As of 2022, the current school board members, in order of district number, are Angie Gallo, Maria . Superintendent, Capistrano Unified School District, Dr. Rudy Castruita, USC Professor of Clinical Education, Dr. Rocky Cifone (ret) Dean, South Orange County Community College District, Deputy Superintendent, Educational Services, , Capistrano Unified School School District. First-term board member Maria Salamanca, a Latina woman who identifies as LGBTQ, added that 40% of books banned in U.S. schools contain LGBTQ characters or themes, and 40% have had a protagonist of color, demonstrating clear disparities. 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(Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG), Theresa Montano, a professor at Cal State Northridge, explains that she didnt want to participate in the Orange County Board of Educations forum on ethnic studies and critical race theory because, there are no other experts on the panel and she doesnt like that everyone else on the panel disagrees with her during a press conference by Truth in Education in Newport Beach, CA, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Orange County School Board considers requiring schools to notify The Los Alamitos school board is not alone. DeSantis, Controversial elections bill ensures Gov. Current and former students said it was the teacher's way of creating an inclusive and welcoming classroom experience. ), At Willie Nelson 90, country, rock and rap stars pay tribute, but Willie and Trigger steal the show, Plaschke: Lakers live up to their legacy with a close-out win for the ages, Most of Yosemite Valley is closed due to potentially perilous snowpack and flooding, The Great Big Highly Specific Guide to Disneyland, Mom influencer who said Latino couple tried to kidnap her kids convicted of false report, Cooler weather to bring rare May rain, snow into Southern California, Three women, one man die in Mojave mobile home shooting, What was behind the protest against an archaeologist at last weeks L.A. Times Book Festival, Column: If not cops or guns, what will it take to make us feel safe? Superintendent, San Bernardino County Office of Education, Dr. Joe Farley (ret.) By But that gender identity question has culminated in a simmering debate about what is appropriate to teach in classrooms that finally boiled over Tuesday between disgruntled parents and the Los Alamitos Unified School Board at a school board meeting. For more in-depth information on this candidate, follow the links for each tab in this section. We can't push fear or reaction. Thank you to the rest of the @OCPSnews Board members who defended our LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students to this bigot. Board members are elected for a four-year term by the electors of the trustee area which they represent. Board members are elected for a four-year term by the electors of the trustee area which they represent. From among its members, the Board elects a president and a vice president. Unofficial survey data show that roughly 11% of the Santa Ana district families want their children to continue virtual learning, chief communications officer Fermin Leal said. The Board of Education can be reached by calling (714) 628-4487. I think this district has done a good job of making sure that kids all feel included, Farrant said. All are in the West Learning Community in Orange County School Board member Pam Gould's District 4. Ben Brazil is a former features writer for TimesOC who now works as a News Desk multiplatform editor for the Los Angeles Times. Board Clerk Members of Truth in Education on Tuesday said their group was formed to counter the Orange County school boards opposition to ethnic studies and critical race theory. These video overviews represent the most widely requested counseling sessions that are available for students and staff. Board President Mari Barke apologized Tuesday evening to the other invited speakers of the forum, who she said were slandered by Montao. A second town hall on the same topics is scheduled for Aug. 24. They were selected by board members to equalize the districts that have become lopsided as growth continues at a rapid pace in certain areas, such as Pam Gould's District 4. Gavin Newsom to reopen schools for in-person instruction has voted to challenge him . Board member Ken Williams read a portion of the resolution against vaccine passports aloud during the meeting. Melissa Moran, who has a daughter in the teacher's class, told the board that the pronoun question was a sign of respect. There was some concern, 'Why would an adult man be asking minor children under the age of 14 about their sexuality?'". OCDE - About the Board On Tuesday night, parents and students filled the Los Alamitos Unified board room. Last year, the board went from an at-large election system where anyone in the district can run for a seat to five trustee voting areas. Download it here. Board member Beckie Gomez had departed before the vote. About the Board - Orange County Board of Education Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. The