Anaheim

Orange USD School Board Area 1 Trustee Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“ANDREA YAMASAKI | Governing Board Member, Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 1

Orange Unified parents and our community deserve leaders with an extensive history of actual service in our schools and beyond, a proven track record as a capable leader, and the best interests of students as their priority. As your current Governing Board Member of Trustee Area 1, I have all these qualities, that is why I am endorsed by our classroom teachers, as well as hundreds of parents and community members. 

My service to this district started decades ago. As a parent of three OUSD children, I volunteered tutoring students and facilitating school-wide  programs. I then expanded my responsibilities to include leadership; serving as PTA President at El Rancho Charter School and Canyon High School, and as a board member for many parent groups and booster clubs. My commitment to making OUSD better for every child, not just my own, led me to co-found C.A.R.E., the parent-led grassroots effort that helped pass Measure S, providing critical repairs and upgrades for our high school campuses.

Now that the high school projects are nearly completed, it is time to refocus on the elementary campuses. Fiscal responsibility enabled Orange Unified to fund $40 million in elementary campus improvements this year. Investments in our facilities are investments in our students and community. 

The progress our district has made the past two years towards making OUSD  the district of excellence our students deserve has been remarkable, I am grateful to be part of it. Our test scores  are climbing, graduation rates are one of the best in the county and multiple systems have been implemented to further support students to continue these improvements.

My priorities:

• Fiscal responsibility: ensuring your tax dollars are spent transparently and deliver visible results in classrooms. 

• Student safety and well-being: strengthening policies that protect students.

• Academic opportunities: maintaining and expanding a variety of academic programs to serve students’ interests and needs, from Advanced Placement to Career Training.

I know the importance of listening to and building relationships with parents and community partners, and I stay involved and engaged. I serve on the board of multiple school-site Foundations, the Orange County School Boards Association, and serve as president of the state-wide Asian Pacific Islander School Board Members Association. I am readily accessible to our students, staff and families, often visiting school sites and participating in school events. 

I respectfully ask for your vote to keep experienced, accountable leadership on the Orange Unified School Board, leadership grounded in community service, responsible stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to student success.

www.yamasaki4ousdschools.com”

Email: yamasaki4ousdschools@gmail.com 

Campaign Website: http://www.yamasaki4ousdschools.com/

Her campaign website leads with the following descriptions of Andrea, “Proven Leadership

Extensive History of Service, Parent & Community Advocate, A Voice You Can Trust”.

Priorities: 

• Fiscal responsibility: ensuring your tax dollars are spent transparently and deliver visible results in classrooms. 

• Student safety and well-being: strengthening policies that protect students.

• Academic opportunities: maintaining and expanding a variety of academic programs to serve students’ interests and needs, from Advanced Placement to Career Training.

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Yamasaki is the incumbent in this seat, having been first elected in 2016. She is the first Asian trustee to be elected to the OUSD Board, which was established in 1953. Source

• In 2024, Andrea partnered with Pride at the Pier at one of our “Good Faith Conversation” panel series. This series brought transgender panelists, as well as occasional cisgender community leaders, together in panels at local Orange County faith congregations to provide a space for gentle conversations about transgender people’s lived experiences for OC community members who were interested in better understanding and advocating. Andrea was invited to this panel as a school board member with specific experience and LGBTQ+ ally. She declined to be paid for this work and redirected the offered speaking compensation back into the organization to be used elsewhere. She was the only panelist who was not compensated.

• She is a board member of S.T.A.R.S. Foundation, a school foundation 501(c)(3) supporting Running Springs Academy.

• She is the Board President of the Asian Pacific Islander School Board Members Association, which describes itself this way; “APISBMA empowers school board members to address the diverse needs of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students.” Initiatives of the organization include focuses on Ethnic Studies, Federal Policy, Mentorship, Representation, and addressing Discrimination. Source

• Andrea volunteered with the Girls Scouts between 2000 and 2017. Source 

Social Media Links: 

• Linkedin

• Twitter (has not posted since Nov 2023)

• Trustee Instagram

• Campaign Instagram

• Personal Instagram

On her trustee instagram in November 2025, she posted positively about a Dia De Los Muertos event put on by the students at an OUSD school. Since the post includes the faces of minors, we won’t be linking that here. 

In Feb 2023, she retweeted a post from Tony Thurmond, saying, “Great to see State Superintendent Tony Thurmond this morning!  I’m always impressed with his support of education!” Thurmond’s term as CA Superintendent of Public Instruction has been one of open advocacy for LGBTQ+ students, especially in defiance of forced outing policies like the one passed in OUSD in 2023. He has been a favorite target of anti-LGBTQ extremists as a result of these stances. 

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• OC Young Dems

• Resilience OC

• WAVE

• Our Schools USA

• Nancy Watkins (Public Education Advocate, fmr. Candidate for OC Board of Ed, LGBTQ+ ally)

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California

• Public School Defenders Hub

• Capital & Main News (This news engine has covered many LGBTQ+ issues positively, including a long-form piece interviewing trans athlete AB Hernandez)

• Capital High School Prayer and Worship Club

• AAPIs For Civic Empowerment

• Take Back OC (Twitter)

• Good Trouble OC (Twitter)

• Voices for PYLUSD (Twitter)

• Marc E. Ellias (Twitter) (Founder of Democracy Docket)

• Walter Masterson (Twitter) (Progressive Comedian and Activist)

• Stop Moms 4 Liberty (Twitter)

• Mueller, She Wrote (Twitter)

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• She has a “message from Andrea” on her campaign website, where she says in part, “I have seen our Board go through triumphs and turbulent times. For me, this has never been about politics, and frankly, I believe culture wars and special interest groups do not have a place in the Boardroom.  Good governance, respectful conversations and good‑faith discourse are the keys to building trust in the Boardroom.” source

• In the aftermath of the OUSD board vote to approve a forced outing policy in 2023 and the violence that exploded in the board room from anti-LGBTQ+ extremist factions, Trustees Erickson, Yamasaki and Page (who all voted in opposition) issued a joint statement. In part, it said, “By bringing culture wars into Orange Unified, the Ledesma majority has invited the most radical elements into our district, OUR home. We can only imagine how difficult it is for our LGBTQ youth to exist in this toxic and hateful environment where politicians are exploiting their very existence to score political points. The policy's five-day forced outing is arbitrary and cruel and has no basis in good mental health practice. We provide no ongoing support for these students and families that we inject ourselves into – on our timeline, not theirs – to confront a sensitive and nuanced issue they may not be ready to deal with. This will force young people back into the closet to deal with difficult issues alone. It’s shameful.”  source

• During the August 2023 OUSD meeting where forced outing policies were first being debated, Yamasaki asked Trustee Rick Ledesma (who had placed the item on the meeting agenda), “So, I want to find out - who authored this policy? Did you write it, or were you told to present it?” This question was extremely relevant, as it’s a well known fact that a network of major anti-LGBTQ organizations had contributed to author the policy and were openly shopping it to interested school board trustees across California, starting with Sonja Shaw in Chino Valley USD, who has openly acknowledged that she was their willing “guinea pig” for the policy. Rick paused and replied, “Um - I’m not here to debate any questions you have, I’m - you’re here to speak, I’m here to speak, uh -” Andrea interrupted him, saying, “I thought - we are supposed to deliberate, tonight’s about deliberation.” Rick replied, “We’re not voting on anything. We’re not voting on anything, Trustee Yamasaki, so - you can question away, but I choose not to answer, because I don’t answer to you.” Rick never did confirm or deny if he was given the policy by parties outside of OUSD to place on the agenda, and was recalled in 2024. source

• Yamasaki responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

  • Question: What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them?

  • Answer: “Our school district is on a positive trajectory with strong leadership in place. Our test scores are improving, and our graduation rates are high. We have invested in our facilities. We are offering more academic and extracurricular opportunities such as Career Technical Education, extended learning/afterschool programs, and JROTC programs. I would like to expand on that by making sure that we are offering programs that fit the needs of our community by creating partnerships with organizations and businesses to increase hands-on opportunities and internships.

While our test scores are rising, we must still work toward closing the achievement gap. We need to use evidence-based data to find out what is working and what is not. We need to provide support for our students and families by identifying needs, whether it be specialized language support for English learners, math support like tutoring and additional instruction or opportunities to take classes in the summer. We also need to ensure students come to school ready to learn; that means having a way to get to school on time, making sure food is available, exercise for the body, and counseling support. All this contributes to student success in the classroom.”

• Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely?

• Answer: “School board members are elected to represent their constituents and stakeholders, which include families, teachers, staff, community members and taxpayers. Board members develop policy in compliance with the education code, and set the general priorities of the district, which should be what is best for students — keeping a clear focus on student achievement and outcomes.

As representatives of taxpayers, Board members need to ask the hard questions. With a district budget of over $400 million, our school board members must also ensure the budget is sound and transparent. It should be spent on students, all while preparing for the future, as OUSD has done by having ample reserves that can be utilized in the face of economic uncertainty and sudden changes in federal and state funding.

OUSD School Board members have no individual authority outside of board meetings; however, most of what we vote on occurs on our campuses. That means showing up at school sites, observing student learning, communicating with families, listening to staff, and preparing thoughtfully for meetings. Additionally, it is important for board members to take professional development courses and be involved in the community. All of these experiences and commitment are what make a strong and effective school board member.”

• Question: How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited?

• Answer: “This is one of the more timely and complex challenges board members and educators are facing today. Technology and AI aren’t going away, and they are becoming a permanent part of our lives. At the primary grade level, students should be focused on the basics: reading, writing, math, music, and art. At the secondary level, rather than treating AI purely as a threat to manage, we need to teach students to use AI responsibly and appropriately.

Professional development for our teachers is also an important component. Comfort and fluency with technology can vary greatly among staff, and we can’t ask teachers to model responsible tech use or integrate AI thoughtfully into instruction without investing in their training first. The district needs to develop policies that clearly outline how AI is used, with guardrails and ensure that students are using AI responsibly and ethically.”

• Question: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? 

• Answer: “It is important to develop policies that provide students with a safe environment to exercise their voice. While people may have differing thoughts, they should be encouraged to listen to other perspectives and opinions in a respectful manner.

For example, my three children completed their education in OUSD with a broad range of experiences in civil discourse. Methods like Socratic seminars and Cornell notes were used to encourage learning from multiple points of view and to help students formulate well-supported opinions backed by facts and evidence. They were encouraged to draw on primary sources and evidence-based information in their assessments. Expanding on these methods and embedding them further into the classrooms will help students learn to think critically and form well-supported opinions.

Additionally, extracurricular programs such as Speech and Debate, Mock Trial, and student government can further contribute to building these skills.”

• Question: Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators?

• Answer: “People operate best when there is stability, trust, and consistency. This is applicable not only in the home but in the workplace. School districts need to provide a roadmap, with goals clearly communicated to teachers. Our teachers and educators who are in the classroom with real-life experience are critical to the process. A workforce that is part of plan development is invested in the success of those programs. They also need to feel supported from the top down. This will ensure longevity and stability.

I would like to see more opportunities for student-teacher internships, especially for those who live in the community, stronger mentorship for new hires and increased collaboration amongst teachers, especially in areas that are working for students. I support a workplace culture where educators feel valued, supported, and included.”

• Question: What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? 

• Answer: “My decades of OUSD service, as a parent, volunteer, and board member, have been guided by one priority: ensuring our students have the safe, supportive, and high‑quality schools they deserve. That commitment is why I am consistently endorsed by our classroom teachers, along with hundreds of parents and community members.

