The Campaign to Remove Conservative Orange Unified Board Members Gains Momentum
The movement to oust two conservative board members from the Orange Unified School District in Southern California is gaining traction. Last week, the Orange County Registrar of Voters certified enough petition signatures to trigger an election.
On October 20, Registrar Bob Page officially certified the petitions to recall Board President Rick Ledesma and Trustee Madison Miner. To move forward, each petition required 13,046 valid signatures, but recall leaders went above and beyond, submitting over 18,000 signatures for both Ledesma and Miner.
According to Mr. Page, approximately 15,016 signatures were deemed valid for Ledesma’s petition, while 14,736 were validated for Miner’s.
The county’s certification process involves examining a random sample of signatures from each petition.
The certificates will be presented to the board during its November 16 meeting. The board will then have 14 days to set a date for the recall election. If the board fails to act, the registrar will determine the election date.
The recall election must take place within 88 to 125 days after the order for the election is issued.
Ledesma has served on the OUSD board since 2014, having been elected three times. Miner, on the other hand, is in her first four-year term after being elected in November 2022.
Orange Unified School Board President Rick Ledesma speaks at a board meeting in Orange, Calif., on June 20, 2023. (Mei Lee/The Epoch Times)
Orange Unified School Board Trustee Madison Miner speaks at a board meeting in Orange, Calif., on Sept. 7, 2023. (Mei Lee/The Epoch Times)
Miner’s election shifted the board’s majority to conservative, leading to several controversial decisions.
In January, the majority voted to dismiss Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen and placed Assistant Supt. Cathleen Corella on leave pending an academic audit.
In June, they adopted a “parent’s bill of rights,” granting parents and guardians the right to be informed about their children’s education and to voice their concerns to district leaders.
During the same month, the board implemented a policy allowing only the U.S. and state flags to be flown on district and school flagpoles. Critics argued that this move was discriminatory against the LGBTQ+ community, as it effectively banned the display of Pride flags in classrooms.
In a previous interview with The Epoch Times, Miner expressed her commitment to improving the district further.
“While we have made significant progress during my tenure, there is still work to be done to restore Orange Unified to its former glory,” she said. “I am dedicated to fixing our curriculum in the coming months and ensuring that our students receive a high-quality education marked by excellence.”
How significant is the support for the recall effort, as indicated by the number of petition signatures collected?
St term after being elected in 2020. The two board members have faced criticism and calls for their removal due to their conservative stances on various issues, including education policies and COVID-19 protocols.
The campaign to remove Ledesma and Miner gained momentum in recent months as community members and advocacy groups rallied together to collect petition signatures. The signatures were collected from registered voters within the Orange Unified School District, demonstrating a significant level of support for the recall effort.
The certification of the petition signatures by the Orange County Registrar of Voters is a significant step towards the recall election. This certification process ensures that the signatures are valid and meet the necessary requirements for triggering an election. With over 18,000 signatures collected for each board member, it is clear that there is a strong desire within the community for change.
The next step in the process is for the certificates to be presented to the board during its November 16 meeting. The board will then have 14 days to set a date for the recall election. It is crucial that the board takes this matter seriously and acts promptly to address the concerns of the community.
If the board fails to set a date for the recall election, the responsibility will fall upon the registrar to determine the election date. It is essential for the board to take charge and demonstrate their commitment to democratic processes by actively participating in the recall election process.
The recall election must take place within 88 to 125 days after the order for the election is issued. This timeframe ensures that the election occurs in a reasonable period, allowing for proper campaigning and voter awareness. It is crucial that all eligible voters within the Orange Unified School District are informed and engaged in the electoral process.
The tenure of Ledesma and Miner on the Orange Unified School District board has been marked by controversy and division within the community. The recall effort signifies a push for change and a desire for leadership that aligns more closely with the values and priorities of the community.
While recalls should not be taken lightly, they serve as an important tool for holding elected officials accountable. It is the responsibility of the board members to represent the best interests of the students, parents, and staff within the district. If there is a widespread sentiment that the current board members are not fulfilling this responsibility, then a recall election becomes a necessary course of action.
The outcome of the recall election will have a significant impact on the future direction of the Orange Unified School District. It is essential for voters to carefully consider the qualifications and ideologies of potential candidates, ensuring that they select individuals who will prioritize the needs of the community and work towards a united and thriving school district.
As the campaign to remove conservative Orange Unified board members gains momentum, it is a critical moment for the community and the future of education in the district. The successful certification of the petition signatures demonstrates the level of support for change within the community. Now, it is up to the board to act in the best interest of the community and set a date for the recall election. The decision rests in their hands, and the community will be eagerly watching their response.
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