[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6295952,"mediaKeyId","2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582","parentId",2518929,"title","Board adopts 2nd interim budget, approves Rancho Sonata prequalification and lease‑leaseback steps; approves closure memorandum for Unity charter","audioSeconds",5284,"startMs",15382000,"endMs",20666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582&start=15382&end=20666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582/thumbnail_15382000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6295952/California/Board-adopts-2nd-interim-budget-approves-Rancho-Sonata-prequalification-and-leaseleaseback-steps-approves-closure-memorandum-for-Unity-charter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295952-c7f0938cc79895263fd4fed807021549/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789996&Signature=FT3gU5GcspHYkG10vec-ErMNX8jVsGbOk7c4gpcM~~39zG2gaa6MkSAJK~9QOyR~TtKgm2jgRfF~17Df4pUo-00hMsdduddJawtjTestr1UMzl6ZsJoJ7RxFaafjoD~Do0qxyl-BLX20x3DTWVxIYPH75BGamA7KT5KycNDgAZhAYLVeEVrYgbhcXxwWkrrVjE9w42iUuLmWwHX968a6hYI3ErAlj64eIC4oOYpDfpleNpv~mv2zHA4p~VVgLdejZVrPWARopkTsQArUA7JUMjpAhz7nyrjYf48IptqHaYtPvSookp-5bqMn7mJ0kyXvUl8kEXWQyD2NfpHhDL4dfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County Department of Education","date","2025-03-06T13:41:13.947Z","article","The Orange County Board of Education approved several formal actions March 5 including adoption of the department’s second interim financial report, authorization to prequalify contractors and to use a lease‑leaseback delivery method for Rancho Sonata site work, and a memorandum of understanding to oversee the closure of Unity Charter School.

Lede: By unanimous vote the Board of Education accepted the OCDE second interim financial report, approved procurement steps for Rancho Sonata, and authorized a closure MOU for Unity, while staff stressed continuity for students and careful oversight of construction contracts.

Nut graf: The second interim report incorporates the governor’s January budget proposal, updates OCDE revenue and expenditure forecasts through Jan. 31 and shows an operating deficit driven largely by planned one‑time capital investments. The board also moved forward on Rancho Sonata design and procurement to modernize OCDE’s outdoor education facilities, and accepted a voluntary closure agreement with Unity to ensure students finish the school year with minimal disruption.

Key votes and decisions:
- Second interim finance report: The board voted to adopt the report and a ‘‘positive’’ certification of OCDE’s ability to meet its obligations; the motion passed 5–0. Staff said the current‑year deficit is largely driven by one‑time capital projects (Rancho Sonata modernization, conference center upgrades and site furniture) and that ongoing revenues and expenditures remain aligned.
- Rancho Sonata procurement: The board approved Resolution 525 to authorize prequalification of contractors for the Rancho Sonata project and Resolution 625 to authorize use of the lease‑leaseback construction delivery method and associated RFP/contract templates; both resolutions passed 5–0. Staff noted lease‑leaseback will allow earlier contractor engagement and “best value” evaluation rather than lowest‑bid awarding; DSA review and standard DSA timelines remain part of the schedule.
- Unity Charter School closure: Unity’s governing board chose to close and entered a memorandum of understanding with OCDE to govern the closure process, protect students and manage records and assets; the board approved the MOU 5–0. OCDE staff said closure steps will preserve continuity of service through June 30 and provide transition assistance to families.

Budget context and next steps: OCDE staff reviewed the governor’s January proposal, which raises the state’s Prop. 98 guarantee but includes a proposed maneuver that leaves about $1.6 billion of the current year guarantee unappropriated pending revenue confirmation. OCDE staff said revenue uncertainty and fluctuating attendance drive conservative budgeting; staff will present the May revise assumptions in June when the preliminary budget is returned for final adoption.

