[{"_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",6091831,"mediaKeyId","2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8","parentId",2858087,"title","Board adopts set of legislative positions; opposes statewide mandate shifting county election timing","audioSeconds",1455,"startMs",12663000,"endMs",14118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8&start=12663&end=14118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8/thumbnail_12663000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6091831/California/Board-adopts-set-of-legislative-positions-opposes-statewide-mandate-shifting-county-election-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091831-ccb08b5e9f92104faf3d93c66b1cffbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448033&Signature=fscuufF7FhPx9D9mBQNchMtnDEaiT81agCP9lyi35XXUsV1rqDtV1ePv5Q-jUq-0844yRy5s5b51ZGYH6niTvXe2wHFck0fco-hbrZce6afwlNR95CT83vlyVj64t8GXQnZal1hpdfttxpF99ACHzqeZgp7Tek9OebscQZQ8uCKMldU6zUUhJ5NX6rWcnuVtR5cHS~gmR9OhRKBc5XNljf5xhEIeoSgn~fIak63IZLnNhKuKHhRVSTDzf6GW7sWkpLFOG~VmqQ21Hk32BOnxMx4BkG5RnbZdN8c~4OEG6P59NyuUWpu0goGxCMlz995TB3H5bPvrlY5aF7GwCyeb~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County Department of Education","date","2025-04-03T05:05:46Z","article","The Orange County Board of Education voted April 2 to adopt a set of legislative positions recommended by its legislative committee and contract lobbyists.

After a briefing from SheHe Strategy Group partner Thomas Sheehy about bills of interest in the 2025 legislative session, trustees directed staff to take positions on several priority measures. The positions the board adopted (by roll call) were:
- Support AB 600 (Castillo) — a bill that would let parents request that their students be excused from curriculum, lessons or activities that discuss transgender concepts, and prevent schools from punishing students excused from such activities.
- Support SB 267 (Sen. John Choi) — a bill proposing a refundable state tax credit of up to $250 for qualified out‑of‑pocket teacher expenses, intended to offset classroom supply purchases.
- Support SB 64 (Sen. Shannon Grove) — parent choice proposal previously introduced by the author (board expressed general support for parental choice measures described in the briefing).
- Oppose SB 249 (authored by Assemblymember Umberg / variations described in committee briefing) — a bill that would require certain county boards whose trustee elections now take place in spring primary to consolidate those elections with the November general in even‑numbered years. Trustees recorded unanimous opposition to mandated state changes that staff and the board’s lobbyist warned would create new and recurring state general fund liabilities through the Commission on State Mandates.

Board members said they relied on the legislative committee and the board’s Sacramento lobbyists for analysis; several trustees asked for a user‑friendly format for future position lists. The board directed staff to transmit letters of support or opposition and to make those positions public as part of OCDE’s advocacy work in Sacramento.

Why the vote matters
The SB 249 opposition signaled the board’s intent to resist state‑level changes that would alter local election timing and potentially trigger significant fiscal claims against the state. The board’s support for teacher credit and the parental‑opt‑out measure reflect trustee priorities on parental rights and teacher support. Staff and the district’s lobbyists will transmit formal letters to legislative offices and may testify where hearings are held.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orange County, CA Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After hearing from its Sacramento representative the board voted to adopt several legislative positions including support for teacher tax credit and parent opt‑out legislation, and formal opposition to a bill that would force some county boards to move spring elections to November.","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},6091835,"Public commenters accuse retired judge of politically motivated lawsuit against board member Mary Barkey",1664,3688000,5352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8&start=3688&end=5352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8/thumbnail_3688000.jpg","/articles/6091835/California/Public-commenters-accuse-retired-judge-of-politically-motivated-lawsuit-against-board-member-Mary-Barkey","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091835-048c5c097ced902b0108a477e2a22715/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448033&Signature=WXE1WMrMW8BXZIPcg6H-gpohe4KtK6iatpnnbGBZLrPWR6CuMlEIm5RMJDPU05q2CQssz1ImUs29RYUSqhfNRWC09k0uz6s5vjQAzimX5LCAxGFwyt2EsG9WHQ3K71qNKaypT2PhbdNhmI5yYHrqgsiLLuOxxPqiN6Mccy-jmu5VOM5XdozVDhraBDfX-5XvCyy1cS2ApfPXzsAz8AzB3kIOmfYvPEff0J5iadyWsHHJmDkUhQSjenysh9KDd2gDeI5H5VnD0kOr1vkOuZcZGdSMGFRj0VTTLSB1KHF814XcVs~AiXKSRJTiZocVHrW9kbzZ3Sab3fo3Ndtiadc1Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public used the board’s public comment period on April 2 to denounce a civil lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court by retired federal bankruptcy judge Lynn Riddle against Board Member Mary Barkey (referred to in meeting testimony as \"Burke\"/\"Bark\"). Speakers called the litigation a politically motivated attack and urged the board and community to reject the tactic.