My involvement began long before I was elected to the school board. As a parent of three OUSD students, I spent years volunteering, tutoring, organizing school-wide programs, and serving in leadership roles, including PTA president at El Rancho Charter School and Canyon High School. My dedication to improving our schools for all children led me to co‑found C.A.R.E., the grassroots parent coalition that worked diligently to pass Measure S, bringing long‑overdue repairs and upgrades to our high school campuses. During my time on the board, we have successfully invested over $40 million into elementary school improvements, expanded career technical education (CTE), and improved academic performance while navigating complex budgets.

The experience I bring is rooted in collaboration. I know how to listen to teachers, partner with families, and make fiscally sound decisions that put students first. I am ready to continue building on our district’s positive momentum.”

• Question: If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? 

• Answer: “My first thought was to pick an animal, but after thoughtful consideration, I thought the perfect mascot would be an orange tree. It embodies growth, life and nourishment.

The district sits on land that was once orange groves. It is the root of our city’s beginning. Growing an orange tree takes time. You don’t get fruit in the first season, or even the second. Trees need water, food, and patience before they are fully established, and that is not so different from building a school district. Once strong roots are established, though, they can survive wind, drought, pests, and bad years, and continue providing fruit that is nourishing and strengthening, just like our students to the community around them. Resilient trees are essential because they provide shade and protection for future generations. The mission for my campaign reflects this. Through hard work, perseverance, and patience, our students and community will enjoy the fruits that are sown.”

• Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

• Answer: “‘A Man Called Ove’ by Fredrik Backman.

I recently read ‘My Friends’, also by Backman, for a book club and everyone said how they liked ‘A Man Called Ove’ more, so I was inspired to read Ove. I’m so glad I did! I found the curmudgeon Ove endearing, and it’s a great reminder to look past the surface of the people around us and to attempt to better understand and empathize. While I didn’t identify with the character in the way he was grumpy to those around him, I did find common ground in that we are both people who are action-oriented. Often in service of others. But what really resonated with me is the importance of community for the characters in the book because community is everything to me. Together we can make our communities better, from a tiny neighborhood on a private road in Sweden to a school district here in Orange County, it’s all about finding connections and being there for the people who need us.”

Endorsed by: 

• Andrea does not have her endorsements listed on her campaign website. These were found separately; 

• Orange County Young Democrats

• Supporters of Public Education (Orange County organization supporting public education and candidates committed to strong public schools.)

Candidate in the News:

• (Voice of OC) Two New Members Appointed to Orange Unified School Board After Recall

• (The Nation) The Right-Wing Pretexts of Parents’ and Children’s Rights

• (Voice of OC) Orange School Board Gets New President in Wake of Recall

• (Voice of OC) Will Orange Unified Approve a Transgender Outing Policy Despite State Legal Threats?

• (PBS NewsHour) California sues district that requires parents be notified if their kids change their gender or pronouns

• (OC Register) Orange Unified suspends digital library after parents’ book complaints

• (LA Times) Orange Unified board approves parental notification when a student identifies as transgender

• (Los Angeles Blade) OUSD school board passes anti-trans policy after toxic meeting

• (Voice of OC) Orange Unified School District Considers Notifying Parents of Transgender Students

• (EdSource) Orange Unified’s conservative majority fires superintendent with a day’s notice

• (OC Register) Andrea Yamasaki, Orange Unified School District Area 1 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

Public Voting Record:

• She adamantly opposed a forced outing policy vote in 2023, at a series of school board meetings that ultimately escalated to violence sparked by Proud Boys, hate group LOKA, and other anti-LGBTQ+ extremists, and resulted in death threats towards Erickson and the other trustees who opposed it. The policy passed but enforcement was blocked when AB 1955 was passed that same year. source 

• She voted against firing the district’s superintendent in 2023. This firing, which did go through, was led by Trustees Ledesma and Miner. Both trustees were successfully recalled just over a year later, largely due to the community’s disapproval of the firing, which was seen as overtly political. source 

• Yamasaki voted in favor of a policy that would prevent Pride Flags from flying from main OUSD flag poles in June 2023 that was in some ways similar to the Huntington Beach Pride Flag ban, although she did raise some protest to the agenda item being pushed forward during summer break and without ample time for community engagement in the topic. Source  We reached out to her for comment on this vote, and she advised; “I appreciate the opportunity to clarify a few things. It wasn’t a “pride flag ban” that we voted on, despite being advertised as such by (Trustees) Rick and Madison. It was a resolution for our main flag poles, most of which are outside our campuses near the parking lot, to only fly the American and CA state flag. This is in alignment with what we have always done. 

The policy did actually align with your and my shared values inside our campuses where students spend their day. Once students came through that front gate of their school they were in a safe space. No matter what is going on at the federal, state or even school board level INSIDE our schools is a safe space for everyone.

Our teachers may have pride flags in their classrooms and our common areas, OUSD continued to promote inclusive culture for all students. In fact most campuses increased their inclusive posters, etc after: and our counselors worked very hard to check in with students to ensure they felt safe, seen and celebrated. I would never support something that would impact students in a negative way.

At the time, the board majority brought chaos and culture wars to our district.  We had to navigate that carefully. Let me know if you need further clarification or have specific questions.  I would be honored to have your support.” 

NOTE: As a 501(c)3 non-profit, we do not endorse for or against candidates for office. 

Follow the Money: 

• $10,000 from Orange Unified Education Association Education Action Committee

Orange USD Area 1 Trustee Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“IVAN KOKOS | Parent/Orange County Businessman

My parents and I immigrated to the United States when I was a toddler. A United States Marine Corps veteran, I’m the first in my family to graduate from college.

My wife and I chose to raise our family here, and I’m the candidate running for Trustee Area 1 who has a child attending Orange Unified School District schools.

Seeing our schools firsthand as a parent, I’m worried about what I see: students are not learning reading, writing, and math at their grade level. With my professional experience managing $2.5 billion in government loans, I’m concerned about the Orange Unified School District’s structural deficits: its own projections call this Unsustainable.

If you elect me to the Orange Unified School District Board, I will:

• Ensure our students learn reading, writing, and math

• Push for our graduates to be ready for the workforce or college

• Fight for fiscal responsibility: spending should go to classrooms, not administration

• Make sure parents and teachers are partners in students’ education

• Recruit and retain great teachers with excellent salaries, supplies, and support

I’ve earned endorsements from:

• Entire Orange County Board of Education

• Orange County Auditor-Controller Andrew Hamilton

• Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner

• Anaheim Councilwoman Natalie Meeks

• Orange Councilmembers Denis Bilodeau, Kathy Tavoularis, Jon Dumitru

• Villa Park Councilwoman Crystal Miles

I would be honored to have your vote. electivankokos.com”

• NOTE: A judge ordered Chip and slate-mates Crystal Miles, Jack Chang, and Ivan Kokos to change their candidate statements after it was found that they misled voters with incorrect suggestions that the district reported a structural deficit, that quality rankings of OUSD were poor and that test scores were dropping. 

Email: 

Campaign Website: https://electivankokos.com/

Priorities: 

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Kokos is a part of the anti-LGBTQ activism network linked with Sonja Shaw. He is running on a slate with Crystal Miles, Chip Ahlswede, and Jack Chang, all of whom are campaigning within the anti-LGBTQ activism circles and leaning on language like “parental rights” that the average populace does not pick up on as coded language for book bans, conservative curriculum control, forced outing policies, and the targeting of trans students. 

• Ivan works in commercial banking, with a post from the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce citing him as ‘a trusted advisor to business owners and C-suite leaders’. (x)

• On his Linkedin, several of his blog posts appear to be AI-generated, such as a June 11, 2025 one titled, “The Power Trio Behind Every Successful Business: Banker, CPA, and Lawyer”. This is in line with his campaign materials, which also appear to be heavily AI-reliant. 

Social Media Links: 

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Tiktok

• Linkedin

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

NOTE: This is a deeply incomplete list of the accounts of note that Kokos follows, and has been abridged for brevity. 

• Sonja Shaw (CVUSD Trustee, CA Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate, and extreme, full-time anti-LGBTQ activist.)

• Jenny Rae La Roux (Congressional [CA-47] candidate, extremely pro-ICE, Christian Zionist, and anti-LGBTQ)

• Todd Frazier (PYLUSD Trustee/candidate, openly running for re-election on anti-LGBTQ platform)

• Ziggy McBride (TUSD candidate, part of the anti-LGBTQ activism circles)

• Leandra Blades (PYLUSD Trustee, openly anti-LGBTQ, history of targeting SoCal trans kids, friends with Sonja Shaw, documented J6er)

• California Family Council (extremist hate group, associated with Focus on the Family, was behind the 2008 Prop 8 effort to ban gay marriage in CA)

• Michael Gates (CA Attorney General candidate, Fmr. Huntington Beach City Attorney, Fmr. Trump administration DOJ whose career in the administration was terminated amid accusations that he was creating a hostile work environment for women… in the Trump administration, has posed for campaign photos with Proud Boys with violent criminal records)

• Gracey Van Der Mark (Huntington Beach City Council, perhaps known best for her championing of the effort to ban books in the HB Public Library, extremely anti-LGBTQ)

• Protect Our Kids (anti-LGBTQ group led by ousted OUSD Trustee and Moms For Liberty chair Madison Miner)

• Sean Redmond (Former teacher who was fired from the Garden Grove school district for misconduct amid his anti-LGBTQ activism, member of the anti-LGBTQ extremists circle in SoCal)

• Kelly Felton (TUSD Trustee, anti-LGBTQ activism record for several years prior to running for office)

• Justin Aguirre (PYLUSD Trustee running explicitly on an anti-LGBTQ platform and not much else)

• Bill Essayli (Fmr. CA Assemblyman who was named US Attorney to the Central District of CA by Donald Trump, attempted to bring forced outing policies through the state legislature, very close friends with Sonja Shaw and the anti-LGBTQ extremist circles in SoCal, currently working with a track record of [mostly unsuccessfully] sticking LA-area protesters with federal charges)

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• In a July 1st, 2026 instagram post, Kokos said, “I’m the dad of two daughters in public school, and I oppose transgender athletes taking away opportunities for girls in sports. Even Gavin Newsom has said it is ‘deeply unfair’ for transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports. Many students feel intimidated by school staff and other students from expressing this common sense opinion, so we must also protect free speech for students in our schools.” (x)

• In an April 23rd, 2026 instagram post, Kokos said, “Thank you for your support and endorsement, @sonjashaw2026 I really appreciate it. You’ve done an incredible job leading Chino Valley Unified, and with the State Superintendent election coming up this June, I hope people take a moment to learn about your work and get out and vote for you.” (x)

  • NOTE: Please be sure to read our research on Sonja Shaw further down this page for further insight into her anti-LGBTQ stances.

• Kokos responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

  • Question: What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them?

  • Answer: “Honest budgeting and stronger academics.

First, the budget. Orange Unified is in a structural deficit, and the board hides it by shuffling money from one pocket to another. They tout voluntary contributions into reserves like the enrollment decline fund as strength, but that is the district’s own general fund money moved between accounts, not new revenue, and they are putting in less as revenue tightens. Recurring spending is outrunning recurring revenue, and the district’s own projection turns negative in the out-years as attendance keeps falling. I read government budgets for a living. I will protect classroom spending, scrutinize every new administrative cost, and stop the shuffling.

Second, academics. Too many students are behind. District math proficiency is under half, and eleventh-grade math is around one in four. A budget exists to serve the classroom, so every dollar should be measured against whether it helps a child read and do math. I will push to prioritize instruction over central office growth and hold the administration accountable for results, not just spending.

Get those two right, fiscal honesty and real learning, and the rest follows.”

• Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely?

• Answer: “A school board member sets policy and holds the district accountable. That is the whole job. The board hires and evaluates the superintendent, approves the budget, and sets the rules the district runs on. It doesn’t run the schools day to day. The best boards govern. The worst boards rubber-stamp.

