The Hate Slate

Deborah Gibson

Campaigning on “Biblical Values,” Not Public Education Experience

Deborah “Debbie” Gibson is a candidate for the Area 3 seat on the LVJUSD Board of Education. Before you vote, look at what she has said at board meetings and at the candidate forum.

She says she will vote by “biblical values.” At the September 28 School Board Candidate Forum, Gibson stated that she will “vote according to biblical values.” Trustees swear to represent the interests of all people served by the district, whatever their faith. Gibson quoted that oath herself at the May 12 board meeting, yet she thinks she can apply her own religious beliefs to school board governance.

She calls herself a “retired teacher,” but has no public education experience. Gibson’s teaching experience was homeschooling her two children decades ago. She has never worked in a public school. She was disingenuous in filing her candidate paperwork with a statement that she is a “retired teacher.”

She has turned public comment into prayer. Gibson has attended board meetings for the past two years and always prays during public comment. On June 9, she told the four trustees who voted for the Pride Resolution that they “will ultimately pay the price,” then closed with scripture about those who “call evil good and good evil.”

She has urged the district to act against state law. Gibson has advocated that the district depart from California law on Title IX, which would expose the district to costly litigation. On May 12, she told the board that the only resolution she would “wholeheartedly support” is one focused on private spaces and athletic competition, and she described transgender girls as “boys who are dressing up as girls.”

She is recommended by Board Trustee Deena Kaplanis. The Tri-Valley Republicans 2026 voter guide lists Gibson as “Recommended by Deena Kaplanis” and groups her with Kaplanis and Stephen Orgain as a “Conservatives Slate” for the LVJUSD board. Trustee Deena Kaplanis’s own record is on this page.

Read her full statements

Below are the complete transcripts of Gibson’s public comments on the Pride Resolution, so you can judge her words in full.

May 12, 2026 (before the vote)

“Good evening again. Although I have addressed this in past board meetings when this resolution has been brought before you, I must remind you again of your code of ethics that you swore to uphold. As stated and signed by each of you, The trustees of the Board of Education of Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District shall not hold themselves, shall hold themselves, excuse me to the highest standard of ethical conduct. What does ethical conduct mean? Ethical conduct is the practice of acting in accordance with principles of honesty, integrity, fairness, and respect for others in all situations. The oath you took stated, as a member of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Education, I shall represent the interests of all people served by the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District and not favor special interests inside or outside of this district. This so-called pride resolution is unnecessary. It is a [sic] divisive and not inclusive. There are many students and families that do not feel respected or supported or have a sense of belonging, as this resolution states, because it does not represent their moral values. Why is the board proposing a resolution to celebrate sexual behavior when minors should not be encouraged to engage in sexual activity? Federally, June is no longer recognized as Pride Month. However, it is recognized as Title IX Month. Focusing on protecting our female students in their private spaces and fairness for female athletes when it comes to athletic competition, by making sure that they are not competing against boys who are dressing up as girls would be a resolution I would wholeheartedly support. I urge you not to pass this resolution. Thank you.”

Source: May 12, 2026 board meeting starting at 03:09:45

June 9, 2026 (after the vote)

“Good evening. I had the opportunity to go and take a look at the agenda for tonight, and read some of the letters that came in thanking you for passing the resolution calling June Pride Month. Although you probably see this as an affirmation that you are doing what is right, you couldn't be more wrong. Never in the history of mankind has a male become a female, or a female become a male. It is scientifically impossible, no matter how they dress up, no matter how hard they want to believe that they can actually change their sex because they think they have been born in the wrong body or having body parts surgically removed or added. You represent the school district, and we expect our children and grandchildren to be taught truth. Truth when it comes to math, history, English, reading and science. You are fooling yourselves if you think you are on the right side of this argument. You are doing a disservice to the students who need counseling rather than affirming a lie to make them feel safe. If there is a safety issue, then deal with it when it comes up, like they did when we were kids. Using their preferred pronouns or encouraging them to be treated with puberty blockers is wrong, and the four of you who voted for this will ultimately pay the price along with these kids who trust you. And because I'm a Christ follower and hope that everyone here will make that same decision sooner rather than later, because one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, I will close with the following scriptures: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness. You love evil more than good and lying more than speaking what is right. And one who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor. But the way of the wicked leads them astray. Thank you.”

Source: June 9, 2026 board meeting starting at 00:12:55

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