Schools lose. She previously served two terms as Orange County Mayor (2010-2018) and two terms as an Orange County Commissioner (2000-2008). Not educrats, not administrators but constituents.. Thu, Apr 6, 2023 at 9:42 am. 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. Farrant responded to her colleagues criticism defensively, and also later defended her use of the term "trans whatever" in reference to a theoretical transgender student during a January school board meeting. According to a tracker from the Florida Freedom to Read Project, a parent-led activist group that's critical of book banning (and Farrant, for that matter), at least 11 books have been challenged or removed from Orange County Public Schools, including Genderqueer (a book Farrant herself challenged) and This Book is Gay. 200 Kalmus Drive Dean of Communications, Chapman University. Email Us. Website Publishing Policy, This website is maintained by the Roxana Kopetman is a staff writer at The Orange County Register. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. A stand-alone recall could cost the Los Alamitos School District tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Learn More. Board Member jortegajr@orangeusd.org Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Are they Bi? She should resign. The O.C. Mark Celestin, a longtime teacher, coach and educator in the district, commended the board and urged them to continue their good work. 12010 | franklin.mccune@orange.k12.nc.us. But many of the students that went up to the podium spoke glowingly of their teacher. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). That could be due to concerns over the Delta variant or perhaps mask policies, though there has not been much mask pushback. As the Orange County Board of Education, and in conjunction with its own California County Boards of Education and the California School Boards Association Professional Governance Standards, we have an agreed upon understanding of our unity of purpose to: Each board member receives $562.61 for compensation for attendance at meeting(s) of the Orange County Board of Education each month. She deferred the cost question to the Los Alamitos school district. Number: AGO 80-26. 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. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), The Orange County Board of Education, left, listens to a speaker during public comments at a town hall meeting to discuss ethnic studies and critical race theory in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Ron DeSantis. The District 3 and. One was settled for. Established in 1987, the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools develops and focuses community resources to make a meaningful difference in the success of Orange County Public Schools students and teachers . The first two lawsuits were dismissed, but the November 2021 lawsuit is pending. 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. They also said they will emphasize the importance of teaching ethnic studies, not just in Orange County but nationwide. Before joining the Daily Pilot in September 2016, he was a reporter for City News Service, a Southern California-based news service. AAP has previously said that universal masking is key to reducing transmission largely because a significant number of students are not yet eligible for a vaccine. The district is made upof residents in Seal Beach, Rossmoor, Los Alamitos and parts of Cypress. They ignored almost four thousand community comments in support of masks and social distancing and received four that supported their position. They have exploited their positions to pursue their own political agendas. Click here to sign up to receive email notifications about all regular and special called OCS School Board meetings. The Board stands side-by-side with Orange County residents against mandatory vaccinations, particularly of school-age children, the boards statement reads. Orange County School Board members approved the names for the two high schools and a middle school during their meeting Tuesday, Dec. 8. This earned her swift pushback from her colleagues. That being said, I think the digital vaccine passport needs to be implemented with enormous care and not kind of cobbled together overnight at the drop of a hat.. Please send your comments to the Board of Education at: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA 92867, Orange Unified EDGE - Strategic Plan 2019-2025. ayamasaki@orangeusd.org The bottom line - No matter who wins in court, taxpayers lose. Please send your comments to the Board of Education at: board@orangeusd.org Rick Ledesma rledesma@orangeusd.org Board President Trustee Area 7* Term: 2022-2026 John Ortega Seven are elected from the single district which they represent, where each must reside in that district; and one is elected county-wide and serves as the Chair of the School Board. He said the board is reinforcing and echoing the beliefs of people who are hesitant to get a vaccine. Principal, San Juan Hills High School, Dr. Dan Burch (ret.) Los Alamitos Unified Superintendent Andrew Pulver did not return a Spectrum News request for comment. Virtual learning could be an alternative for students who decline to wear a mask, public relations officer Annette Franco said, but most are opting for in-person instruction. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within. These kids hear every single word that comes out of the mouths of the adults around them, and I would really caution people to be careful about the words they use.. Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School District, Dr. Fred Navarro (ret.) "What he did was in line with the law," said Sells to Spectrum News. Santa Ana was one of the regions hit hardest by COVID-19. As Orange County wrestles with vaccine hesitancy, the countys Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a statement against mandatory vaccinations and a resolution against digital vaccine passports. The Board of Education can be reached by calling (714) 628-4487. But where the conflict arises is on whether, in fact, society is designed to perpetuate racism or whether we have continued to make progress towards a more just society, thanks to the work of all ethnicities, color and backgrounds, In many of its iterations, CRT seems to reject the idea that America is a fundamentally free country, born out of lofty aspirations, and concludes instead that our country is fundamentally flawed and designed only to protect white privilege.. