The Orange County Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 6 to adopt new language for the standard memorandum of understanding used with county-authorized charter schools, putting charters on notice about curriculum expectations and parental notification.
The change, proposed by Trustee George Valdez, instructs charter operators to ensure course content complies with applicable federal and state law, to notify parents and obtain consent for certain instruction related to identity and health, and to prohibit instructional practices the board described as constitutionally or ethically problematic without parental consent. Trustee Valdez said the revision is intended to address instances where teachers or isolated staff introduced controversial material without leadership review or parent notification.
Board members debated the scope and enforceability of the change. Board counsel warned that the Charter Schools Act gives charter operators educational autonomy and that the board’s formal oversight generally focuses on outcomes, fiscal management and renewals; enforcement of curriculum decisions could draw review by the State Board of Education. Trustee Valdez said he expects any enforcement action would arise at renewal or revocation proceedings, not as an immediate measure.
Trustees who spoke in favor said the language sets expectations rather than micromanages classrooms. They pointed to prior cases and community complaints, including instances where parents raised concerns about instruction they found objectionable. Trustee Valdez said the goal is to protect students and parents and to make clear what the county office expects from charter operators.
The motion to adopt the revised MOU language passed without opposition. The text will be added to the county office's standard MOU for review and use in future charter authorizations.
The board did not identify a specific enforcement timeline; staff said they will continue to advise charter schools and that any formal compliance questions would be handled through the usual authorizing and renewal processes.