Essential Information:

This election is a “one and done” election. The results in March are final, with no run-offs. The ballots will arrive in early February, and OCDE School Board candidates will be near the bottom of the ballot.
This election is significant as it will decide the majority of the board, influencing critical decisions in children’s education across Orange County.
Positions are for election in Areas 1, 3, and 4, with two candidates in each contest. The incumbents, marked with an asterisk, face intense competition. A map of the areas and candidate information appear later in the article.

Responsibilities of the Orange County Department of Education School Board:

The board makes impactful decisions regarding educational policy, budget allocations, and overall direction for schools in their jurisdiction. Students directly under the jurisdiction of the OC Board of Education include students in alternative education programs (Access), special education, and juvenile hall schools. The outcome of this election is particularly crucial, as the board’s majority can significantly influence the implementation of educational programs, approval of charter schools, and other key administrative decisions.

Historical Context and Recent Shifts:

Before 2020, most people didn’t pay attention to the party affiliation of school trustees because few trustees used their positions to advance partisan goals. We’ve seen a significant change as the agenda of many candidates and trustees has shifted to include a political agenda. National political debates have been brought into local school board meetings. Polarizing topics include mask mandates, virtual learning, race and gender in the curriculum, book banning, and the role of parents in school governance. School board composition can lead to significant shifts in educational policies, affecting curriculum choices, school operations, and overall educational philosophy.

School board elections can have big consequences and cause chaos and dysfunction in school districts. This is evidenced by the Orange County Department of Education and local districts, including Placentia Yorba Linda School District, Orange Unified School District, and Chino Hills Unified School District. For example, California State University, Fullerton pulled their student teachers from classrooms from Placentia Yorba Linda School District for banning critical race theory.
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/newsletter/2022-10-21/timesoc-latest-news-in-orange-county-calif-oc-cal-state-fullerton-critical-race-theory-timesoc

Did Orange Unified School Officials Improperly Replace Their Superintendent? 

How to Make an Informed Vote:

Choosing the right candidate requires more than just listening to their campaign speeches. Are their motives genuine or politically motivated? How do you know? Scrutinizing each candidate’s background, endorsements, and campaign financing gives a window into their priorities. Questions about their personal investment in public education, such as where they sent their children to school, can offer insights into their motivations. Controversial terms like “Critical Race Theory,” generally not taught in K-12 schools, are often misused to mean a variety of race-related topics. A Parent’s Voice may have originated during COVID-19 and was a “code” for fighting mask mandates and vaccines. These terms are frequently used in political discourse but may not accurately represent the issues in K-12 education.

2024 Board of Education Candidates and the Areas they Represent
(Map provided by Jodi Balma) https://youtu.be/BfdJgPKFrXk?si=EszC-I3uFfI25oxX

Three positions will be filled on March 5, Areas 1, 3, and 4, with two candidates running in each area. The incumbent has an asterisk by their name. Resources are included.

Trustee Area 1 Candidates:

Jorge Valdes https://ocbe.us/Pages/Trustee-First-District.aspx

Beatriz Mendoza https://www.beamendoza.com/ (Read the candidate’s endorsements.)

Area 1 includes Anaheim and Santa Ana.

Trustee Area 3 Candidates:

Ken Williams https://drken4ocbe.com (Read the candidate’s endorsements.)
https://ocde.us/Board/Pages/Williams.aspx

Dr. Nancy Watkins: https://ballotpedia.org/Nancy_Watkins_(California)
https://nancywatkins4oc.com (Read the candidate’s survey and endorsements.)

Area 3 includes NE neighborhoods in Fullerton, Brea, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Orange, Villa Park, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Portola Hills, Anaheim, portions of Lake Forest, and portions of Tustin.

Trustee Area 4 Candidates:

Tim Shaw https://shawforschools.com/ (Read the candidate’s endorsements.)
https://ocde.us/Board/Pages/Shaw.aspx

David Johnson https://ballotpedia.org/David_Johnson_(California_school_board_member)
(Read the candidate’s connection—survey.)
Vote-david.com

Area 4 includes Fullerton, La Habra, Garden Grove, Stanton, and Westminster.

Researching and Understanding the Current Board:

In each race, the incumbent has a challenger. Researching and learning about the present board can help clarify their positions. The OC Board of Education’s website (https://ocbe.us/Pages/Home.aspx) has videos of board meetings, transcripts, and agendas. Understanding their achievements, financial management, and practices (including their choice and management of charter schools) offers a window into further governance. Resources such as Ballotpedia (which shares a wealth of information) and Vote11 can provide comprehensive information about the candidates.

Charter Schools and Educational Standards:

The approval and management of charter schools are among the most consequential responsibilities of the Orange County Department of Education School Board. This election will play a critical role in determining the board’s approach to charter schools, affecting the educational landscape of Orange County for many years to come. Orange County Board Members’ philosophy and practices regarding charter schools should be carefully scrutinized.

There is much controversy over decisions the current board makes regarding charter schools. The concerns are over the rate of approved schools and whether they follow federal and state guidelines and standards.

Proponents of charter schools say they offer a choice for students and parents.
Many charter schools in Orange County, such as OCSA (Orange County School of the Arts), are highly respected and follow the California State Standards and Curriculum.

The current board has been criticized for approving too many charter schools at an alarming rate. Four of these charters, the Classical Academies, raise heightened concern because they are affiliated with Hillsdale College (which identifies itself as a Christian Independent College). The critics ask: Are public funds being spent on charters that do not follow state and federal regulations, such as state-mandated history, special education requirements, and the separation of church and state?

Elizabeth Dorn Parker, Ed. D (30 -year Trustee of the OC Board of Education (1982-2012), a Governing Board Member of Coast Community College District, and Vice-Chair and Treasurer of Samueli Academy Charter School) addresses the above questions in her opinion article by Dorn Parker: Are Children Becoming Pawns in a Larger Political Game Where Profits Rule the Day Over Education? (voiceofoc.org)

Orange County Classical Academy eyes traditional school campuses for its expansion

More Websites to explore the current OCDE Board:

What reforms do OC Board of Education candidates propose? – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)

Orange County Board of Education loses lawsuit against Superintendents Mijares, Thurmond – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)

OC Board of Education cuts superintendent’s salary by nearly $48,000 – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)

This is a consequential election and will impact the future education of Orange County children. Please consider sharing this information with family and friends. Above all, don’t let this election drop off your radar.

Questions: Feel free to contact Marcy Fry at fry.marcy@gmail.com

Marcy has been an educator for over 40 years. Though most of her career was spent in public elementary schools (FSD Teacher of the Year, Top 10 in OC), she’s also taught in private schools and as an instructor at CSUF training teachers. As an educational leader and life-long learner, Marcy has visited and/or volunteered in schools nationwide (rural Mississippi, Charter Schools in underserved areas including Harlem, Brooklyn, and Houston) and worldwide (England, Germany, New Zealand, and Thailand).

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