Over the last few years, OUSD’s board has too often approved major items with little public discussion. A 400% stipend raise for board members went through on the consent calendar in January with no debate. That is the opposite of governing. My standard is simple. Every dollar and every policy gets read, questioned, and explained in public before a vote.

I will ask hard questions of the administration, and I will show my work to the community. Governing also means staying in your lane. A trustee represents families and taxpayers, not a political faction. My focus is the core mission: strong academics, safe schools, and an honest budget. I will treat teachers as partners, not targets, and I will hold the administration to results. Accountability is not hostility. It is the job.”

• Question: How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited?

• Answer: “Artificial intelligence is already in students’ lives, so schools cannot pretend it away. The right approach is careful, not fearful. AI can help teachers with lesson planning, grading support, and personalized practice, which frees them to spend more time with students. It can also be misused for cheating and can spread errors if students trust it blindly.

My principles are these: Teachers stay in charge, not software. Any tool the district adopts must protect student privacy and data, and parents deserve to know what is being used and why. We should teach students to use AI as a tool and to think for themselves, including how to check its work and spot when it is wrong. And we should be honest about cost. New technology should prove it improves learning before the district spends dollars on it. I am a finance professional, so I will ask what it costs, what it replaces, and what it delivers. Technology should serve the classroom, not the other way around. Basics come first. A student who cannot read well will not be saved by technology.”

• Question: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue?

• Answer: “Public schools have become a battleground, and families are exhausted by it. I am running to lower the temperature, not raise it. My approach to divisive issues starts with honesty about what a board can and cannot do. Where the board does have authority, I will make decisions in the open, with public comment heard and respected.

Disagreement is not the enemy. Contempt is. The way back to trust is steady governance: read the material, follow the law, keep the focus on academics and safety, and treat people with respect even in disagreement. That is the tone I will set.”

• Question: Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators?

• Answer: “Good schools start with good teachers, and Orange County is expensive. Recruiting and keeping strong educators is a real challenge. The school board cannot fix the housing market. What a board can do is manage money well enough to compete. That means protecting classroom compensation first when we set priorities, and being disciplined about administrative growth so more of every dollar reaches teachers.

When a district adds high-cost central office positions while enrollment falls, it has less room to reward the people in the classroom. I would put that tradeoff in front of the public honestly. Retention is also about respect. Teachers stay where they are supported, trusted, and not caught in political crossfire. I will treat educators as professionals and partners. Stable budgets, sane workloads, and steady leadership keep good teachers here. That is within a board’s power, and I will use it.

• Question: What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job?” 

• Answer: “I am a father of two, a person of faith, and a finance professional with nearly two decades of experience. Much of that career was spent underwriting and analyzing public agencies, so I can read a government budget and know what the numbers are actually saying. That is exactly the skill this board needs right now. I have also knocked on thousands of doors across this district, and I have listened to what parents are worried about: academics, safety, and a board that spends without explaining itself.

My top priorities are straightforward. First, fiscal honesty. Face the structural deficit, protect classroom spending, and stop masking the trend with one-time money. Second, academics. Proficiency is too low, with district math under half. That has to be the focus. Third, governance. End the rubber-stamp culture and make the board debate and explain major decisions in public. I am not running to fight culture wars. I am running to bring competence and accountability back to a board that has drifted from both. Students first, taxpayers always.”

• Question: If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? 

• Answer: “If I had to pick a mascot for how I want to serve, it would be the owl. Owls are patient. They watch carefully before they act, and they see clearly when things are dark. That is the temperament I want on a school board. Not the loudest voice in the room, but the one paying attention when a big decision is buried on a consent calendar. The owl is also a symbol of wisdom and learning, which is the whole point of a school district. I would rather be the trustee who reads every page and asks the quiet, careful question than the one who scores points. Good governance is not flashy. It is steady, alert, and a little unglamorous. So, the owl. Eyes open, watching out for our kids and our taxpayers.”

• Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

• Answer: “‘Outliers’ by Malcom Gladwell. Extraordinary success is rarely just raw talent. It comes from opportunity, hard work, and the circumstances a person is given, often things they didn’t choose. For a lot of kids, school is the opportunity. It’s where a child who was not handed advantages can still get a fair shot.”

Endorsed by: 

• (!!) Nancy’s Picks - Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

• (!!) Reform California - (far-right organization led by Carl DeMaio)

• (!!) Orange United — Parent/community advocacy organization supporting Ivan Kokos and other 2026 OUSD challenger candidates; highlights Kokos’s support for forced outing policies concerning transgender students, in the context of OUSD’s 2023 transgender forced outing policy. (Orange United Candidates)

• (!!) Madison Miner — Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. 

  • Madison’s public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.

• Lincoln Club of Orange County — Organization

• Republican Party of Orange County — Organization

• Andrew Hamilton — Orange County Auditor-Controller

• Don Wagner — Orange County Supervisor

• Michael G. Gates — Current City Attorney & Former Federal Prosecutor

• Tara Campbell — City Council Member & Former Mayor of Yorba Linda

• Denis Bilodeau — Orange Mayor Pro Tem

• Natalie Meeks — Anaheim City Council Member

• Crystal Miles — Villa Park City Council Member

• Fred Whitaker — Former OCGOP Chairman & Former Mayor of Orange

• Curt Pringle — Former Anaheim Mayor

• (!!) Sonja Shaw — Chino Valley School District Board President, Candidate for California Superintendent of Public Education

  • Note: Sonja Shaw is listed by Moms for Liberty among its pledged candidates/elected officials, and California Moms for Liberty chapters have endorsed her statewide campaign.  The Los Angeles Times reported in September 2026 that Shaw said she entered politics inspired by Moms for Liberty. 

• Dr. Lisa Sparks — Orange County Board of Education Trustee

• Jorge Valdez — Orange County Board of Education Trustee

• (!!) Mari Barke — Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Director-level at California Policy Center, anti-LGBTQ group in the Heritage Foundation network

• Dr. Ken Williams — Orange County Board of Education Trustee

• Tim Shaw — Orange County Board of Education Trustee

• Anne Bryson — Former Capistrano Unified School District Trustee

• (!!) Leandra Blades — Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee

  • Note: Leandra Blades’ political activity has intersected with the Moms for Liberty parental-rights network. Blades was identified among successful California “parental rights” school-board candidates in a 2024 announcement issued on behalf of a coalition (California Family Council) that included three California Moms for Liberty chapters. Her own campaign emphasizes parental rights and parental-notification policies, and she has also been reported as closely affiliated with Madison Miner, the current chair of Moms for Liberty’s Orange County chapter. 

Candidate in the News: 

• Spotlight Schools — September 26, 2026: “Election Brief: Who is Running for the Orange Unified School District Board of Education?” identifies Ivan Kokos as the challenger to incumbent Andrea Yamasaki for OUSD Trustee Area 1 and provides links to his official candidate statement and campaign materials. Spotlight Schools is an independent local education-news outlet covering Orange Unified. (⁠Spotlight Schools)

• Orange Journey — September 13, 2026: “Judge Mandates Corrections for Orange USD Board Challengers’ Statements” reports that Orange County Superior Court Judge Craig Griffin ordered Ivan Kokos and two other OUSD challengers to amend or remove portions of their official candidate statements following a lawsuit filed by OUSD constituent Darshan Smaaladen. The article reports that the challenged material was found to contain false or misleading claims. (⁠Orange Journey)

• Orange Juice Blog — September 12, 2026: In an opinion/commentary article, “Fibs ‘R’ Us: Orange USD Challengers Off to a Rocky Start!”, Vern Nelson discusses the court challenge involving Kokos and other OUSD candidates. The article reproduces Kokos’s original statement that OUSD’s projections called its structural deficits “unsustainable” and reports that Judge Craig Griffin required Kokos to change the final portion of that statement.(⁠Orange Juice Blog)

• VillaPark.co — September 2026: Its OUSD candidate-statement coverage notes the August 27 court order requiring Ivan Kokos, Crystal Miles and Jack Chang to modify or delete portions of their candidate statements before printing. The site reproduces the revised Kokos statement subsequently posted by the Orange County Registrar of Voters, including his priorities of academic achievement, college/workforce readiness, fiscal responsibility, parent-teacher partnership, and teacher recruitment and retention. (⁠VillaPark.co)

• OC Register: Ivan Kokos, Orange Unified School District Area 1 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

Public Voting Record:

• None Found, Kokos has not held public office

Follow the Money: 

• Ivan and his slate-mates Crystal Miles, Jack Chang, and Chip Ahlswede have received $90,000 from the Lincoln Club OC, a far-right political group with anti-LGBTQ policy goals.

Orange USD School Board Area 4 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“SARA J. PELLY | AGE: 61 | Governing Board Member, Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 4

I was an elementary school teacher and principal for 34 years, I know what it takes to help our students succeed both today and tomorrow. I am a champion for public education who works

with parents, teachers, and the community. As your school board member, I find common ground, build trust, and form strong partnerships to move our schools forward. Building these

relationships is exactly why I have the endorsement of all of my fellow Orange Unified board members, our classroom teachers, and 4 out of 5 Villa Park City Council members, the city where I live.

I believe every child deserves a world‑class education, and am committed to providing a variety of programs to serve the unique needs of each student. It is critical that we start our young learners on the right path, and continue to provide learning opportunities as unique as our students. I’m proud of Orange Unified’s extensive Career Readiness programs for students who are not university-bound as well as a broad range of Advanced Placement classes. As a former principal, I understand the complexities of implementing innovative programs.

My priorities are:

• Updated Facilities - Every student deserves a safe, modern, and welcoming place to learn. This year I voted to approve a $40 million dollar investment in facilities improvements to our elementary schools.

• Resource Allocation - A true commitment to students means directing every dollar where it matters most - into the classroom. I have a unique perspective as the only board member with elementary classroom experience, and I successfully grew OUSD’s award winning Mandarin Immersion program. Using my four decades of diverse expertise, I am able to navigate complex educational issues. I know where to send your tax dollars for maximum benefit. By ensuring thoughtful distribution of resources, I will continue to safeguard fiscal responsibility.

• Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency - Taxpayers deserve to know how funds are used and to see clear benefits for students. I am also dedicated to bringing renewed focus on accountability and student outcomes, so that every decision we make reflects what matters  most - our students.

I hope you’ll stand with me in protecting our district, maintaining stability on our board, and continuing the upward trend of success. Together, we can build a future where every child is supported, every classroom thrives, and our community benefits.

I would be honored to have your vote.

https://www.pelly4ousd.com/”

Email: 

Campaign Website: https://www.pelly4ousd.com/

Priorities: Pelly does not have a priorities section of her website, but she does have the following; 

• “As a proud product and advocate of K-12 public schools, I believe every child has the right to a free, world-class education, and I will continue my work on the school board to ensure that the diverse needs of all students are met.  I was an elementary school teacher and principal for 34 years and I know how to support students, families, and hardworking teachers and employees who are the heart of OUSD.  As the only board member with elementary classroom experience, I have a unique perspective and understand the complexities of implementing innovative programs that will start young learners on the right path.

Parent and community involvement is essential to the success of every child, and I have spent years finding common ground, building trust, and forming strong partnerships. Together we will move this district forward creating a culture of caring, collaboration, innovation and success.

Students deserve for every dollar possible to be spent in the classroom and our community deserves leadership that will operate with transparency and fiscal responsibility, with no personal agendas or pet-projects. Great public schools are the best investment in the future any community can make. Together we can ensure a great future for our community.”

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Pelly was appointed to the role in spring 2024 and was elected in November 2024 to finish the partial term through 2026. (x) 

• Per our direct sources within the pro-LGBTQ+ OUSD Recall team that campaigned to recall anti-LGBTQ trustees Madison Miner and Rick Ledesma from the OUSD in March 2024 “Sara is an ally and supports LGBTQ+ students”.