Ending: Trustees praised staff for the budget presentation and asked for continued updates on Rancho Sonata design, facility utilities (well, septic, fire hydrants) and financing. OCDE staff said the DSA review and procurement schedule aim for construction to begin early 2026 with completion in 2027, subject to DSA and funding timelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orange County, CA Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to adopt OCDE’s second interim financial report, approved resolutions to prequalify contractors and to use a lease‑leaseback method for Rancho Sonata construction, and accepted a memorandum of understanding to close Unity Charter School and protect students through June 30.","taxTitle","Orange County Department of Education, School Districts, California","taxId",73559,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295957,"Magnolia Science Academy seeks material revision to open Anaheim campuses; trustees hear student and parent testimonials",1025,13800000,14825000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582&start=13800&end=14825","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582/thumbnail_13800000.jpg","/articles/6295957/California/Magnolia-Science-Academy-seeks-material-revision-to-open-Anaheim-campuses-trustees-hear-student-and-parent-testimonials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295957-345a0f0e37ce35898b3d2f97aa1a3597/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789996&Signature=NTHnXnjGiirJkwRbr51YDStdyXJoJJ~wZg43viftE57N3pvn9B2McerqK06ZYp7C84mQgkPRqc3hIosZGV8quTul30REqA30PkrQLIoPW9HpbtjcAfRqbaX3GLG1kb6W7Duyy5VEyRW3ZQA5OAPwIMFvaoynomyVoO-IIKkFfhMLqFPgceQXtlhtooieTIeZAKXEQLhE6mZ86JnYrhmwP3csl4WogwcyDXIT6iE-7Ss1JuLzVtWxjNsXr3iXwDm~xQQtZHB-WyNO8BcwuRQqMm4D3yy9RYzt8kf5P8X4cTtiOp2otpm6OEYNEA2WPe7FpkM41cEcGh-OvwVTFJCckw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Magnolia Science Academy Orange County asked the Board of Education March 5 to approve a material revision to its countywide charter petition that would add new campuses in Anaheim and Placentia‑Yorba Linda.

Founding principal Dr. Maria Rao told trustees the school collected more than 200 meaningful interest signatures during a recent Prop. 39 outreach process in Placentia‑Yorba Linda and said families in the target area want a STEAM‑focused, TK–12 program. Magnolia representatives said the targeted neighborhood’s demographics resemble the applicant’s existing Santa Ana campus and stressed the school’s emphasis on family engagement, food distribution partnerships and continuity across grade levels.

Why it matters: a material revision that adds facilities changes access for Anaheim families and can shift enrollment patterns across nearby elementary and secondary schools. Trustees said testimony from current Magnolia students and parents was persuasive and requested the usual staff diligence on oversight, facility availability and capacity before acting.

Public comment included a fourth‑grader who spoke about student council, drama and math contest placements and a parent who described improvements in her child’s speech and academic confidence after enrolling in Magnolia’s Santa Ana campus.

What’s next: OCDE will publish staff recommendations and findings by March 18; the board will hold a hearing and take action on the material revision at its April 2 meeting.