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s anti-vaccine organization, Childrens Health Defense, joined this lawsuit. "However, there are parents that believe that is not the place for a science teacher. As the fourth largest district in the state, it is home to 202 schools and 206,058 students. The school system provides links as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the site by the school system. But there is a great push for everyone in the community to align with the beliefs of the LGBT community.. As I have done throughout my career in education, kids come first and will remain my focus.". Superintendent West Covina Unified School District, Beverly Hempstead (ret.) The bottom line - Undermining public schools undermines the quality of our kids education and the quality of our communities. I dont need to become a genetically modified organism which is literally, literally, truthfully, what this will do to people, because this vaccine is an mRNA vaccine, its not really a vaccine like anything thats ever happened before., A woman named Laurie said Chaus presumed intent was destructive and evil., We should all refuse to be strong-armed into accepting the COVID passport on any experimental drug, especially this mRNA one, she said. What the O.C. Board members Mari Barke, Tim Shaw, Lisa Sparks and Ken Williams were present for the Tuesday vote. Hansen began serving as interim superintendent in September 2017 and was appointed full superintendent in December 2017. Aguilar, who claims to represent 2,000 parents in the district, is attempting to recall three board members Megan Cutuli, Scott Fayette, and Chris Forehan who were elected last year and starting four-year terms. Board meetings have become a political battleground, where intense debates rage on about student mask mandates, ethnic studies and other issues. The number of "A" schools in Orange County Public Schools improved, with 59 schools earning an "A" in 2021-22 compared to 39 that would have received an "A" in 2020-21, if school . Board of Education is doing is making a statement that they wont allow involuntary vaccination of Orange County children, but nobodys saying that thats going to happen, Noymer said. Visit Us. kristin.erickson@orangeusd.org Instead, we are forced to navigate through these recent laws and their negative impact on our students education and our teachers ability to do their jobs., This letter from State Attorney Monique Worrell to Gov. It's the same thing. ", Aguilar added that parents are pushing for a recall because they feel that adult teachers should not be discussing sexuality with their minor children without consent or cause.. Spectrum News is not naming the teacher because there is no criminal wrongdoing. (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. From among its members, the Board elects a president and a vice president. Many corporations and colleges have adopted it and included it in their corporate and student handbooks. Currently, the county is dealing with how to educate the public to combat vaccine hesitancy. School boards have become a political war zone in the battle for the next generation's minds and beliefs. Aug. 4, 2021 11:46 AM PT. Even a tiny comment could twist a kid's brain.". The OC Board of Education filed two lawsuits against the elected OC Superintendent of Schools. 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. The Voter's Edge California voter guide provides in-depth information about what's on your ballot. 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. Board of Education nor OCDE determines the curriculum of local districts, said OCDE spokesman Ian Hanigan in an email. The content on this site is licensed with a Creative Commons license. These video overviews represent the most widely requested counseling sessions that are available for students and staff. I never read about any characters like me in a single book in elementary, middle or high school.. Student Assessment and Educational Measurement, 2023 Community Open House & School Showcases, Governance & Leadership Team Agreements & Protocols, AED Information for Staff (Login Required), Accountability, Equity and School Support, District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC Title I), Educational Technology Advisory Committee (ETAC), Special Education Community Advisory Committee, Digital Citizenship Curriculum and Lessons, Elementary Parent Curriculum Guides & Report Card Handbooks, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC), Section 5.0 - School Site Assessments & Plans, Section 5.2 - Canyon High School Feeder Schools, Section 5.3 - El Modena High School Feeder Schools, Section 5.4 - Orange High School Feeder Schools, Section 5.5 - Villa Park High School Feeder Schools, Stakeholder Community Engagement & Surveys, CUPCCAA - California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, You've Got the EDGE - Monthly Recognition, Hot Weather Guidance for Athletic Practice, 2022-2023 Plan Basado en La Seguridad y La Salud, Measure S Procurement & Bid Opportunities, Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation Website. The School Board is comprised of those community members elected to set policy and direction for the local school district. Published - October 4, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG), Roselinn Lee, a teacher in the Santa Ana Unified School District, speaks during a press conference by Truth in Education in Newport Beach, CA, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. In 2020, the Board of Education promoted guidelines calling on kids to return to school without masks or social distancing, and the Board majority largely defended the guidelines by noting they were formulated by a panel of experts. However, the report was written by OC Board member Ken Williams and Will Swaim, president of the California Policy Center, who also moderated the panel. (Voice of OC, 2020). We have to be inclusive. "Right now, I am actually pretty appalled at the CRT training indoctrination of our students," said Dorothy. Recently, county Board of Supervisors meetings have been overtaken by dozens of members of the public who have railed against vaccine passports. Orange County Public Schools is located in Orlando, Florida. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Access additional information about this contest in the tabs in this section. For the 2021-2022 school year, the district mandated that all employees and students wear face masks while inside facilities or in vehicles with others in the car. Comments shall be limited to three minutes per person and thirty minutes for all comments. Capistrano Unified School District, for example, said it is still reviewing state guidance and working out plans ahead of the Aug. 17 start date. Thank candidate for sharing their information on Voter's Edge. Trustee Area 4*, Kris Erickson The voter guide includes descriptions of each California ballot measure and who is spending money for and against each measure. Trustee Area 6*, Andrea Yamasaki Orange County Commissioners discuss tax appeal bias, opioid crisis relief funding ; Orange County Schools Board of Education approves 2024 fiscal year budget 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. #3 - Stop Using the Board of Education as a Partisan Political Platform. 