School trustees urged to step down over comment about teen boys in swim briefs related to ‘OnlyFans’

Backlash Over School Board Members’ Comments on Water Polo Players

Two school board members from California have faced significant criticism after making controversial comparisons between shirtless teenage water polo players and exotic dancers. A mother, upset over the remarks, has called for the resignation of both officials, alleging they “sexualized” minors.

Joseph Komroski, the Board President of Temecula Valley Unified School District, along with board member Jennifer Wiersma, became the focal point of outrage after they posted a photo of six water polo players from Temecula Valley High School. The athletes, wearing school-issued swim trunks, were encouraging the baseball team with “Bears!” written on their chests.

This image was shared on the high school baseball team’s Instagram account, accompanied by the playful tagline, “Our fans > better than yours. Go Bears.”

Wiersma stirred further controversy when she shared the image on her Instagram Story, jokingly questioning whether the team had become an “OnlyFans” crew, adding her approval for those who kept their pants on. This sparked an intense debate among parents and the community.

In response, Komroski reiterated the importance of maintaining a professional appearance, suggesting that the players should express their support without appearing “sexually provocative.” He emphasized that the community shouldn’t be exposed to such imagery in schools.

This sparked backlash from parents, including Sharon Sardina, who is the mother of one of the players in the photo. She expressed concerns that the remarks made by the board members did not prioritize the well-being of the students.

According to Sardina, the players merely stopped by the baseball game on April 28 to showcase their team spirit in-between swim meets, which is a common practice for water polo players. She pointed out how much the fans, coaches, and the players enjoyed the cheer.

Other parents also voiced their discontent online. One parent remarked that the board members should not be around children if they perceivably misconstrued the teenagers’ actions in such a way. Parents were concerned that the board’s reaction could have adverse effects on the students’ mental health.

During a school board meeting, Sardina formally demanded the resignation of Komroski and Wiersma. She emphasized the need for accountability and integrity in leadership, indicating that trust had been broken.

Sardina also noted that her son, a player affected by the controversy, was pulled out of class for discussions regarding the incident. She highlighted the potential negative impact this situation could have on students’ mental state.

Komroski defended his comments, asserting that his intentions were to uphold district standards and maintain the students’ dignity.

It’s worth noting that both board members are part of the conservative majority elected to the Temecula School Board in 2022, with a history of supporting various educational policies.