Speakers including Aaron White, Wayne Williams, Carlos Hernandez and others described the suit as an attempt to weaponize the legal system for political ends. Aaron White called the action a \"political motivated legal attack\" and told the board, \"Shame on you, Lynn Riddle.\" Wayne Williams said the use of litigation to \"discredit, distract, and obstruct\" opponents was a troubling local analogue of \"lawfare.\" Multiple speakers identified Riddle as a local Democrat and Barkey as a Republican board member; they urged public disapproval of the lawsuit.

The board did not take action on the public comments during the meeting; public comment is the forum for residents to address trustees. No substantive board response or investigation was announced during the session; staff noted public comments had concluded and the meeting proceeded to agenda items.

","During public comment several residents addressed the board to criticize a civil suit filed by retired Judge Lynn Riddle against Board Member Mary Barkey, calling the action politically motivated and urging censure of the filing.",{"_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},6091840,"OCDE holds budget study session; staff outline multi‑year projection, Prop 98 and pension pressures",14747,898000,15645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8&start=898&end=15645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8/thumbnail_898000.jpg","/articles/6091840/California/OCDE-holds-budget-study-session-staff-outline-multiyear-projection-Prop-98-and-pension-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091840-2a0940316ff284f98216d75c1148d39b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448033&Signature=SqETG6~lUoxML2UiEvyq-adPJGiiuNl85ouEJfSMvMG3VZh1V2PlldS6YcelJ7wXo7~wLKhbWpcwHrKqTtGXsPOLdzRi6bxj~3Z~0-wvTc09fL--Bd4T2UjQ4yRUzAimC~mqZ2dND8pRF8vjdh4e5XKa89kn8lkEE5DMNgjx8T8zGJC3D1NZRPiGJo3pyMHHwzxxoLUA6z2w9idegbybceN~HxheJ8Ubn2~RrHv5hspXqKNjLF5-gM49~Ft9kvdhk93NxC~F39TTz4izGG5fzorDu06yc1HdImfVVUbKP3QoZoZ3B8r-h3Lhr463XXWLT-sZmGE2DxYG0WVVCEb7kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Orange County Department of Education staff presented the board with its budget study session on April 2, detailing the second interim financial report, multiyear projections and state level risks that could affect the county office and local districts.

David (OCDE finance director) walked trustees through the budget book and second interim report. The presentation summarized fund structure, SACS coding fields used in state reporting, and the department’s multi‑year projection. Staff reported an operating deficit forecast for the combined general fund (including restricted categorical programs) of $18.6 million for 2024–25; the unrestricted operating accounts were shown as projecting a $13.1 million deficit before taking out planned one‑time capital projects and other one‑time spending. When one‑time capital expenditures (for example Rancho Sonata project, conference center upgrades and elevator installation) are excluded, staff said the county office’s current‑year structural position was closer to a small surplus.

State and economic context
OCDE staff reviewed the governor’s January proposal and UCLA economic assumptions referenced in the presentation. Highlights included: the Department of Finance’s recently revised revenue estimates that raise the Prop 98 K–12 guarantee, differences with the Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates, and the governor’s proposed partial appropriation of the Prop 98 guarantee for 2024–25 with “settle‑up” language if revenues materialize. Staff noted that the governor’s January proposal estimated roughly $17 billion more in state general fund revenues over a three‑year window relative to the enacted 2024–25 budget act, while the LAO’s estimates were lower by about $10 billion over the same window.

Pension and long‑term pressures
Staff highlighted long‑term employer contribution rates for CalSTRS (projected to remain at 19.1%) and CalPERS (rising further in out years), noting the substantial increase since LCFF implementation in 2013–14. The presentation also summarized district revenue drivers (LCFF funding based on ADA) and the effect of ADA declines on LCFF revenue despite a modest statutory COLA. The presentation flagged several state fiscal risks the LAO has identified, including capital‑gains volatility and elevated unemployment in California compared with the nation.

OCDE projects and capital plans
The department’s multiyear projection included a small projected deficit (about $155,000) for 2025–26 that incorporates planned capital spending for Rancho Sonata and other projects. Staff described procurement steps underway (prequalification of contractors for Rancho Sonata, pre‑bid conferences and a pre‑construction schedule) and other planned capital work including portable replacements and an elevator installation at the Esplanade building.

Next steps
Staff said a May‑Revise‑based preliminary budget will be brought to the board in June with public hearings on the LCAP and the preliminary budget before final adoption in late June. Trustees and staff discussed the sensitivity of projections to state revenues, CalSTRS/CalPERS contributions and lingering one‑time federal COVID funding that must be obligated or liquidated per federal rules.