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. 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. mminer@orangeusd.org 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. Demensio Barton and Carl Brewer both will . "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. I agree with them that forcibly vaccinating anyone, let alone a child, would be an evil thing. He previously covered Huntington Beach for the Daily Pilot. Supporters of Californians state-mandated ethnic studies during a press conference by Truth in Education in Newport Beach, CA, on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Parents like Henny Abraham of Costa Mesa criticized proposals to introduce a curriculum that she said is divisive. Orange County School District Hillsborough, North Carolina Translate Language. This is in direct violation of Nuremberg trials and using everyone as guinea pigs.. With the help of well-funded outside political groups, parents have launched offensives attempting to recall school board members across the state and nation. The OC Board of Education has sued Governor Newsom three times since the summer of 2020. You can access your list by navigating to 'My Choices'. Superintendent, Newport Mesa Unified School District, Dr. Suzette Lovely (ret.) One student credited the teacher for helping her improve her grades in science. The Orange County board did not present any data that showed adverse effects of masking on children, or acknowledge public health studies that have shown masking reduces the spread of the virus. Gomez said schools already have the ability to look at a registry for immunizations in California. Superintendent, Carlsbad Unified School District, Kathy Kessler (ret.) The Nuremberg Trials were military tribunals held after World War II to prosecute Nazis who took part in the Holocaust and committed war crimes. The parents blame the school board for fostering what they say is a growing leftist woke agenda, said Staci Muller, a Seal Beach resident who pulled out her two kids from the district and spoke at Tuesday's school board meeting. Ken L. Williams, Jr., D.O. Apr 23. The mostly right-wing board has stirred controversy, especially during the pandemic. Trustee Area 2*, Angie Rumsey Spotlight Schools conducted individual Zoom interviews with each of the candidates as well as exchanged emails. Subject: Reapportioning school district. Member Lisa Sparks attended by phone. Camryn Pak is a reporting intern for The Orange County Register from north Orange County. One was settled for $3.2 million in attorney fees. Join OCS and NC Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, for an exclusive "OCS Night of Poetry" on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Cedar Ridge High School from 6:00-7:30 P.M. Student poets from Cedar Ridge, Orange, and Partnership Academy High School will read their original poetry, and local authors will attend and read their original poems. Ive always wanted to believe in your heart and that you're here for every student, Jacobs offered generously, speaking to Farrant. We have a rich and wide variety of races and ethnicities in OC. Byrd, an OCPS parent and a former teacher, decided it was time to bring her experience to the board. And I'm not happy. Franklin McCuneAdministrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Board Specialist, 200 E. King Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278(919) 732-8126 ext. 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. apage@orangeusd.org Enter your address to get a personalized list of candidates and ballot measures, including biographies, top priorities, who supports each candidate, and more. Board Member The board voted 4-1 in favor of each, with the only dissenting votes coming from board member Rebecca Gomez, who serves Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, portions of Garden Grove and portions of Tustin. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within. 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. School board member Melissa Byrd, sharing her own thoughts on Farrant's comments, didnt mince words. While I support parents, and I am a very big supporter of parents opting out of inappropriate content that they believe for their child is inappropriate, I do not support other parents telling my kids what they can and can't read at the policy level, at the district level, or the state level because I don't want other parents to parent my children with their values, Salamanca said. Stop the reckless waste of tax dollars, over $5 million and counting, and stand up to career politicians. 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 . 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. Forehan, the trustee for the district's Area 2, explained that he always acts in the best interest of the students, staff and community. "It's best practice to make kids feel included by allowing them to use their proper pronoun, and since doing so, [the teacher] has been under attack by people who have misconstrued what that actually means.". (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG), Eight protesters stand outside the Orange County Board of Education prior to the start of a town hall meeting to discuss ethnic studies and critical race theory at the Orange County Board of Education in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The Orange County Board of Education which last year unsuccessfully sued Gov. School board districts are not analogous in any way with county commission districts. There's so many things. Im not sure what the point of this resolution is.. "Until a child feels valued, they are not going to engageWe have to continue to be progressive. How districts choose to enforce the rule on campus is up to them. She also said that the paper cards given to people when they are vaccinated could be difficult to keep track of. The board also approves the annual budget of the Orange County Department of Education, which is distinct from the board. *All mail correspondence to and from the Orange County Schools is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in disclosure to third parties. 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. Josh, a Rossmoor resident, told the board that money spent on a recall is money diverted away from a school and a student's education. 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.