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And when I heard that these folks were interested in doing something over here, as an alternative, that kind of sold it, Montao said, adding that she made her decision to resign on Sunday just two days before the event. Kids lose. This earned her swift pushback from her colleagues. McCracken, preside of the Orange County teachers union, said on Tuesday its a shame the school board has to spend all of this time updating policies as a result of unnecessary culture wars created by DeSantis and Florida lawmakers. One was settled for. Marlys Davidson, president of the board, also did not return an email seeking comment. Aug. 4, 2021 11:46 AM PT. Last March, the California Board of Education approved a model ethnic studies curriculum. The teacher's pronoun survey issue is the latest uproar at Los Alamitos Unified District, which has become the center of Orange County's cultural and political issues relating to students and children. The OC Board of Education also filed a lawsuit against the County Committee on School District Organization when it did not rubber stamp the Board approved election map. It teaches hate and rewards bigotry, said Ian Scruton, a student from Capistrano Unified School District who gathered with some 20 fellow Truth in Education members outside Eastbluff Elementary School in Newport Beach. Before the Aug. 23 primary, the Observer will be publishing Q&As featuring candidates in key races that will appear on ballots in West Orange and Southwest Orange. The bottom line - Undermining public schools undermines the quality of our kids education and the quality of our communities. Board members, who are elected to four-year terms, approve charter schools and hear interdistrict transfer and expulsion appeals. Orange County School District; Board Members; This page is currently unavailable. 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. You can access your list by navigating to 'My Choices'. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), Lisa Sparks, center, trustee 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. Learn More. But shortly afterward, Chau said he spoke directly to state officials urging them to issue a statewide order. Aguilar, who once ran for a seat on the school board in 2016 but lost, said the two other board members aren't being targeted because they are up for re-election next year. We can't push fear or reaction. They ignored almost four thousand community comments in support of masks and social distancing and received four that supported their position. However, some district parents said it's inappropriate for young kids to learn about gender identity at middle school. 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. With the help of well-funded outside political groups, parents have launched offensives attempting to recall school board members across the state and nation. She initially was invited to the boards town hall by member Beckie Gomez, the only Democrat on the board, but withdrew Monday saying the panel would offer a skewed, uninformed view about ethnic studies. Some educators, including Los Alamitos Unified Superintendent Andrew Pulver, have said the two teachings are separate and they tout ethnic studies as a means of teaching empathy and helping achieve racial justice and equity. 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. I know that some people are concerned that teaching ethnic studies and accurate history about oppression teaches kids to hate the U.S., or that it is about putting down white people. California School Employees Association #224, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #441, Michael Villar Councilmember, Dana Point City Council, Bob Whalen Mayor Pro Tem, Laguna Beach City Council, Toni Iseman Councilmember, Laguna Beach City Council, Sergio Farias Councilmember, San Juan Capistrano City Council, Chris Duncan Mayor Pro Tem, San Clemente City Council, Tiffany Ackley Councilmember, Aliso Viejo City Council, Richard Hurt Mayor Pro Tem, Aliso Viejo City Council, Ross Chun Mayor, Aliso Viejo City Council, Cottie Petrie-Norris CA Assemblywoman, AD-74, Dr. Lorraine Prinsky Vice President, Coast Community College / Professor Emeritus CSUF, Candi Kern Trustee, Cypress School District, Kristin Erickson Vice President, Orange Unified School District, Suzie Swartz Trustee, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Barbara Schulman Vice President, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, Kelly Osborne Clerk, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Carol Normandin President, Laguna Beach Unified School District, Dr. Bonnie Castrey Trustee, Huntington Beach Union High School District, Joanne Fawley Clerk, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Dr. Vicki Calhoun Trustee, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Amy Hanacek Trustee, Capistrano Unified School District, Krista Castellanos Vice President, Capistrano Unified School District, Beckie Gomez Orange County Board of Ed Member, Tom Ressler (ret.) In a 4-0 closed-session vote, the board approved a legal challenge that targets the governors emergency rule-making powers, which includes the recent school mask mandate issued as California schools are fully reopening for in-person learning against a troubling coronavirus uptick fueled by the highly contagious Delta variant. From among its members, the Board elects a president and a vice president. News reporter for Orlando Weekly, covering general news, local government, labor, housing, and other social and economic justice issues. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within. Print Version. Board members have previously said that its ethnic studies program is not a study of critical race theory, which is an academic specialization that looks into systemic institutional racism. Prepared by: John W. Williams, Assistant Attorney General. Recently, county Board of Supervisors meetings have been overtaken by dozens of members of the public who have railed against vaccine passports. A 17-member committee made up of Central Florida business men and women has been meeting regularly to learn about the seven districts that make up the Orange County School Board. They have exploited their positions to pursue their own political agendas. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? 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 . 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. We have to be inclusive. Board of Education doesnt determine much of anything for Orange County schools. The other is pending and continues to rack up legal fees, paid by taxpayers. These lawsuits are a disappointing distraction from a common goal getting kids back into schools safely and limiting the spread of COVID-19, the department said. How districts choose to enforce the rule on campus is up to them. Adding gender pronouns to names on social media profiles and even email signatures have gained traction in recent years as a way for people to respect their preferred gender identity and create an inclusive atmosphere. Putting aside for the moment, the lack of sound, medical or scientific basis of the governors requirement to mask school children who in general are neither at risk from COVID-19 nor likely to spread it and putting aside the lack of any thoughtful well-considered transparent balancing of substantial harms of forced masking of juveniles against the reported benefits, the governor and the state level administrative agencies do not have the power to continue the state of emergency indefinitely, the board said. People here tend to be more on the cautious side.. Muller plans to run for the school board. Theyre screaming loudly that theyre going to oppose this, but nobodys actually proposing that it will happen.. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), Overflow seats were set up outside the Orange County Board of Education for a town hall meeting to discuss ethnic studies and critical race theory in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. During the Oct. 26, 2021, School Board meeting, a member of the public, Jacob Engels, began reading from a book called "Gender Queer: A Memoir." The book, found in an Orange County Public Schools high school library, is a graphic novel that contains detailed and graphic depictions of sex acts. My school and my community were unsafe places for me, and although there were physical assaults, too, the daily, hidden but pervasive attacks were much worse, telling me I was alone in this world, that who I was and what I felt was abnormal that I didn't belong. McCracken, whose union represents 14,000 teachers and school staff across the county, shared a personal story to emphasize the importance of retaining books in schools that reflect the diverse backgrounds of students, including LGBTQ youth. The teacher did not return an interview request as of press time. The Nuremberg Trials were military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute Nazis who took part in the Holocaust and committed war crimes. Advisory Legal Opinion - AGO 80-26. Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Trustee, Trustee Area 5 Orange County Board of Education. Trustee Area 5*, Map Prepared by Davis Demographics, November 24, 2014. We have an entire month for them [LGBTQ people] not only in June, but also in October, said Farrant. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Orange County residents on Tuesday voted to re-elect two school board members: chairperson Teresa Jacobs and District 1 member Angie Gallo. Box 9050, Costa Mesa, California 92628-9050. Power Authoritys CEO ousted as board addresses transparency issues, Anaheim Transportation Network powers up a new electric fleet, High fidelity: Audiophiles celebrate the joy of music on Record Store Day, Clothesline Project hangs sexual violence out to dry, Chicas Tacos builds a better (and unconventional) taco, Longtime ambassador at Five Crowns restaurant gets help from his community, Encore: Summer concerts and Sunset Cinema return to OC Parks. Some of the terms and procedures the new rules require are vague, or not clearly defined. But many of the students that went up to the podium spoke glowingly of their teacher. A proposal to finalize Orange County Board of Education seats in the November general election, not a primary election, soon could be taken up by the California legislature. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). According to the Associated Press, there are more than 30 school board recall efforts nationwide. But critics of the rich donor-funded national book ban campaign that Farrant has moved to advance in Orange County call foul on this notion. Robert Aguilar, an organizer of a parent committee to recall Los Alamitos School Board members, served three board members with "notice of intention to circulate recall petition" Tuesday night. Critics, however, say that schools have melded the two and that the ideas of critical race theory have seeped into K-12 curricula, teaching children that people are divided into groups, with some as victims who are oppressed, and whites as the oppressors, leading to divisiveness and intolerance. During a rule development workshop on Tuesday focused on redeveloping policy regarding classroom and library materials in Orange County Public Schools to be in compliance with state law, school board members spent over an hour reaffirming their commitment to the protection of LGBTQ students, in response to comments from first-term board member Alicia Farrant, a member of the conservative activist group Moms for Liberty. One student credited the teacher for helping her improve her grades in science. 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. Brazil earned his bachelors degree in anthropology at UC Berkeley. And most of all, thank you for advocating for your children and their future.. School Board Services There are eight members that make up the Orange County School Board. Dr. Rebecca Romo, a clinical psychologist who lives in the district, refuted a recall website calling the teacher's pronoun incident and a similar incident when a teacher asked students about their sexual identity at another middle school as grooming kids for sexual activity. For more in-depth information on this candidate, follow the links for each tab in this section. Comments shall be limited to three minutes per person and thirty minutes for all comments. Superintendent, Cypress School District, Dr. George Giokaris (ret.) Ron DeSantis' controversial education policies. Last August, the Orange County board sued Newsom to reopen schools that had been closed because of COVID-19. Phone: 714.966.4012. 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 One parent called it a waste of time and money and at the expense of the students' education. "Until a child feels valued, they are not going to engageWe have to continue to be progressive. Security and officers milled around. Enter your address to get a personalized list of candidates and ballot measures, including biographies, top priorities, who supports each candidate, and more. Castor Dentel is a former OCPS teacher and legislator as well as daughter of Florida's former education commissioner, Betty Castor and Teresa Jacobs is the former Orange County mayor. The Los Alamitos school board is not alone. 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. kristin.erickson@orangeusd.org "This type of respectful question does not groom students or attempt to convert them, but demonstrates to them that they are respected and that they have an ally.". Hillsborough County School Board member Jessica Vaughn, whom DeSantis recently targeted for defeat in the 2024 election, suggested the survey and letter were timed to send a message as the . There was some concern, 'Why would an adult man be asking minor children under the age of 14 about their sexuality?'". Board members disputed that there is a scientific basis for masking schoolchildren. Board of Education. Schools and caregivers have the opportunity to look at whether or not a child has immunizations, its already in place, its been in place for a number of years, Gomez said. Those little yellow cards, I bet if we ask where those are for our children, half of us wouldnt know, Gomez said. Board of Ed nor OCDE would have a role in setting policy relating to vaccinations.. And I'm not happy. Meanwhile, in Costa Mesa, the Orange County Board of Education held its own press conference and later hosted a special meeting with invited speakers on the same topics: ethnic studies and the more controversial critical race theory, also known as CRT. Instead, they stacked the panel with political partisans to create a white paper and then pretended it was the product of a serious, robust discussion. The school system retains control over what links will be placed on system-related websites; however, the linked sites themselves are not under the control of the school system, its agents, or its employees. The California Department of Public Health said the lawsuit is a distraction from COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Next year, a recall election could occur if the group gathers enough signatures and the registrar's office verifies them. Are they trans? Paul took exception to a young student who spoke up earlier in support of the LBGTQ community. That I am a bigot, that Im a hater., She added, When parents are coming in, they're frustrated and asking for a higher standard, it is not to marginalize children, or to, you know, make certain children feel like they're not good enough. 