Ending: Magnolia representatives said they are in escrow on a private facility in Anaheim and expect a Prop. 39 reply from Placentia‑Yorba Linda shortly; trustees asked staff to review capacity and the districts’ Prop. 39 offers as part of the forthcoming staff report.","Magnolia Science Academy Orange County requested a material revision to open new campuses in Anaheim and Placentia‑Yorba Linda; presenters described community outreach, enrollment interest and plans to open two sites if approved; board staff will publish recommendations for an April action.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295962,"Board hears petition for Tustin International Charter School; trustees ask for enrollment, financial and oversight details",1222,10795000,12017000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582&start=10795&end=12017","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582/thumbnail_10795000.jpg","/articles/6295962/California/Board-hears-petition-for-Tustin-International-Charter-School-trustees-ask-for-enrollment-financial-and-oversight-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295962-d7f9fd56ca19ca0da35b26a9906debc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789996&Signature=l41WC8H0lhpw0d0OJR7naXUu-v-S80Nt-LLfloU-8I4eGFDz-a615RFVitayNHS0OvuyNA9z9WXtGd6OnQ-Q9GS03DSu8ZBtagv347n9KhATZzoGRI20ZGH9zA5EJuCIVvUin8KLYkqrnkPEZ-OsmqGkH79stDjC6sNxqpLkFUl2BSxJHdzJQ23tnEge~uLH7JLaZfc~l1gXN8CdEsQsEZItYz1qCOQ2UKnE7T5ywvzdEhgjAh9P6GZ5qnhlfhBr-kgNUZf4upu9ULnZpuBzjen7ZEHZ3gae0y0xI-gWLlf8hSj3wjYB6Tdj0-ctb3mO7zkIsTyQMSGl46A9scgzlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County Board of Education held a public hearing March 5 on a charter appeal from Tustin International Charter School, which proposes a Mandarin-English immersion program for transitional kindergarten through fifth grade.

Petition leaders described a 50/50 Mandarin-English immersion model, STEAM coursework and a plan to open initial classes from TK to fourth grade in year one with a projected enrollment around 228 students. The petitioners said they expect to operate two classes per grade (one Mandarin, one English) and to hire a native Mandarin teacher and an English teacher for each classroom pair.

Why it matters: bilingual immersion programs are in demand across Orange County, and petitioners told the board they plan to expand availability for families in Tustin and nearby cities. Trustees said they support providing parental choice but must be satisfied the petitioner has the leadership, facility and funding stability to open and sustain a school.

Petition presenters identified several potential start‑up funding partners, including Silicon Schools Fund, Charter School Growth Fund and New Schools Venture Fund; petitioners and their business manager also said they would apply for the state Public Charter Schools Grant Program if the charter is approved. The presenters said those philanthropic commitments are contingent on board approval and, in some cases, on formal proof of a site and enrollment commitments.

Trustees pressed petition leaders on leadership and governance history: some trustees asked about earlier petitions and community complaints reported to trustees about management practices at a prior site where petition leaders previously worked. Petition leaders disputed the characterization and said they have worked to address past concerns; they also described ongoing technical assistance from charter support groups but said formal membership in the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) cannot occur until a charter is approved.

Trustees asked for additional documentation before a decision: a larger, documented enrollment interest list (especially for students residing in Tustin Unified), clearer commitments from the identified funders and a facility plan, including whether the petition’s Prop. 39 request to Tustin Unified School District will be satisfied and which school site would be used if Prop. 39 space is assigned.

Public comment included a mix of parent testimonials in support; one parent described severe wait lists in nearby Mandarin immersion schools. Tustin Unified did not appear at the hearing.

What’s next: Board staff will publish their recommendations by March 15. The board will hold a second public hearing and is scheduled to vote on the petition at its April 2 meeting.

Ending: Petitioners are invited to return with additional documentation on enrollment commitments, firm facility plans and finalized funding agreements ahead of the April 2 action.","Petitioners seeking to open a Mandarin-English immersion elementary charter in Tustin presented curriculum, enrollment and budgeting plans; trustees asked for clearer evidence of community demand, a finalized charter authorizer/partner support letter and firm financing commitments before the board acts April 2.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6295966,"County supervisors reassign investment oversight after concerns about treasurer operations; OCDE seeks seat at oversight table",2393,7944000,10337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582&start=7944&end=10337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2518929-16101b8d4f8560244a324d59c618c582/thumbnail_7944000.jpg","/articles/6295966/California/County-supervisors-reassign-investment-oversight-after-concerns-about-treasurer-operations-OCDE-seeks-seat-at-oversight-table","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295966-414716975e4947eb80d388557aeea5f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770789996&Signature=Jsq7VrbP~p4-j4mtSB72y1dNw0N3pmmXV8900U0VhI0pqoCr5OeQ4ye7zrlvEA15P6u960B7jjG6yrGf~fCJUIE~rBFcRoCi8V35dDibUYP8RmpFiAwXqPp~DErq1zicm2wDu-dKxnqm6xZFU2Nt6r7wp20jcmWq4xZtxCP60s4SJnb7HIahmm9L2b6YVnWA9aifOuULn4T-yt1aR19NeRZcChaN7wgTjCrVqHuFxT~KdWBoffi2LPKjYmUhTAJGaEZYJwt-AzRDnDb57GRjAjhrIxkfSr~agXt1xxlmT~6h1eVA075HAmHhuzEDjsnAgm8yYah9yCygYkBY0d21Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County Board of Education heard an update March 5 about changes the County Board of Supervisors has made to county investment oversight after the supervisors voted to transfer investment decision authority away from the elected treasurer.