• 35 years in education 

• Retired OUSD principal and teacher

• Degree in Elementary Education 

• Pelly was heavily involved in OUSD prior to being appointed to the board in early 2024, regularly attending OUSD school board meetings. She started the Mandarin immersion program at Fletcher, the school she was a principal at, and was a member of a number of OUSD groups. (x) 

• Sara worked between 2024 and 2026 as Literacy Director at Attallah College of Educational Studies, Chapman University. Per her Linkedin description of the role; “In my role as Literacy Director I worked with teacher candidates at Chapman University, supporting them in their submission of the CalTPA Credential Assessments.” (x) 

• In interviews with the OC Register regarding Pelly’s appointment in Spring of 2024, current Trustee Andrea Yamasaki said of her, “Her understanding of marginalized communities helps her understand a lot of our students in our district, which was important to me. (...) She will advocate for those who do not have a voice.” (x)

Social Media Links: 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Linkedin

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• CSEA DefendEd OC (Teachers’ Union group)

• Kathleen Treseder (Irvine City Council) 

• Pylbuzzadmin (progressive parent group in PYLUSD)

• Allyson Muñiz Damikolas (Tustin USD Trustee, LGBTQ / immigrant ally)

• Our Schools USA (Pride at the Pier partner org)

• Supporters of Public Education

• We the People for Education

• Vanesa Estrella FSD Trustee (Spoke at a 10/15/26 rally in support of two community watchers who were arrested by Santa Ana PD while exercising their legal right to observe ICE agents)

• The Charty B (Pride at the Pier close partner, tracks far-right extremists)

• Orange County Young Democrats

• Lavender Democrats OC

• WAVE

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• The OC Register asked Sara about her views on AB 1955.  

  • OC Register: “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”

  • Sara: “As a teacher and principal, I value every child as an individual, and one-size-fits-all all policies are in contradiction to the uniqueness of each child and family. Parent involvement is critical in the success of their child’s education. As a principal, I listened to parents’ concerns, and even when we didn’t agree, I made an effort to find common ground, which was the desire to do what was best for their child. Communication and collaboration are key elements in the partnership between schools and families, and that will always be a priority for me.” (x)

• The OC Register asked Pelly in their 2026 candidate questionnaire, “How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue?”. She replied, “To foster true civil discourse, schools must shift from competitive debates to structured, evidence-based dialogue. We can better engage students by teaching them how to evaluate diverse perspectives, ground their arguments in objective facts, and actively listen to opposing viewpoints without personal attacks. To achieve this, our district should adopt classroom frameworks that challenge higher-level thinking, while providing teachers with the professional development and resources they need to facilitate complex, modern conversations objectively and confidently. We must also establish formal spaces for students to practice these skills regularly. Giving students a platform to practice nonviolent conflict resolution and advocate for change on issues that directly affect them is ideal. By modeling civility at the leadership level and giving students the structural tools to navigate disagreements with empathy, we can prepare them to become active, constructive participants in our democracy.” (x) 

Endorsed by: 

• Orange County Young Democrats

• Supporters of Public Education

• Tony Thurmond (Current CA Superintendent of Public Instruction)

• Lou Correa (Congressman, California 46th District)

• Dave Min (Congressman, California 47th District)

• Derek Tran (Congressman, California 45th District)

• Avelino Valencia (State Assemblymember)

• Josh Newman (Former State Senator)

• Richard Barrera (State Superintendent Candidate)

• Vicente Sarmiento (Orange County Supervisor)

• Katrina Foley (Orange County Supervisor)

• Jordan Wu (Mayor, Villa Park City Council)

• Robert Frackelton (Mayor Pro Tem, Villa Park City Council)

• Nicol Jones (Council Member, Villa Park City Council)

• Kelly McBride (Council Member, Villa Park City Council)

• Chad Zimmerman (Council Member Elect, Villa Park City Council)

• Ana Gutierrez (Council Member, Orange City Council)

• Arianna Barrios (Council Member, Orange City Council)

• Connor Traut (Mayor, City of Buena Park)

• Brad Reese (Director, Serrano Water District, Division 1)

• Kathy Moffat (Former Trustee, Orange Unified School District)

• Jonathan Stone (Board President, Tustin Unified School District)

• Allyson Damikolas (Board Clerk, Tustin Unified School District)

• Carrie Buck (Board President, Placentia Yorba Linda USD)

• Katie Brazier (Board President, Santa Ana Unified School District)

• Carol Crane (Board President, Newport Mesa Unified School District)

Candidate in the News:

• (OC Register 2026) Sara Pelly, Orange Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

• (OC Register 2024) Orange Unified picks 2 new trustees to fill recall vacancies on the board

Follow the Money: 

• $8,854.24 from the Orange Unified Education Association Education Action Committee

• $1,000.00 from Women for American Value and Ethics (WAVE)

• $500 from Democratic Women of South Orange County

• $950 from Women in Leadership PAC

Orange USD School Board Area 4 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“CRYSTAL K. MILES | AGE: 57 | Councilmember/Business Owner

Transparency, accountability, and earning people's trust aren't new goals for me — they're how I've always led, as a city councilmember and small business owner. Families deserve a school system that treats every taxpayer dollar with the same discipline and care you would in running your household or business.

I strongly support parent rights and full access to curriculum information. Parents are partners in their children's education, not outsiders, and deserve a real seat at the table.

If elected, I will make sure teachers have the support they need, open district spending to real public scrutiny, and focus on improving academic outcomes for every student regardless of

background or ability.

My experience on the City Council, running a business, and raising my own sons in this district has taught me how to manage budgets responsibly and hold organizations accountable.

On the Villa Park City Council, I initiated our city's e-bike ordinance to help keep kids safe on our streets, proof I get results, not just talk.

Only 46% of our students are proficient in math and the Orange Unified School District ranks 13th out of 15 in overall quality. Our children deserve better!

I’d be honored to have your vote.

Visit my website at: ElectCrystalMiles.com”

Email: Her official campaign Facebook page has the following email: crystal@electcrystalmiles.com. Her husband, Kirk Miles, owns a business called United Industries, where Crystal Miles is the VP. There is a business email listed (domain is unitedindustries dot net) but it requires a company account to log in to view. 

Campaign Website: http://electcrystalmiles.com/

Priorities: 

• Parental rights and full access to curriculum information

• Transparency and accountability in district governance

• Fiscal responsibility and public scrutiny of district spending

• Improving student academic outcomes, particularly math proficiency and ESL students’ English scores

• Supporting teachers

• Strengthening parent engagement and school-family communication

• Student safety

• Enforcing Title IX and “fairness in girls’ sports” (she has not elaborated on whether she is anti-trans, but this is common anti-trans language. She has an endorsement from Sonja Shaw who is an influential anti-trans advocate. Actually, here’s her FB post showing her anti-trans rhetoric, which she claims upholds Title IX.)

• Against subsidized housing for teachers (Source)

Any Other Interesting Info:

• BA in Biological Science at CSUF 

• She was a Human Anatomy and Microbiology professor at CSUF before having her children and reportedly “redesigned” the science curriculum for Carden Private School in Whittier where she taught 2nd-8th grade students (I wasn’t able to find more details about what she did to change the school’s science curriculum).  (Source) (CSUF Alumni Instagram Post)

• She is running as nonpartisan now, but in 2024 she ran for the California State Senate District 37 race as an R candidate and got 14% of the votes, as listed on her BallotPedia entry. 

• Her OC Register interview feels completely AI-generated.

• She was elected to the Villa Park City Council in 2018 and in 2022. She served as Mayor in 2021. (Source)

• She is also connected to another private school - her children attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Orange and Fairmont Private School, where she served as President for the Fairmont Parent Association and served on the executive board for 5 years. (Source)

• “She is also the Chair of the Orange County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, where she leads efforts to ensure women and girls across the county are protected, supported, and heard.” (Source: her website)

Social Media Links: 

• Her website is ElectCrystalMiles.com (made in February)

• Her FB campaign page 

• Official campaign Instagram page

• Twitter/X

Additional info from her official campaign FB page:

• FB photo with Ivan Kokos

• FB photos showing her support for Strickland, Shader, Vo. and also Klopfenstein, Ahlswede, Chang. These candidates, or at least just Miles, Chang, Kokos, and Alswede, appear to be part of a group that meets at a private residence and uses the email ousdforward2026@gmail.com and the hashtag #Forward4OUSDStudents on FB.

• FB post conflating Democratic Socialism with Communism and claiming nonspecific indoctrination in schools and silencing of dissent. 

• Anti-trans FB post about trans girls in girls’ sports. Shows a photo of a fox news broadcast.

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• OUSD

• Beth Bourne (aggressive anti-LGBTQ activist, make a living off of stalking and doxxing LGBTQ children and their allies, most recently was arrested in Santa Rosa for trespassing after she would not stop harassing children at a student walk-out protesting a Pride Flag ban in their school district…. Not the first time she’s been arrested while targeting children)

• Parents Defending Education (a political group, anti-trans rhetoric, anti-cultural competency/racism training, claims far-left indoctrination in Minnesota schools, pro-current president)

• Ryley Niemi (Temecula based, anti-trans, anti-gay, anti-abortion MAGA influencer who got punched in the face for harassing a gay couple with their child this August)

• Amy Reichert for San Diego (very pro-ICE candidate)

• Moms for Liberty (anti-LGBT political organization that targets public schools)

• Nevada County Republican Party

• Sara Gonzalez (VP of Texas Family Project, very pro-ICE)

• EdSource

• This is a Woman Podcast (explicitly anti-trans podcast ran by Sophia Lorey)

• Leandra Blades (PYLUSD Trustee, extremely anti-LGBTQ, pro-ICE)

• Frank Rodriguez (Former Gays Against Groomers, extremely anti-LGBTQ)

• Sonia Shaw (CVUSD President, candidate for CA Superintendent of Public Instruction, EXTREMELY anti-LGBTQ)

• Hell’s Kitchen USA

• Michael Gates for CA Attorney General 2026 (recently posted a photo on his campaign socials posing with a violent Proud Boy, also extremely anti-LGBTQ, campaigns with Sonja Shaw)

• Orange County Fire Authority

• CA Charter Schools Association

• Chip Ahlswede for OUSD School Board

• Rhonda Shader for State Senate 2026

• SoCal Patriots

• US Border Control

• California Women’s Leadership Association PAC

• OCSD - Villa Park Police Services

• Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

• US Coast Guard

• Conservative Ant

• Supervisor Don Wagner

• ForAmerica

• Sammy’s Mexican Grill (I mean, sure)

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• Miles and her slate-mates Ivan Kokos and Chip Ahlswede were court-ordered to adjust their candidate statements as the language they used suggested inaccurately that OUSD’s student performances were in worse shape than the reality. That news was shared to social media platforms of community members who oppose Miles’ campaign. She took to her Facebook account to respond to the posts by those community members. “When an article misrepresents the facts and is immediately reinforced by a coordinated letter to the editor by activists and agitators, it usually says more about the authors than about me. For clarity, despite the headline’s wording, I was never charged with anything — legally or otherwise — and any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate. An error occurred in my ballot statement; it was corrected, and the court made no findings of misconduct. No charges were filed, and the judgment explicitly assigned no fault to either party.

The timing and coordination of these pieces suggest that the work I’m doing is resonating. People don’t organize messaging like this unless they feel its impact. Transparency and accountability make some individuals uncomfortable, and synchronized attempts to reshape the narrative are a predictable response to that.

