counselors are required by law to inform parents if a child is in psychological distress or if there are any mental health concerns through AB 2022 and AB 2246.
The misinformation spread by Crew and echoed by Zollinger only serves to create fear and division where there should be support and understanding.
The Public Records Act (PRA) requests and documents Melissa Crew relies on appear to be the very same ones obtained by the Center for American Liberty. This connection strongly suggests that Crew is working hand-in-hand with the nonprofit, which is led by Harmeet Dhillon—an attorney notorious for her anti-trans litigation and a close ally of the national GOP. This affiliation blows apart any claim that Crew, Shannin Kurtz, or Lisa Zollinger are operating grassroots efforts. In reality, their agenda is being fueled by powerful far-right conservative organizations with significant influence, intent on pushing extreme policies under the guise of local activism. These aren’t just concerned parents—they’re part of a well-coordinated campaign backed by major political forces aiming to reshape school policies and target vulnerable student populations.
Misinterpretations of Educational Content: A Red Flag
In addition to her uninformed stance on LGBTQ+ issues, Zollinger’s judgment on curriculum matters raises further concerns. In the same sit down with a CUSD mom, she criticized a district sexual education lesson, claiming that a science teacher normalized oral sex as a form of contraception. Not only is this a gross misrepresentation of the curriculum, (informing students of the risks of each sexual act, including whether or not said acts could lead to pregnancy), but Zollinger also admitted that she hadn’t reviewed the material herself. Even more telling, she didn’t opt her own daughter out of the lesson, which parents are allowed to do if they find it objectionable.
Zollinger also openly admitted she never reached out to the science teacher who gave the lesson, and could not even name the teacher. Instead of engaging directly with the school or seeking clarification, Zollinger chose to spread misinformation—once again raising questions about her readiness to serve on the school board.
The Bigger Picture: Leadership Requires Understanding and Empathy
The role of a school board member is not just about representing a narrow set of parental concerns but about fostering a safe, inclusive, and educational environment for all students. The picture emerging from Zollinger’s statements and affiliations is of a candidate who lacks the understanding, empathy, and foresight required to protect and nurture a diverse student body. Her endorsement of harmful policies and reliance on misinformation-driven sources is a recipe for disaster—particularly for LGBTQ+ students, who are already at higher risk for bullying and mental health challenges.
Conclusion: Voters, Take Heed
As the CUSD election approaches, voters must carefully evaluate what’s at stake. Electing someone like Lisa Zollinger, who shows a troubling lack of understanding about LGBTQ+ issues and appears willing to promote policies that endanger vulnerable students, could have lasting consequences for the district. A school board member’s primary responsibility is to ensure the well-being and education of *all* students, and Zollinger’s record suggests she is not equipped to handle that responsibility.
In this election, it’s not just about which candidate aligns with a specific ideology. It’s about who has the knowledge, empathy, and commitment to protect students—especially those who need it most.
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