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. Subject: Reapportioning school district. Approving the annual budget of the Orange County Department of Education, Receiving the annual audit of the Orange County Department of Education, Maintaining an awareness of the operations and financial conditions of the school districts in the county, Approving the purchase of property for department programs, Serving as Orange Countys appeal board for the adjudication of expulsion appeals and interdistrict attendance appeals, Representing Orange Countys education community and families at the local, county, state, and national level, Informing local communities about the programs and achievements of the Orange County Department of Education, Keep the county focused on learning and achievement for all students, Govern in a dignified and professional manner, treating everyone with civility and respect, Govern within board-adopted policies and procedures, Provide opportunities for input on a diverse range of views from the community to ensure informed board deliberations. "And the fact that it is happening at that grade and lower is sexualizing our children in the classroom formally. Many in our community feel that, you know, we can lets look at the children as a whole, and let's focus on their character development, not necessarily what sexuality they have, or maybe religion they have or, you know, where they maybe originated from.. At least two districts, Santa Ana Unified and Anaheim Union High, have decided to make ethnic studies a requirement for high school graduation, something California legislators also are considering as a statewide mandate. Byrd, an OCPS parent and a former teacher, decided it was time to bring her experience to the board. Shalby grew up in Southern California and graduated from George Washington University. Proponents estimate they'll have to collect between 1,600 to 1,800 signatures from registered voters at each targeted recalled trustee's district. Four of the five members were present at the meeting. I think this district has done a good job of making sure that kids all feel included, Farrant said. Orange County Public Schools Nov 2018 - Present4 years 6 months United States The board is responsible for setting policy and meeting requirements set by the Florida Legislature and State. Instead, they stacked the panel with political partisans to create a white paper and then pretended it was the product of a serious, robust discussion. Barke stated they would pursue yet another lawsuit. The content on this site is licensed with a Creative Commons license. The Voter's Edge California voter guide provides in-depth information about what's on your ballot. Superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District, Dr. Chuck Hinman (ret.) Many speakers have also mentioned that the county should not mandate vaccines for children or adults. The board also approves the annual budget of the Orange County Department of Education, which is distinct from the board. In July, the board sparked outrage when it voted to reopen schools in the fall without mandatory masks or increased social distancing. "The Orange County Board of Education provides educational opportunities for Orange County students, promotes student achievement, and offers leadership, services, and resources for Orange County school districts, educators, and the community." Meet the Board Meet the five members of the Orange County Board of Education. The school system is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. Melissa Moran, who has a daughter in the teacher's class, told the board that the pronoun question was a sign of respect. Classroom and library materials, interpreted as anything made available to a child in the school according to OCPS deputy general counsel John Palmerini, cannot be pornographic, harmful to minors, or obscene the latter two of which are defined the same legally, Palmerini told the school board. "To constantly bring it back to making sure that the LGBT community feels uplifted, I think this district has done, you know, gone above and beyond," she added. Or is he a victim because hes half Persian and a minority?. An overflow room contained more parents and students standing and waiting for their chance to speak. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG), Rabbi Stephen Einstein speaks during a press conference by Truth in Education in Newport Beach, CA, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Email Office 365. Board Member And while cases of a multisystem inflammatory syndrome known as MIS-C that has infected some children exposed to the coronavirus are rare, they can be serious. Board member Williams concurred, adding that the opinion of residents was key to the decision. Board meetings have become a political battleground, where intense debates rage on about student mask mandates, ethnic studies and other issues. The OC Board of Education filed two lawsuits against the elected OC Superintendent of Schools. Board Member As Florida school districts face a rising number of challenges to the presence of LGBTQ-themed books in schools, Farrant said the Orange County school district has gone above and beyond in affirming LGBTQ youth to a fault. At Newport-Mesa Unified District, the current policy is similar: Indoor masking will be required, and any issue that arises will prompt a discussion with the student and parent. Last year, protests erupted when the board considered and later approved an optional ethnic studies curriculum for the high school and social justice teaching standards for district teachers. User Options. The board called the governors and executive agencies use of emergency decrees a violation of constitutional and statutory law, referring to the latest student mask rule as a burden that compounds the harm to Californias children previously caused by prior school closures and unwarranted masking requirements.. Ron DeSantis. 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.