","Department finance staff presented OCDE’s second interim financial report, described a projected operating deficit for 2024–25, and highlighted statewide risks including Prop 98 maneuvers, CalSTRS/CalPERS contribution increases and the winding down of COVID relief funds.",{"_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},6091845,"Orange County Board approves Magnolia revision, denies Tustin International charter; Compass hearing continued to June",11261,1089000,12350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8&start=1089&end=12350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858087-f66018a8340a8885781b4f27aa485fa8/thumbnail_1089000.jpg","/articles/6091845/California/Orange-County-Board-approves-Magnolia-revision-denies-Tustin-International-charter-Compass-hearing-continued-to-June","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6091845-ce2d923640767ff052feeb71979dd8dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448033&Signature=o-mf6AqqdDJPyKqf7f2PvDVv9D~m4qecXwugvfKLACAhFHhUdbhS0mCa8mS-6OWSFwdV78mZLOBDuOLoGRWYohU6AswCqTZGqYasNk9kdG1k1oR-0lZaHTKDV5EL5oCO-2e~-y-82RednxxEtxW~62lyWZE7nWh6gvoHoh-bYRtNbmxDftuwD~df9SZl-IWporykcoI2pqjXwB4Z6kFDE~JrlBmPKjU2FzCSGjgaTuH8N~Qd4hIEgQftGXPMHBgg1rcp6FYsHNVkD-JLy7JlO~RutZEJfn6IkJ17IGCgmSDKwVTR1zBNepLBBfd956-HGtZM2cAbdDj1561GsKeQ8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County Board of Education on April 2 approved a material revision to Magnolia Science Academy Orange County’s charter and denied a petition by Tustin International Charter School to operate after the Tustin Unified School District’s denial. The board also held a hearing on Compass Charter Schools’ Orange County learning center and scheduled decision on that petition for its June meeting.

Magnolia Science Academy Orange County’s request to add a facility within the boundaries of Anaheim Union High School District and Anaheim Elementary School District was presented by Dr. Maria Rauhl and supporters from Magnolia and charter advocates. Magnolia representatives showed the board data and described extracurricular programming; parent speakers highlighted robotics, Girl Scouts and school volunteerism. Dr. Maria Rauhl said the school \"hopes that we can continue to grow\" in the county. After public comment, the board voted to approve the material revision; the roll call vote recorded Trustees Valdez, Shaw, Williams, Barkey and Sparks voting yes.

The board then considered an appeal by Tustin International Charter School after Tustin Unified denied the petition. OCDE staff recommended approval with conditions, identifying four principal areas of deficiency in the petition: English learner reclassification and supports, special education compliance and capacity, plans for low‑achieving students who do not have IEPs, and lack of full clarity about curriculum and language allocation. Petition representatives, including consultants Dr. Jennifer Ryder Cook and Tabitha (licensed educational psychologist), told the board they would address those items during a planning year and described partnerships and supports they planned to use. Dozens of local parents and community members testified in favor of the proposal, stressing demand for Mandarin immersion and bilingual instruction.

After extended questioning by trustees about leadership, special education capacity, enrollment commitments and facility plans, the board voted to deny the petition on appeal. The roll call on the denial recorded four yes votes and one no (Trustee Barkey voted no), sending the petitioner the usual option to pursue an appeal to the state.

Later in the meeting the board conducted a public hearing on Compass Charter Schools’ Orange County Learning Center (continuing charter petition). Compass representatives said the continuing charter is required by changes in state law that no longer permit charter schools to operate a facility outside their authorizing district without local permission. Compass presented program data, said the learning center has been operating in Santa Ana since 2017 and requested authorization to operate as a standalone county‑authorized charter. Multiple students, parents and staff spoke in support; the board did not take final action and placed the Compass petition on the June 4 public hearing agenda for decision.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve Magnolia Science Academy Orange County material revision — outcome: approved (roll call: Valdez, Shaw, Williams, Barkey, Sparks = yes).
- Motion to deny Tustin International Charter School petition on appeal — outcome: denied (roll call: 4 yes, 1 no; Trustee Barkey voted no).
- Compass Charter Schools (Orange County Learning Center) — public hearing concluded; decision scheduled for June meeting.

What it means
Magnolia’s approved revision lets the charter add the Anaheim facility described in its petition and continue to operate under OCDE authorization. The Tustin International petition was denied after trustees expressed concerns about the petition’s clarity on special education and supports for English learners and low‑achieving students; petitioners were told they could refine materials and consider future resubmission or appeal. The Compass hearing will return to the board in June as the county office prepares the staff report and any conditions for action.

Next steps
OCDE staff will finalize the statutory documents that follow each action (approval, denial, conditions as applicable). Petitioners may request further meetings with OCDE staff during the planning or appeal periods. The board’s formal minutes and staff reports will list conditions or findings in full.

","At its April 2 meeting the Orange County Board of Education approved a material revision for Magnolia Science Academy Orange County, voted to deny the Tustin International Charter School petition on appeal, and concluded a public hearing on Compass Charter Schools (Santa Ana) with the board scheduling action for its June meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts set of legislative positions; opposes statewide mandate shifting county election timing

Public commenters accuse retired judge of politically motivated lawsuit against board member Mary Barkey

OCDE holds budget study session; staff outline multi‑year projection, Prop 98 and pension pressures

Orange County Board approves Magnolia revision, denies Tustin International charter; Compass hearing continued to June