Orange County Board of Education is challenging Gov. 3rd District Trustee Area 4*, Kris Erickson Whats happening is taking away the freedoms of parents and of all people to be able to decide whether they want to have a genetically modifying experimental drug put into their body or be cut out of society potentially. The OC Board of Education has sued Governor Newsom three times since the summer of 2020. Florida Republicans pass anti-union bill, reject Democrats attempts to soften its blow, Grills Seafood owner says Bud Light partnering with trans person has brought us into hell on Earth, Florida Republicans vote to lower gun-buying age, scrapping change made after Parkland shooting, Florida House agrees to boost funding for Visit Florida's tourism-marketing efforts, By Jim Turner, the News Service of Florida, Floria education officials target Leon County superintendent for opposing Gov. Florida's edicts on classrooms are wearing thin with some school board Some disgruntled parents are banding together to recall members of the Los Alamitos Unified school board. Andrew Noymer, a UC Irvine professor of population health and disease prevention, said the Board of Education is stirring the pot with its statement on vaccination mandates for children. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG), Mari Barke, center, president of the Orange County Board of Education speaks at a press conference prior to a forum about about ethnic studies and critical race theory at the Orange County Board of Education in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. #3 - Stop Using the Board of Education as a Partisan Political Platform. It is not unreasonable to affirm that critical race theory is designed to convey hostile, divisive, race-obsessed, poisonous,elitist, non-inclusive ideas, Sparks said. Members of O.C. School Board could face bigger, more liberal electorate The Foundation for OCPS - Board of Directors Mari Barke, Orange County Board of Education, Area 2 Dr. Ken Williams, Orange County Board of Education, Area 3 Tim Shaw, Orange County Board of Education, Area 4 Dr. Lisa Sparks, Orange County Board of Education, Area 5 John Ortega, Orange Unified Board of Education, Area 2 Angie Schleuter-Rumsey, Orange Unified Board of Education, Area 6 kristin.erickson@orangeusd.org Next year, a recall election could occur if the group gathers enough signatures and the registrar's office verifies them. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Orange County and other California sites to close mass COVID-19 vaccination centers, Pen mightier than the tweet at Great American Write-In, Heritage Hill Historical Park to host Rancho Days Fiesta, O.C. Advisory Legal Opinion - Reapportioning school district Teresa Jacobs became Chair of the Orange County School Board in November 2018. Board member Madison Klovstad Miner listens as parents voice opposition to the abrupt firing of the district's superintendent at an Orange Unified school board meeting on Jan. 19. School board chair and former Orange County mayor Teresa Jacobs, in discussion afterwards, agreed with the sentiment shared by McCracken, and said the board should in the future discuss what they can do to ensure kids have access to books that reflect their diverse experiences and identities. Orange County Public Schools is located in Orlando, Florida. "You can call it ethnic studies. Number: AGO 80-26. Supporters of Californians state-mandated ethnic studies during a press conference by Truth in Education in Newport Beach, CA, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. NEW POLITICAL BOUNDARIES The Orange County School Board unanimously voted Dec. 14 on Proposal 16, which sets the new boundaries for each of the seven School Board members' districts. Many speakers have also mentioned that the county should not mandate vaccines for children or adults. Paul took exception to a young student who spoke up earlier in support of the LBGTQ community. Board of Education doesn't determine much of anything for Orange County schools. Challenge Coin Recipients Represent the OUSD EDGE! Both have been labeled problematic by the DeSantis administration, which has welcomed the support of groups like Moms for Liberty that have galvanized a wave of book banning across the U.S. Floridas new policy governing what materials can and cannot remain in schools has consumed hours upon hours of school boards time, including in Orange County. Critical race theory is a decades-old academic concept typically taught at the college level that looks at race as a social construct and racism as something that is embedded in governmental institutions and policy. With Voters Edge, you have all the election information you need at your fingertips. Board of Education. Orange County Public Schools - School Board Watchlist (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), The public and invited guests pack the Orange County Board of Education for a town hall meetings to discuss ethnic studies and critical race theory in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.