Enough signatures have been submitted to trigger an election for the recall of Conservative Orange Unified Trustees.
Recall Campaign Submits Signatures to Remove Conservative Members of Orange Unified School Board
Organizers campaigning to remove the conservative members of the Orange Unified School Board last week said they submitted more than enough signatures to trigger a recall election.
In a statement on its website, the recall campaign said Sept. 27 they submitted signatures to the Orange County Registrar of Voters to recall Board President Rick Ledesma and Trustee Madison Miner.
While each petition required 13,046 valid signatures to move forward, recall leaders said they submitted more than 18,000 signatures for both Mr. Ledesma and Ms. Miner.
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The campaign also noted it submitted the signatures weeks ahead of its deadline.
The OC Registrar of Voters now has until Nov. 8 to validate the signatures for certification.
If at least 13,046 signatures each are validated by the registrar, then the Orange Unified board will be notified at its next meeting, and then have 14 days to schedule a recall election.
Recent Controversial Decisions by Orange Unified School Board
Mr. Ledesma has been elected to the OUSD board three times since 2014, and was most recently reelected to a four-year term in November 2022 along with Ms. Miner, who is serving her first four-year term.
Ms. Miner’s election flipped the board’s majority conservative, and from then it made several controversial decisions.
In January, the majority voted to fire its longtime superintendent, Gunn Marie Hansen, and place Assistant Superintendent Cathleen Corella on leave pending an academic audit.
And in June, it adopted a “parent’s bill of rights,” which grants district parents and guardians the right to know what their children are being taught and the right to be heard by district leaders.
The same month, it also adopted a policy allowing only the U.S. and state flags to be flown on district and school flag poles—which critics called homophobic, saying it was a move to ban LGBT Pride flags from being displayed in classrooms.
In September, the school board also passed a parent notification policy that will require schools to notify parents if their child identifies as transgender, amid a statewide debate over the issue.
Despite these moves, Ms. Miner told The Epoch Times she believed there was more work to be done within the district.
“While these are significant strides made during my tenure, our work to restore Orange Unified to its former glory and potential is not yet complete,” she said. “That’s why I pledge to focus my efforts on fixing our curriculum in the upcoming months and ensuring that our students receive a valuable education marked by quality and excellence.
Ms. Miner also said she believed the recall effort is spearheaded by the local teachers’ union, the Orange Unified Education Association, in a “quest for power” over the district.
“It’s essential to note that protecting students is my sole purpose, and the radical recall movement has made it clear that their quest for power over the children is nothing more than a strong political maneuver to influence and shape the children of [Orange Unified],” she said. “This has nothing to do with protecting or educating children.”
The Orange Unified Education Association was not immediately available for comment.
Ms. Miner also warned that a special election could cost the district up to $1.2 million.
“Make no mistake, this recall will cause a financial burden in Orange Unified,” she said. “The election will be funded with [Orange Unified] money. The individuals leading this recall have redirected money from multiple school districts to achieve this significant upheaval within our district.”
Mr. Ledesma—along with Trustees Kris Erickson, Ana Page, Andrea Yamasaki, Angie Rumsey, and John Ortega—were not immediately available for comment.
Why has the recall campaign gained support from various community members in the Orange Unified School District?
Epoch Times that the recall campaign is not solely about the controversial decisions made by the conservative members of the board, but also about their overall leadership and representation. She stated, “It’s about representation. It’s about accountability. It’s about communication. It’s about transparency. And it’s about relationships.”
The recall campaign has gained support from various community members, including parents, teachers, and community leaders. They argue that the conservative members of the board do not properly represent the diverse community of Orange Unified School District and have made decisions that do not align with the values and needs of the students and families in the district.
Organizers of the recall campaign have expressed their hope that if a recall election is held, it will provide an opportunity for the community to choose new board members who will prioritize the well-being and success of the students. They believe that a change in leadership is necessary to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students.
The conservative members of the board, however, have defended their decisions and their commitment to serving the community. They argue that the controversial decisions were made in the best interest of the students and were necessary to uphold the values and policies of the district. They believe that the recall campaign is politically motivated and aims to undermine the work they have done for the district.
As the OC Registrar of Voters validates the signatures submitted by the recall campaign, the community anxiously waits to see if a recall election will be scheduled. If the required number of signatures is validated, the Orange Unified School Board will have to face the decision of the community and potentially undergo significant changes in its composition.
Regardless of the outcome, the recall campaign has highlighted the importance of community engagement and the role of elected officials in representing the diverse needs and values of the community. It serves as a reminder that the power to shape the education system lies in the hands of the community and that active participation is crucial for ensuring that every student has access to a quality education.
The results of the validation process are expected to be announced by Nov. 8, and the Orange Unified School Board will then have 14 days to schedule a recall election if the required number of signatures is validated. Until then, the community continues to advocate for change and awaits the opportunity to shape the future of the Orange Unified School District.
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