I remain focused on facts, documentation, and serving our community with integrity. Efforts to distort or amplify misinformation won’t distract me from the work or from communicating clearly with the public. Voters deserve accuracy, not orchestrated spin — and I’ll continue to provide it. Over the past week, my fundraising numbers have increased — a sign that community members are paying attention and are tired of the same patterns of misinformation and deflection also known as fake news. I am grateful for everyone's support.” (x) 

NOTE: The “no charges were filed” in her statement is irrelevant to the facts of the article (which you can find further below). Crystal appears to have conflated criminal court and civil court, and the function of the court in cases like hers. Court ordered-actions are a legal recognition that the plaintiff was in the wrong and a requirement for corrections to be made. 

• The OC Register asked Miles a few questions in their 2026 candidate questionnaire. 

  • Q: “What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)”

  • A: “The two biggest needs in our district right now are rebuilding trust with families and getting our academic performance back on track.

Our district needs to refocus on academic fundamentals. State and local data show that student achievement has not fully recovered since COVID, and the gaps between student groups have become larger. We need to refocus on consistent, high‑quality instruction and ensure students are truly ready for the next grade level. Too often, students are promoted, and even graduated, without mastering essential skills, which sets them up for frustration later on. Students should leave each grade with strong skills in reading, writing, math, science, and civics. A safe, focused learning environment is essential because students need stability to stay engaged and make academic progress. I want to make sure teachers have the training, tools, and support they need, and that our curriculum includes parents as partners in helping students meet clear, rigorous expectations.

The second major need is rebuilding trust with families. Parents deserve clear, timely information about curriculum, budgets, contracts, and major decisions. Too often, that information is difficult to access or not communicated well. That includes accountability around spending — especially when outside contracts are used where internal capacity may be sufficient. I’m prepared to strengthen fiscal oversight, improve transparency, and make sure families can easily see what the district is doing and why.”

• On January 29th, Crystal posted on her Instagram, “Kirk and I had the pleasure of seeing a private screening of Melania tonight. It opens tomorrow and I would watch it again!! #45-#47 🇺🇸” (x) 

• On July 16th, she posted on Facebook, “I believe the foundation of democratic socialism (communism) is often laid in the classroom. The ideas taught to children today shape the leaders and voters of tomorrow. That’s why I believe our schools should focus on academics, critical thinking, balanced history, and civic responsibility—not political ideology. The future of our nation begins with education.” (x)

• “As a small business owner, I bring balanced oversight and a commitment to equal opportunity, including fairness in girls’ sports, enforcing Title IX and ensuring parents have a seat at the table.” (Source: her BallotPedia candidate survey)

• “Improving Public Comment Access and Open Office Hours for parents, staff and stakeholders. Public participation is essential to good governance, yet the district requires in‑person attendance to make public comment. If the public must be physically present to speak, many voices are never heard including those who work evenings, lack transportation, or have caregiving responsibilities. Since most boards offer alternative public‑comment options, OUSD should improve its process so participation isn’t limited to only those who can attend in person. I will also hold regular office hours for staff and parents, especially given the high turnover at the district office, and work to ensure bullying concerns are taken seriously and addressed early.”  (Source: her BallotPedia candidate survey)

Endorsed by: 

• Nancy’s Picks - Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

• Reform California - (far-right organization led by Carl DeMaio)

• Sonja Shaw (CVUSD President, candidate for CA Superintendent of Public Instruction, EXTREMELY anti-LGBTQ)

• Madison Miner (Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. Her public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.

• CA Republican Party

• Lincoln Club of OC - deeply conservative political group in Orange County, very anti-LGBTQ

• Fred Whitaker, Former OCGOP Chairman & Former Mayor of Orange.

• Mari Barke, OC Board of Education and Director-level at California Policy Center, a far-right think tank and anti-LGBTQ organization associated with the Heritage Foundation

Candidate in the News:

• (OC Register, 2026) Crystal Miles, Orange Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

• (California Courier 2026 - Pink Slime far-right propaganda) Crystal Miles Announces Bid to Restore Parental Rights and Transparency in OUSD

• (Foothill Sentry) Three OUSD board challengers charged with misleading statements

  • In August, Kokos, Miles, and Chang were ordered to correct some incorrect information on their ballot statements. Miles complained about the ruling on her FB page.

Public Voting Record:

According to CouncilBrief, Miles has voted 206 times, voted no 6 times, with 4 abstentions, and 1 recusal.

Follow the Money:

Donations from the 1962 PAC of the Lincoln Club of Orange County (Sep 25, 2026):

• $2,549.00 

• $3,846.00

• $2,002.00

• $4,971.00

• $1,702.00

• $15,070.00

Donations from North Orange County Business Alliance Council (Sep 16, 2026):

• $250 donated four times

Her donations to:

• The KAL group: $350 and $750

• Republican Party of OC: $300 donated twice

• Asian American Pacific Islander Voter Guide: $465 donated twice

• California Homeowners Voter Guide: $1,584.00 donated twice

• No Party Preference Voter Guide: $880.30 donated twice

• Educate Your Vote: $1,186.25

• Taxifornia Tax Fighters Newsletter: $2,057.00

• Woman's Voice: $1,452.30

• Save Prop 13: $2,057.00

• California Tax Reduction Committee: $2,057.00

• Continuing The Republican Revolution: $750.00

• California Public Safety Voter Guide: $2,059.49

• Integrated Solutions: Political: $165.00

Orange Unified School District Candidate

Candidate Statement: None Found

Email: None Found

Campaign Website: None Found - but you can find his campaign website for his presidential campaign here. 

Priorities: 

• None Found

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Armando is a perennial candidate who shows up on ballots most election cycles.. Here’s his “Armando for President” campaign website. (x) 

• His rhetoric is far right sprinkled with a handful of left rhetoric. He is in favor of a forced birthing policy and claims ‘Kamala supports abortions that kill babies’. Says ‘she is married to a Zionist Jew’. We are choosing not to promote these views by linking directly to his social media, but it can be found if you search for it.  

When the attempt to recall Newsom took place he put his name into the hat for Governor. His old governor website says: “FUTURE POLITICAL GOAL: Democratic Political Party Nomination for President of the United States of America as a historical vote to be the First Latino President in the advancement of Racial Equity & Inclusion 2024.”

• In Orange County, he’s also run for the OC Board of Education and the Orange County Municipal Water Board. 

• He has made a number of posts on his Twitter account representing; Bibi Netanyahu as Hitler, the Israeli flag with the swastika, while acknowledging the genocide of the Palestinian people. 

Social Media Links: 

• Twitter

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• None Found

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• The following is the full essay on his campaign page for his 2028 Presidential Run (separate from his 2024 Presidential Run). “I am Armando "Mando" Perez-Serrato and I will be running for President of the United States of America in 2028 as I did in 2024. I will be running as a working-class Democratic candidate.

In 2024, I had the foresight and courage to run against Biden and the Democratic Establishment because I knew they were going to lose and they did. If you want to win in 2028 #VoteMando.

For 2028, the Democratic Establishment will abandon democracy yet again by Anointing Gavin Newsom and he will lose just like Kamala. They both have the same policies, come from the same place, and believe in the same things that have resulted in Catastrophic results here in California. They both destroyed San Francisco together, they both destroyed California together and now they both want to destroy America together. 

Voters in swing states will not vote for them because they don't want their state to turn into California. Here in California Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris are responsible for making crime legal, rent/ mortgage is the highest in the country, highest taxes, highest grocery/gas prices, taxpayers paying for transgender surgeries, open borders, Billions in fraud of tax payer money and a homeless apocalypse. Men especially, younger men 18-35 and Latinos will not vote for Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris as proven in 2024.

The Democratic Party needs new, younger and dynamic candidates like me that put the working class first. Latino Voters will decide who becomes President in 2028. 

I am the perfect Latino candidate that can win in 2028 by achieving National Latino support, obtaining more votes from men and the idea of electing the "First" Latino President will create excitement in the electorate. Voters will want to be part of something historical similar to what happened with Obama. I am seeking your endorsement and support to be a Nationally Recognized Presidential Candidate to win in 2028 or be selected for Vice President. 

We already had a Black President and Vice President so that is no longer new or a novelty and as seen in 2024 Black people are not enough to vote in a Democrat, so if you want to win in 2028 you need to support a Latino and White candidate combination. It's time for Black people to support Latinos to become President or Vice President. Latinos have already helped Obama and Kamala be elected. Democrats if you want to win in 2028 #VoteMando.

Thank You, MANDO” (x)

• During his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, the LA Times asked him how he would direct the state to handle ICE if he won. Armando replied, “Immigration and Customs Enforcement is the sole responsibility of the federal government and the president of the United States. As a member of the Latino community my goal is to bring awareness to the border crisis that the Biden/Harris administration created!” (x)

  • NOTE: In April 2026, he posted on his Twitter account a sign that said ‘Mando for US Congress, No Trump No ICE’. 

Endorsed by: 

• None Found

Candidate in the News:

• “Meet the other recall candidates: Armando ‘Mando’ Perez-Serrato” - LA TIMES

• “Who is Armando Perez-Serrato, candidate in the California governor recall election” - Sacramento Bee

Public Voting Record:

• None Found

Follow the Money: 

• None Found

Orange USD School Board Area 5 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“KRISTIN "KRIS" ERICKSON

Governing Board Member, Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 5

Orange Unified has been my home for more than 50 years. My husband and I raised our  children here, and we are all proud OUSD graduates. For me, this isn't politics, it's personal. Long before my election in 2018, I was a student, parent, and volunteer here, and my commitment to our community hasn’t wavered. 

Two decades in PTA allowed me to support families and teachers across our campuses. My work earned me the California PTA's Golden Oak Award, its highest honor for service to children. I served as Santiago Middle School Charter Board President. In 2013, I co-founded CARE, a grassroots organization that advocated for the high schools’ campus modernization bond. Today our students benefit from the incredible upgrades that followed. 

I’ve practiced law for 33 years, much of it guiding young people through challenging times. This shapes the level-headed, practical thinking I bring to the board. As a volunteer, I worked directly with students coaching Mock Trial at El Modena. Several former students are now attorneys who endorse me. 

I’m an invested community member, serving on the board of a local non-profit, which combats poverty through family, food, and employment support, and I’ve mentored youth through Rotary Club’s Mentor Meals program. These experiences shaped my belief in the importance of supporting the whole child.

As Board President in 2025, I helped refocus our work on students, led the search for our superintendent, and rebuilt trust with our community. Since then, we've strengthened academic supports, expanded career and technical programs, and increased mental health services. It’s making a difference - our scores are rising faster than other districts and outpacing the state. Our graduation rate is substantially higher than the state average. Additionally, we have invested $57 million in campus and technology improvements, using money we had responsibly saved. 

Good decisions start with listening. I visit our schools and talk with students and parents regularly. Every student's path is different, and I remain committed to strengthening student academic achievement, improved facilities, transparent communication and expanded academic and career options for all students. 

I'm officially endorsed by our classroom teachers, fellow school board members, and hundreds of parents, community members, and elected officials. This district gave me opportunities I never thought I’d have. It raised me, my husband, and our children, and I want every child who comes after us to soar. I respectfully ask for your vote. 

Kris4OUSD.com”

Email: Not Found

Campaign Website: http://kris4ousd.com/

She has a page on her campaign website labeled “Recent Accomplishments”, with extensive details under labels like; ‘New Leadership, New Momentum’, ‘Academic Excellence & National Recognition’, ‘Responsible Fiscal Stewardship’, ‘Student Safety & Wellbeing’, ‘Communication & Coordination’, ‘Special Education’, ‘Investments in Elementary Schools’. 

