Member of California school board quits amid allegations he exposed students to ‘half-naked men,’ alcohol

Claremont Unified Board of Education president Steven Llanusa resigned Saturday, Dec. 10 amid allegations that he exposed students to inappropriate behavior, including a “dirty Santa” and alcohol at a holiday party in his home earlier this month.

In an email sent to the Claremont Unified School District community around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Superintendent James Elsasser said Llanusa tendered his resignation early Saturday and will step down immediately from his board duties.

“In the very near future, we will discuss the next steps for filling this vacant position,” Elsasser wrote. “Thank you for your patience during this very difficult time.”

Elsasser, reached by a reporter, confirmed the resignation.

Rachel Forester, a Claremont Educational Foundation board member, said she was previously aware of Llanusa’s holiday parties but had never heard of inappropriate conduct taking place.

A parent of three children attending CUSD schools, Forester called Llanusa’s resignation “the very best thing to happen” but added she “felt” for Llanusa.

“I think (Llanusa) is a decent person and made a really poor decision that is going to cost him,” Forester said.

At a special board meeting that was live-streamed on Friday, Dec. 9, a half-dozen parents said their children, part of the Claremont High School choir program, performed at Llanusa’s home on Saturday, Dec. 3, to raise money for the program.

At the party, parents said, the students were exposed to scantily-clad male dancers dressed as elves and a “dirty Santa,” while some were offered alcohol.

“They were offered an open bar and to socialize with half-naked men, the dirty Santa who made disgusting comments to our children,” parent Gabriel Lozano told CBS Los Angeles.

Police are investigating the allegations.

When reached for comment Friday afternoon, Llanusa said, “On advice of counsel, I can’t comment on anything involved in an ongoing investigation.”