The change, announced publicly in recent weeks, moves day-to-day decisionmaking out of the treasurer’s office and into county executive management and their hired investment professionals. County Supervisor Don Wagner briefed the board on the supervisors’ reasoning and on steps they say they have taken to preserve safety of principal for the county’s pooled investments, which the county and OCDE staff described as roughly $17 billion in assets and about $8 billion held on behalf of education entities.

Why it matters: districts and charter schools in Orange County are required by state law to deposit local and state operating funds with the county treasurer. The county pool’s size and the timing of deposits and disbursements mean any change to who oversees the investments has immediate operational and trust implications for school business officers and superintendents across the county.

Supervisor Wagner told the board the supervisors acted after reviewing personnel and operational problems in the treasurer’s office that they said risked the investment function. Wagner said the board’s unanimous decision will ‘‘pull back’’ investment authority and vest oversight in the county chief executive and finance officers working with contracted investment advisers. He said the county has told national rating agencies the change is being handled with professional oversight and that the county’s credit rating remains intact.

Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Sherry Friederich addressed the board during public comment and in a separate staff briefing. Friederich, who said she has served as the county’s elected treasurer for 14 years, told the board her office continues to act as the county’s banker and custodian of deposits and that operations and reporting remain in place. She noted long‑term performance metrics the county pool has posted in peer comparisons and said annual audits and the county annual financial report have had clean opinions in recent years.

Dean West, OCDE’s assistant superintendent who oversees business services, told trustees OCDE staff have been in touch with county staff and that OCDE expects operations to continue without interruption. West said he and Superintendent Stephen Bean have requested a formal seat for the county superintendent on the reconstituted oversight body; county staff told the board a seat for a county superintendent designee is part of the current plan.

Trustees pressed county staff and OCDE for details about checks and balances, the new oversight committee’s membership and safeguards against operational lapses. Several trustees, and members of the public with long experience on county oversight bodies, urged that the new oversight structure preserve independent, technically qualified review and not fold investment oversight into broader audit duties.

What’s next: County staff said they expect to finalize the oversight committee structure soon and that OCDE will receive formal notice of the committee’s membership and remit. OCDE staff said they will continue to press for a formal, voting seat on the oversight body and will provide monthly updates to the Board of Education.

Ending: The board did not take an action on this item. Trustees asked that OCDE continue to monitor the transition closely and requested a follow‑up report if the county’s approach changes or if staff identify risks that could affect school funds.","Orange County supervisors voted to move investment decision authority away from the elected treasurer, citing operational concerns; Orange County Department of Education officials and the county treasurer told the Board of Education the county’s pooled investments remain secure and said they will seek a formal seat on the new oversight body.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts 2nd interim budget, approves Rancho Sonata prequalification and lease‑leaseback steps; approves closure memorandum for Unity charter

Magnolia Science Academy seeks material revision to open Anaheim campuses; trustees hear student and parent testimonials

Board hears petition for Tustin International Charter School; trustees ask for enrollment, financial and oversight details

County supervisors reassign investment oversight after concerns about treasurer operations; OCDE seeks seat at oversight table