Priorities: 

• Responsible Leadership Through Turbulent Times

• Delivering on Measure S and Modernizing Our Schools

• A Future‑Ready Education for Every Student

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Kris is the incumbent in this seat, having assumed office in 2019 source

• She worked as an Orange County Public Defender from 1992 to 2000, and has had her own firm since 2000. source 

• She received her BA in Social Sciences from UCI and her law degree from Western State University College of Law. source 

Social Media Links: 

• Campaign Facebook

• Linkedin

• Campaign Instagram

• Campaign Instagram #2

• Twitter (has not posted since the end of 2021)

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• Central Orange County Democratic Club

• Barack Obama

• Voice for OUSD (Generally progressive community group)

• Tim Walz

• Vicente Sarmiento (OC Supervisor with voter record of LGBTQ+ allyship)

• Nancy Watkins (Public Ed advocate and fmr. Candidate for OC Board of Ed, LGBTQ+ ally)

• Dave Min

• Valerie Amezcua (Santa Ana Mayor, Democrat who has been heavily criticized by immigrant justice and police accountability advocates for her actions in office)

• Katrina Foley

• Carrie Buck (PYLUSD Trustee with voter record of LGBTQ+ allyship)

• Allyson Damikolas (Tustin USD Trustee with voter record of LGBTQ+ allyship)

• Lavender Democrats OC

• Hector Bustos (openly gay President of the Santa Ana USD board)

• WAVE

• Our Schools USA

• Public Schools Defenders Hub

• OC Young Dems

• Church of the Foothills (Progressive Church in Tustin, has hosted Pride at the Pier events in the past)

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• On July 23rd, 2026, Erikson posted on her facebook page, “I joined educators and elected officials yesterday for an incredible visit with the Pechanga Tribe to learn about their culture and hear about The People of the West, a documentary series they spent more than six years creating. Complete with curriculum, it starts to share the story of California’s indigenous peoples’ history. Standing before Wi’áaşal, The Great Oak, was truly indescribable. This living ancestor, from whom they all descend, is over 20 feet around and nearly 100 feet tall. It embodies the strength, wisdom, and determination of the Pechanga people. Its sheltering branches carry meaning far beyond its physical presence and being there was so serene. It was an inspiring and deeply educational day, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and honor the stories that shape this land.” The documentary, The People of the West, is a ten-part documentary series about the history of California through the eyes of the people who have lived here long before European invasion, colonization, and genocide. It debuted June 2026, and was directed by Brad Munoa, who is a member of the Pechanga tribe. You can find more information about it here. 

• On June 19, 2026, she posted on her Facebook, “❤️Happy Juneteenth! On June 19, 1865, 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, the news of emancipation finally reached Galveston, Texas. Generations since have carried that moment forward with joyful community celebrations. Today is a celebration of culture, strength, and the ongoing journey toward a more just and inclusive future. Wishing everyone a beautiful and joy‑filled Juneteenth.”

• On June 7, 2026, she posted on her Facebook, “🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈 ALL students deserve to feel safe, seen, and supported, so they can truly learn and dream of a successful future. Equality isn’t symbolic - it’s a commitment to protecting those singled out or targeted simply for being themselves.  In OUSD, we choose compassion. We choose opportunity. We choose to lift up every young person so they can learn, grow, and thrive. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜”

• Erickson was interviewed for a long-form article from The Nation in 2024, who quoted her in their review of Orange USD. An excerpt of that article is as follows; “The board also began inviting hard-right speakers from around the country, who riled up an already angry audience. At one point a few months back, a riot broke out and the three liberal trustees on the board had to flee for their lives. The violence, says liberal trustee Kris Erickson, an attorney who herself went to the OUSD schools as a child, “is kind of a carryover from Covid. That’s where it began, and it’s kind of just snowballed. What’s happening now is not normal, it’s not civil discourse.” Erickson and others have been subjected to death threats and other forms of trolling; teachers in the district have been publicly named as being “groomers, predators, and pedophiles.” A quarter of the district’s administrators have quit, viewing the political climate as too dangerous to continue working in. It is, Erickson says, ‘aggressive, it’s toxic, it’s ugly.’”

• Regarding the successful recall of anti-LGBTQ+ trustees Rick Ledesma and Madison Miner from the OUSD board in 2024, Erickson said, “I think the community spoke loudly and pretty clearly about what it wanted and what they were not happy with and not being happy with the way things were going.” Miner has moved on and is now the chair of Moms For Liberty OC. 

• When a forced outing policy was up for vote in 2023, Erickson opposed it, saying, "This type of issue should be between a parent and a child. It shouldn't be between a teacher, a parent and a child." source

• In the aftermath of the OUSD board vote to approve a forced outing policy in 2023 and the violence that exploded in the board room from anti-LGBTQ+ extremist factions, Trustees Erickson, Yamasaki and Page (who all voted in opposition) issued a joint statement. In part, it said, “By bringing culture wars into Orange Unified, the Ledesma majority has invited the most radical elements into our district, OUR home. We can only imagine how difficult it is for our LGBTQ youth to exist in this toxic and hateful environment where politicians are exploiting their very existence to score political points. The policy's five-day forced outing is arbitrary and cruel and has no basis in good mental health practice. We provide no ongoing support for these students and families that we inject ourselves into – on our timeline, not theirs – to confront a sensitive and nuanced issue they may not be ready to deal with. This will force young people back into the closet to deal with difficult issues alone. It’s shameful.”  source

• In a Voice of OC article regarding the forced outing policy in 2023, Erickson was quoted as saying, “I have three concerns: one is the targeting and discrimination of trans and nonbinary students. Two is the high likelihood of expensive litigation that I think will come from this, and three is the blatant government interference in the family unit that this mandates.” source

Endorsed by: 

• Orange County Young Democrats

• Supporters of Public Education

• Orange County organization supporting public education and candidates committed to strong public schools.

Candidate in the News:

• (Voice of OC) Two New Members Appointed to Orange Unified School Board After Recall

• (The Nation) The Right-Wing Pretexts of Parents’ and Children’s Rights

• (Voice of OC) Orange School Board Gets New President in Wake of Recall

• (Voice of OC) Will Orange Unified Approve a Transgender Outing Policy Despite State Legal Threats?

• (PBS NewsHour) California sues district that requires parents be notified if their kids change their gender or pronouns

• (OC Register) Orange Unified suspends digital library after parents’ book complaints

• (LA Times) Orange Unified board approves parental notification when a student identifies as transgender

• (Los Angeles Blade) OUSD school board passes anti-trans policy after toxic meeting

• (Voice of OC) Orange Unified School District Considers Notifying Parents of Transgender Students

• (EdSource) Orange Unified’s conservative majority fires superintendent with a day’s notice

Public Voting Record:

• She adamantly opposed a forced outing policy vote in 2023, at a series of school board meetings that ultimately escalated to violence sparked by Proud Boys, hate group LOKA, and other anti-LGBTQ+ extremists, and resulted in death threats towards Erickson and the other trustees who opposed it. The policy passed but enforcement was blocked when AB 1955 was passed that same year. source 

• She voted against firing the district’s superintendent in 2023. This firing, which did go through, was led by Trustees Ledesma and Miner. Both trustees were successfully recalled just over a year later, largely due to the community’s disapproval of the firing, which was seen as overtly political. source 

Follow the Money: 

• $2,195 from Orange Unified Education Association Education Action Committee (local teacher’s union)

Contributed:

• $195 to Ana Page’s 2024 OUSD campaign

• $150 to Jessie Lopez’ 2024 Santa Ana City Council campaign

Orange USD School Board Area 5 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“CHIP AHLSWEDE | Parent/Businessman

Our Orange Unified School District Board of Directors has been through a lot recently, swinging from extremes and taking its eyes off its purpose, to educate school kids, keep them safe while at school, and prepare them for an increasingly challenging world.

I am running for OUSD School Board for these reasons only:

• to get our District focused back on these priorities,

• stop the politics, and

• give our children the best opportunity for the life they deserve.

I am a lifelong Orange County resident. My wife and I have raised our three sons here in the community. They are all the product of our local schools. These schools have been very important to our family, which is why I have served on the School Site Council at elementary

and middle schools and the high school football booster club. I am also a local businessman, working to make housing affordable and attainable for working families.

I believe:

• It’s not acceptable that OUSD test scores rank near the worst in Orange County.

• It’s not right that the current Board has mismanaged public dollars without accountability or transparency to parents and taxpayers.

We can do better. I’d be honored to earn your vote.

Find out more at Chip4OUSD.com.”

• NOTE: A judge ordered Chip and slate-mates Crystal Miles, Jack Chang, and Ivan Kokos to change their candidate statements after it was found that they misled voters with incorrect suggestions that the district reported a structural deficit, that quality rankings of OUSD were poor and that test scores were dropping. 

Email: chip@chipahlswede.com 

Campaign Website: https://chipahlswede.com/

Priorities: 

• Community Connections

• District Finances

• Education First

• Engagement 

• Financial Transparency

• School Safety

• Youth Sports

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Chip is part of a slate running on an anti-LGBTQ platform, along with Crystal Miles, Ivan Kokos, and Jack Chang. His individual campaign does not speak as heavily on the LGBTQ+ community, but the slate as a whole does, and he has not separated his campaign from that platform. He has also contributed campaign funding to their campaigns. (x)

• Chip attended the 2026 CA GOP Conference in San Diego. (x) The CA GOP platform promoted at that conference included, in their words, “Parental Rights & Education: Emphasizing local school board control, merit-based admission in higher education, and expanding parental oversight in public education.”. It’s very important to note that in practice “Parental Rights” has been a dog-whistle used to promote book banning, removal of LGBTQ+ related topics and ethnic studies from curriculum, and forced outing policies. 

• He is the District Director (legislative staffer) for current State Senator Tony Strickland, who was formerly on the Huntington Beach City Council and voted for the city’s Pride Flag ban. While in the State Senate, Strickland has received consistently failing marks from advocacy groups for his voting record, including; CA Environmental Justice Alliance, California Food and Farming Network, Equality CA, Health Access, Planned Parenthood, TURN (The Utility Reform Network), United Food & Commercial Workers Western States Council, and more. NOTE: These scores are not Chip’s - he is a staffer for Strickland supporting his legislative career. (x) (x) (x)

• He is one of several conservative political candidates/elected officials in Orange County who works professionally as a lobbyist for the real estate industry, with a career that includes; 

  • Vice President of External Affairs, Apartment Association of Orange County

  • CEO of Beverly Hills/Greater LA Association of Realtors

  • Partner in “Government Affairs Strategies LLC” (we believe this his is own boutique consulting firm) (x)

• This ties in to a post he made on his campaign instagram, where he speaks about the properties that belong to Orange USD, suggesting that the district should investigate ways to make them “assets”. (x)

• Chip is well-connected in national politics, even sharing posts on social media about being invited to stay at a Congressmember’s house during a trip to Washington D.C. (x)

Social Media Links: 

• Facebook

• Instagram

• Personal Instagram (His handle is @cagop) 

• Linkedin

• Twitter

• Tiktok

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• Leandra Blades (PYLUSD Trustee, extreme anti-LGBTQ activist who has participated in the targeting of trans youth in SoCal and attended anti-trans rallies)

• Sonja Shaw (CVUSD Trustee, CA Superintendent of Public Instruction, EXTREMELY anti-LGBTQ, running her entire campaign on this issue)

• Gracey Van Der Mark (Huntington Beach City Councilmember, candidate for CA State Assembly, extremely involved in anti-LGBTQ activism since before her time in office, known for her book-banning efforts with the Huntington Beach library)

• Log Cabin Republicans (explicitly anti-trans as of 2026)

• Lincoln Institute of CA (far-right political organization)

• Jordan Peterson (Canadian far-right influencer and speaker)

• Madison Miner (Former OUSD Trustee, current chair of Moms For Liberty OC)

• Donald Trump HQ 

• Dinesh D’Souza (Pro-ICE, Anti-LGBTQ, openly Christian Nationalist political influencer)

• NAR Advocacy (NAR: National Association of Realtors)

• Santa Clara Association of Realtors

• Arizona Realtors

• Apartment Association of OC

• CAR Government Affairs (CAR: California Realtors)

• San Antonio Board of Realtors

• Realtors San Diego

• Texas Realtors

• Chicago Realtors

• Beach Real Estate Group 

  • This is an incomplete list of the realtor-associated groups he follows. 

