The Orange County Board of Education (OCBOE) holds significant sway over decisions impacting the local education landscape, from approving charter schools to navigating policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent article published by the Fullerton Observer and authored by Marcy Fry, the importance of OCBOE’s decisions is underscored.

Senate Bill 907 (SB 907) would, if passed, restructure the OCBOE by expanding its composition from five to seven trustees and shifting its elections from the primary ballot in March to the general election ballot in November of each even-numbered year.

“Since the last time the Orange County Department of Education was modified, in 1977, the population of Orange County has more than doubled,” said Senator Josh Newman, Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “Increasing the number of trustees on the OCBOE will ensure a more representative and responsive board, and aligning the OCBOE’s trustee elections with the November balloting will improve civic participation and parental engagement in our local education decision-making processes. Both of these changes are long overdue.”

A press release from Newman’s office also noted that of the state’s ten largest counties, OC, which is the third most populous, is just one of four that still has only five trustees on its Board of Education. Moreover, of the 47 county offices of education that held elections in 2020, Orange County was one of only five to hold its elections as part of the lower turnout March primary, with the other 90% conducting their elections during the higher turnout November general election.

The current OCBOE, which is majority conservative and has frequently taken positions in opposition to state policies — opposes SB 907’s intent to restructure the OCBOE. The board’s president, Tim Shaw, voiced opposition to the bill during the Senate Education Committee hearing in which it was heard.

On May 3^rd, longtime OCBOE Trustee Ken Williams organized a protest against SB 907 outside Senator Newman’s Fullerton office, joined by Trustee Lisa Sparks and other supporters. Observers noted that there were fewer than 30 total protesters at the rally.

Trustee Lisa Sparks criticized the bill, saying, “SB907 is a bad-to-the-bone bill. It is a political football in terms of policy-making. Why would a bunch of people from Sacramento be targeting the Orange County Board of Education?”

Steven Choi, who is running against Newman in November, also addressed the protestors, “Josh Newman is using political weaponization of his power as a supermajority senator, and he does not represent the voters of OC.”

Ken Williams said, “This really means a lot. It means that parents really are in control, and not a single legislator in Sacramento who is making a power grab.”

Tim Shaw and Lisa Sparks talked to the Fullerton Observer on a conference call.

“One of my points is this is simply not a decision that state legislature should be making,” said Shaw, “If we need to have a discussion about the number of trustees and date of elections, we can make that at the local level. LA County does not have Board of Education elections at all. They should look at Los Angeles. The state legislators did not address this point at all.”

A recording of Tim Shaw’s voicing opposition to Senate Bill 907 during a Senate Education Committee hearing is available here.

Lisa Sparks mentioned, “San Diego is bigger than Orange County. If what is being proposed is good policy and good legislation, changes should be statewide.”

Speaking to the Fullerton Observer following the protest, Newman remarked, “This is not actually about politics, it’s about representation. If the Board majority is so confident in its positions, it shouldn’t be afraid of more voters participating in a November election. I have a long track record of advancing pro-voter legislation, and I certainly have nothing against parents or parental involvement. As things stand, a large share of voters, thousands of whom are parents, feel their votes are not being counted, and their voices are not being heard. Nor do I have anything against charter schools. On the contrary, I strongly believe in the right balance between charter schools and public schools. My record as a legislator, especially in my role as Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, attests to that, and I’m proud to have a very good working relationship with the California Charter Schools Association.”

On the one hand, the current trustees and their supporters want to maintain the status quo, believing that the current process is fair. On the other hand, we have state legislators who want to increase representation. SB 907 highlights the complex interplay between state and local politics in shaping educational policies.

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