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• On October 16th, he shared to his personal instagram a picture of a left-wing freeway overpass protest sign that says “NO KINGS VOTE EARLY” with the caption, “They don’t vote at all actually… punctuation matters! (...) Gotta love protesters” (x)

• On September 10, 2024, he posted a photo on his instagram of a sign on public transit in the UK that said, “We plan to cut all homeless people in half by 2025”, with the caption, “I mean… it’s gonna get messy but big problems require bold solutions…” Someone commented with “Wouldn't that technically double the amount of homeless people though?” and he replied, “I was told there would be no math.” (x)

• Ahlswede responded to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

  • Question: What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them? 

  • Answer: “1) Academic success: Currently, about 41% of OUSD kids are not proficient in English, and 54% are not proficient in math. US News and World Report shows OUSD high school graduates college readiness below 50%. OUSD currently ranks 13 out of 15 school districts, and test scores are average. Average should not be OUSD’s goal. None of those are acceptable results. When comparing the socioeconomic and educational status of households, an even bigger divide emerges. I would establish public academic benchmarks, compare OUSD results with similar high-performing districts, and focus resources on early intervention, literacy, math, and programs designed to support parents and students, giving them a chance to succeed.

2) Restore trust: The current board voted itself a 400% pay increase without discussion. At the same time, the district has done very little to eliminate the pressures of declining enrollment and rising operating costs. We need to return the focus to benchmarking academic outcomes, schools’ performance, and administrative staffing/ spending to comparable districts. The public deserves an open discussion on the district’s strengths and the risks ahead.

• Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? 

• Answer: “A school board should govern, not micromanage.

The board’s ultimate responsibility is straightforward: make sure resources, policies and leadership are producing better opportunities and better outcomes for students.

Its job is to establish clear goals and policies, adopt a responsible budget, set goals for and evaluate the superintendent, protect the public’s funds and district assets, and hold the district accountable for measurable student outcomes. The board should ask hard questions and set clear guardrails; administrators and educators should have room to do their jobs within them.

Curriculum is part of that oversight responsibility, but writing lesson plans is not. The board should ensure curriculum is lawful, academically rigorous, age-appropriate, aligned with adopted standards, transparent to parents, and evaluated for results. Teachers should retain professional judgment about how best to teach the students in front of them – and the board should do what it can to support them.

Good governance also requires transparency. Major decisions should come with understandable information, meaningful public notice and an explanation of the tradeoffs before the vote—and encourage meaningful community input before consequential votes.”

• Question: How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited?

• Answer: “AI is a tool and should be treated as such.

Where safety is concerned, student information should never be entered into an AI system that has not been district-approved with appropriate privacy safeguards, and AI should never replace human judgment in any consequential decision such as grading or discipline.

AI can assist with research – and provides an opportunity to learn how to check references if taught correctly. AI should be used to compile and explain data sets – and provides an opportunity to better understand how to utilize data for projects. Students should learn to prompt AI, evaluate its output, and verify its sources.

We should be teaching the ethical use and application of AI because it will be a large part of how society operates moving forward. AI is not, however, a replacement for doing the work, nor is it a substitute for learning. When AI substitutes for a student’s own thinking or produces work the student represents as their own, that is where its use should be limited.”

• Question: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? 

• Answer: “Jonathan Swift said, ‘Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it.’

Social media has accelerated incivility, misinformation, and consequence-free personal attacks.

Schools have the opportunity to counteract this by encouraging more discussion amongst students on pertinent issues, current events, and controversial topics in a manner that allows students to express themselves respectfully. Programs such as Mock Trial, Model UN, Toastmasters youth programs and iCivics can also give students structured opportunities to disagree, persuade and listen in good faith.

These activities, programs, and lesson plans are specifically designed to elevate the conversation between people, and the district should be engaging as many such programs as possible.

• Question: Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? 

• Answer: “The creative approaches districts are using to attract and retain teachers are worth examining, but there are limits to what a school district should try to provide directly. If workforce housing is a consideration, OUSD should partner with private sector or non-profit housing professionals rather than trying to serve as a builder or property manager itself.

Attracting great talent is a matter of the most attractive package – working with mentorship programs, established career ladders, and help accessing student-loan forgiveness, tuition assistance, credential programs and professional advancement.

Retention often comes down to leadership and working conditions. Providing a safe, stable, supportive atmosphere where teachers know administrators will consistently enforce reasonable discipline policies and support them when serious classroom problems arise. OUSD also has the Teacher Training Specialist program that recently won the Orange County Department of Education’s Innovation Grant – similar innovations would help retain teachers.

• Question: What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job?

• Answer: “I come to this race first as an OUSD parent. My wife and I have raised three children in Orange Unified, and I have served on school site councils at Villa Park Elementary and Cerro Villa Middle School, along with other school and youth activities. I have seen the district both as a parent and a volunteer.

Professionally, I have spent more than 25 years leading organizations, developing policy, managing strategic initiatives and working with government, business and community stakeholders. I have served as a CEO, currently work in association leadership, and serve on the city of Orange Park Planning and Community Events Commission.

Those experiences taught me that leadership is not having the loudest answer in the room. It is defining the objective, listening to the people closest to the problem, understanding the numbers, making a decision and then measuring whether it worked.

My priorities follow from that: stronger academic outcomes, safe schools, transparent finances, meaningful parent involvement and more pathways for students to succeed after graduation.

I am running to bring practical governance and accountability to those priorities.”

• Question: If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? 

• Answer: “I would probably go with my dog Bowie; she is a Border Collie.

Border Collies are smart, loyal, observant, and hardworking, but most importantly, they are herding dogs with a singular focus to guide their flock to an ultimate goal. Their instinct is to watch over the flock, keep everyone together and step in when something is going wrong.

This mirrors my leadership style in many ways. A deliberate approach to staying on task: Pay attention. Know what is happening. Look out for the people you are responsible for. Work hard, stay focused and don’t create unnecessary drama. But when something important needs protecting, be willing to stand your ground.

Serving as a school board trustee is ultimately about looking out for students, supporting families and teachers, and making sure the district stays focused on giving every student the opportunity they deserve in order to succeed.”

• Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

• Answer: “I had been waiting to read Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever’s ‘World Travel: An Irreverent Guide’ for a while.

Bourdain didn’t treat travel simply as sightseeing; he used it as a way to understand people —usually through their food, their neighborhoods, their history, and the way they actually live. His sense of curiosity and respect for others was inspiring. Bourdain was never afraid of the unfamiliar. A line he wrote elsewhere that captures this outlook: ‘As you move through this life… you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you.’ Travel at its best reminds us how large the world is and how limited our own perspective can be. You can learn a tremendous amount simply by being curious enough to ask questions, adventurous enough to experience something unfamiliar, and humble enough to listen to the answer. We could all benefit from the lessons travel provides – whether it’s across the street or across the world.”

Endorsed by: 

• Nancy’s Picks - Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

• Reform California - (far-right organization led by Carl DeMaio)

• Madison Miner (Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. Her public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.)

Candidate in the News:

• OC Register: Chip Ahlswede, Orange Unified School District Area 5 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

Public Voting Record:

• None Found, he has not held publicly elected office

Follow the Money: 

• Chip and his slate-mates Crystal Miles, Jack Chang, and Ivan Kokos have received $90,000 from the Lincoln Club OC, a far-right political group with anti-LGBTQ policy goals.

• $500 from CA Real Estate PAC (CREPAC)

• $2,500 Orange County Charter Advocates for Great Public Schools

  • NOTE: The PAC name is misleading. This is an explicitly charter-school org.

• $7,500 from Fieldstead and Company - Howard F. Ahmanson (Ahmanson is a well-known Christian Nationalist philanthropist)

• $1,000 from Anaheim Police Assn PAC

• $1,000 from OC Taxpayers Assoc.

• $1,000 from Talley and Associates Inc. (OC-based lobbying/political consulting company)

Orange USD School Board Area 7 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“JACK CHANG | Business Executive/Parent

I believe parents, not politicians, should be the ones stepping up to serve on local school board because they have a vested interest in quality education for all students. That’s why I’ve stepped up to be a voice for parents on the Orange Unified School District.

My family lives here and my children have attended local schools.

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe, supportive learning environment where they can reach their full potential.

I am committed to responsible spending of your tax dollars by promoting transparency, accountability, and thoughtful budgeting that prioritizes students, teachers, and classroom expenses not Bureaucrats.

Only 46% of students are proficient at math. This needs to change. Let’s get back to basics by

strengthening reading, writing, math, science, and critical thinking curriculum to help students discover their talents and prepare for college, jobs, and life.

I believe parents and families are vital partners in education. We need a new approach to educating our children that puts students first. By listening, working together, and focusing on what unites us, we can ensure every student can succeed.

I would be honored to have your vote. Visit my website at

ElectJackChang.com”

• NOTE: A judge ordered Jack and slate-mates Crystal Miles, Chip Ahlswede, and Ivan Kokos to change their candidate statements after it was found that they misled voters with incorrect suggestions that the district reported a structural deficit, that quality rankings of OUSD were poor and that test scores were dropping. 

Email: Not Found

Campaign Website: http://electjackchang.com/

His “about me” concludes with “Students will always come first alongside parental rights and empowerment”

Priorities: 

• Jack does not provide any of his priorities on his campaign website. 

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Per his website, he volunteers as the Parking Ministry Lead at his local church. 

• Chang is a part of the anti-LGBTQ activism network linked with Sonja Shaw. He is running on a slate with Crystal Miles, Chip Ahlswede, and Jack Ivan Kokos, all of whom are campaigning within the anti-LGBTQ activism circles and leaning on language like “parental rights” that the average populace does not pick up on as coded language for book bans, conservative curriculum control, forced outing policies, and the targeting of trans students.

• According to his campaign website, Jack received his MBA from the private religious Notre Dame University best known for its football program. 

Social Media Links: 

• Instagram

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

NOTE: This is an incomplete list of the accounts of note Chang follows, abbreviated for brevity. 

• Leandra Blades (PYLUSD Trustee, openly anti-LGBTQ, history of targeting SoCal trans kids, friends with Sonja Shaw, documented J6er)

• Gracey Van Der Mark (Huntington Beach City Council, perhaps known best for her championing of the effort to ban books in the HB Public Library, extremely anti-LGBTQ)

• Protect Our Kids (anti-LGBTQ group led by ousted OUSD Trustee and Moms For Liberty chair Madison Miner)

• Sonja Shaw (CVUSD Trustee, CA Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate, and extreme, full-time anti-LGBTQ activist.)

• Justin Aguirre (PYLUSD Trustee running explicitly on an anti-LGBTQ platform and not much else)

• Art Gomez (close friend of Sonja Shaw who is heavily involved in her anti-LGBTQ activism, Socal Regional Director of Latinos United for Conservative Action. Art has also partnered with the extremist anti-abortion group The Survivors which managed to shut down a Planned Parenthood event in Riverside [x] )

• Kelly Felton (TUSD Trustee, anti-LGBTQ activism record for several years prior to running for office)

Candidate’s Public Comments: 

• On September 23, 2026, Chang posted an AI-generated image on his instagram, with the caption, “Super grateful for the endorsement from the Golden Ticket, @michael.e.gates and @sonjashaw2026. 

Please pay close attention to the attorney general and state superintendent race for California. It’s imperative that these 2 individuals win this November.

But don’t forget about the OUSD race!” (x)

• NOTE: Please be sure to read our research on Sonja Shaw and Michael Gates further down this page for further insight into their anti-LGBTQ stances.

• Chang responded to the Ballotpedia questionnaire. When asked what his three priorities were, he responded; 

  • “Early elementary will be crucial to establish a strong foundation for the next generation of students. They must be able to read, write, and do grade level math before the (sic*) graduate from 6th grade. Special attention must be placed here.

  • Transparency for parents including parental notification. (sic*)

  • Fiscal responsibility. Transparency in expenditures.”

  • NOTE: The grammar error in the first bullet point of his reply is original to his reply. We underlined his second reply to highlight the callout to Forced Outing Policies, which school districts are not legally allowed to enforce. 

• Chang responded to the OC Register’s Candidate Questionnaire:

  • Question: What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them?

  • Answer: “Address declining enrollment across all of OUSD, which ultimately leads to less money for the schools. Some reasons are exogenous to OUSD, like a decline in birth rates. However, there are many other factors leading to declining enrollment, such as homeschooling, private schools, and charter schools. I think we first need to understand why parents are choosing to send their children away from OUSD to see if there are a few root causes.

Second is to raise the bar for academic achievement by targeting and giving priority to programs and spending that will have a direct impact on test scores. Any spending not directly tied to the basics will be scrutinized and voted against by me.”

• Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? 

• Answer: “It’s both driving policy and being involved in curriculum. The board makeup shouldn’t be entirely former educators, but it helps if it has diversity in professional backgrounds. The board shouldn’t have granular involvement in curriculum (that’s the superintendent’s job), but the overall scope and direction of curriculum should certainly be under the purview of the board.”

• Question: How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited?

• Answer: “Students should definitely learn about AI and what AI can do and how it’s evolving. There should be lessons and projects that involve AI for the purposes of learning it and how to use it. However, aside from this, it should be strongly minimized in most aspects of education. Students will slowly lose the ability to write and think on their own if allowed full access to AI, especially when it comes to critical thinking and writing. I have a real problem with take-home tests. It becomes too easy to use technology to come up with the right answers.”

• Question: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? 

• Answer: “Provide a truly safe space for thoughts and ideas to be shared where neither side will be demonized for their opinions, especially by the teachers themselves. It is not the teacher’s job to groom or influence their students socially or politically; rather, it is to create a space for the students to think critically for themselves after hearing truly objective facts without bias or slant. The only way to achieve this is through self-monitoring and, as required, observation. Stick to the facts. If giving one side, always present the counterargument without injecting your opinion (the teacher).

• Question: Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? 

• Answer: “Teachers are at the center of students’ education, so their well-being is critically important for success. With potential budget shortfalls across many school districts, I’m not sure how this can be addressed in terms of housing subsidies. However, we can attract better teachers by starting the hiring process as early as possible so we can lock in commitments from the highly qualified ones. We can provide teacher testimonials and truly convey the school district’s overall brand. Compensation is always a factor in the discussion, so do a comparative analysis to make sure our district is competitive.”

• Question: What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? 

• Answer: “I bring with me over 15 years in the finance and accounting field. Also over 10 years in recruiting. So I bring a unique perspective to a school board. I’m able to be fiscally responsible and help students with potential career development programs.”

• Question: If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

• Answer: “The owl. It would be a wise choice.”

• Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

• Answer: “‘Gentle and Lowly’ by Dane Ortlund. Truly captures the heart and love of Jesus.”

Endorsed by: 

• (!!) Nancy’s Picks - Nancy’s Picks (far-right voter guide in Orange County, whose criteria for endorsement include “PRO-LIFE & PROTECTIONS for the UNBORN”, “PRO-SANCTITY of HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE”, “PRO-PARENTAL RIGHTS in EDUCATION”, “PRO-NUCLEAR FAMILY”, “SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL and IT’S RIGHT to EXIST”, “SECURE & SEAL OUR BORDERS”, and more. 

• (!!) Reform California - (far-right organization led by Carl DeMaio)

• (!!) Madison Miner (Chair, Moms for Liberty’s Orange County Chapter. Her public positions and endorsements are posted at her Instagram social media site madison4oc.  Madison Miner won an Orange Unified school board seat in 2022. Voters recalled her in 2024. The L. A. Times reported that Miner was one of two conservative board members who had spearheaded policies widely opposed by advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in a recall election viewed as a local bellwether for the culture wars in education.

• OC Supervisor Don Wagner (voted yes on a Pride Flag Ban in 2023

• (!!) OC Board of Education Member Mari Barke (Director-level at the anti-LGBTQ group California Policy Center, in the Heritage Foundation network)

• OC Board of Education Member Tim Shaw (anti-LGBTQ voter record)

• OC Board of Education Member Jorge Valdez (anti-LGBTQ voter record)

• OC Board of Education Member Dr. Ken Williams (anti-LGBTQ voter record)

• (!!) Sonja Shaw (EXTREMELY anti-LGBTQ candidate for CA Superintendent of Public Instruction)

• Orange County Board of Education Dr. Lisa Sparks (anti-LGBTQ voter record)

• Fmr. OC GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker

• Lincoln Club OC

• Republican Party of OC

Candidate in the News:

• OC Register: Jack Chang, Orange Unified School District Area 7 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

Public Voting Record:

• None Found, candidate has not held public office

Follow the Money: 

• Jack Chang and his slate-mates Crystal Miles, Chip Ahlswede, and Ivan Kokos have received $90,000 from the Lincoln Club OC, a far-right political group with anti-LGBTQ policy goals.

• $7,500 from Fieldstead and Company - Howard Ahmanson. Ahmanson is a well-known Christian Nationalist philanthropist, and gives thousands to candidates matching his values every election cycle. 

• $100 from Madison Miner, former OUSD Trustee who was recalled in 2024 and now chairs the OC Moms For Liberty chapter.

Orange USD School Board Area 5 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“STEPHEN GLASS | AGE: 58 | Governing Board Member, Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7

As President of the Orange Unified School District Board of Education, I keep students at the center of every decision.

This community is my home. My wife, a school principal, and I chose Orange Unified schools for our children because we believe in the opportunities this district provides. Like every parent, we want schools that are safe, academically rigorous, fiscally responsible, and welcoming to every student. I am invested in Orange Unified’s success.

For nearly three decades, I have dedicated my professional life to public education. I have served as a classroom teacher, principal, district administrator, and university professor. These

experiences have prepared me to ask difficult questions, evaluate complex decisions, and keep teaching and learning at the center of district governance. I know successful schools require strong leadership, sound financial management, meaningful partnerships with families, and exceptional teachers and staff.

As your elected trustee and Board President, I have worked to strengthen transparency, promote respectful and effective governance, support stable district leadership, and ensure

responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds. I have supported investments in safe campuses, high-quality instruction, and the employees who serve our students every day. Drawing on my

experience as a principal and district administrator, I helped guide the thoughtful selection of a new superintendent, emphasizing stable leadership, accountability, and long-term planning while keeping students and classrooms at the center of our work.

I am especially proud when I see our students recognized for academic achievement, artistic talent, athletic excellence, service, and perseverance. Those moments remind me that board decisions ultimately affect real children, families, classrooms, and futures.

Public education is one of our community’s most important investments. Strong schools strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, protect property values, and prepare tomorrow’s workforce. This responsibility demands experienced leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, collaboration, and service. 

Orange Unified has made progress, but important work remains. We must accelerate student achievement, maintain safe and modern campuses, recruit and retain exceptional employees, preserve valuable programs, and exercise prudent fiscal oversight. We must

also listen to families, support educators, and ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, and civic life.

I am honored to serve this community and grateful for the trust you have placed in me. I respectfully ask for your vote for re-election so we can continue moving Orange Unified forward and build a stronger future for every student, family, and school.

www.drglass4ousd.com”

Email: I don’t see any emails listed on his social media. Maybe his LinkedIn has an email to contact, but I haven’t been able to view it. He has an email with his first initial, last name, and potentially a number at the end, at orangeusd dot org. Possible private/personal email addresses: stephen.glass@gmail.com, senkhat@aol.com.

Campaign Website: http://www.drglass4ousd.com/

Priorities: 

• “Developing and expanding curriculum initiatives that cater to diverse student needs and interests, including advanced placement courses and career readiness programs”

• “Strengthening partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations to foster a collaborative approach to student success and well-being”

• “Ensuring transparent and efficient management of educational resources to maximize student outcomes and support long-term sustainability in educational programs.”

• “Investing in ongoing training and professional development opportunities for educators to enhance teaching practices and student engagement.”

• Source: https://www.drglass4ousd.com/

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Glass was elected to this seat in 2024, as a partial-term replacing two trustees who had been recalled after a number of scandals, including their anti-LGBTQ policy efforts. Since that was a short term, he is running again now for the full term. 

• Current job title: Educator – Distinguished Faculty in Residence (CSULB) Source

• May be associated with Yamasaki, Erikson, Pelly, Page. Their campaign signs are placed together in photos in Glass’s campaign Instagram. Glass follows Page on FB, and Page links to Glass’s campaign donation form on Insta.

• Shelley Anderson (now Shelley Glass) and Stephen Glass wedding newspaper picture. They met at Orange High as coworkers and married at the Orange High Dome.

• Dr. Glass’s Instagram also includes a poster for the September meeting of the Orange Indivisible chapter. 

• Supports 100 Black Men of America Inc - an organization that provides mentorship to Black youth and advocates for getting out the vote in the Black community.

• His LinkedIn mentions the following organizations: Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA), California Association of Professors of Educational Administration (CAPEA). Presenter for Black Professionals Group of Bank of America.

• Supporter of March for Babies, a group that advocates for lowering USA’s outlandishly high maternal and infant death rate, where Black women have four times the maternal death rate of white women. FACT CHECK: true, Black women in the States have an incredibly high maternal mortality rate when compared to any other category, including higher risk of perinatal complications, and with the risk varying widely by state.

Social Media Links: 

• Official campaign FB

• Official campaign Insta

• Personal Twitter/X

• Personal LinkedIn

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• Christ Our Redeemer AME Church (African Methodist Episcopal Church in OC),

• Voice of OC (nonprofit news org, anti-ICE, anti-Asian hate, pro-police accountability)

• Democratic Party of OC

• History Defined (historical photos blog - “Learn Weird Things About History”)

• Sara Pelly - Orange Unified School Board Trustee (Pelly is running for OUSD. Pelly is identified as non-partisan, but is likely left-leaning, and is endorsed by Planned Parenthood and Women for American Values and Ethics and Women in Leadership. In 2024 she received endorsements from OC Democrats and OC Young Democrats. Pelly’s Instagram has a link for Dr. Glass’s campaign donation page.)

Candidate’s Public Comments:

• Glass has not yet completed BallotPedia’s candidate survey

• During his 2024 campaign, the OC Register asked Stephen about his views on AB 1955, and the role of parents. 

  • OC Register: “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”

  • Stephen: “Parents are key to a child’s education, and their involvement should be respected. Schools also have a responsibility to ensure every student feels safe and valued. A balanced approach that fosters collaboration between parents and schools can protect student well-being while honoring parental roles. This ensures that all students thrive in an environment that respects their humanity and individual needs.”

• Glass responded to the 2026 OC Register’s candidate questionnaire:

  • Question: What are the top two needs of your school district, and how are you prepared to address them?

  • Answer: “Orange Unified’s two greatest needs are improving outcomes for every student and maintaining the fiscal stability necessary to sustain that work.

First, we must remain relentlessly focused on student achievement. Every student deserves access to rigorous instruction, strong academic programs, safe and supportive schools, career training opportunities, and the resources necessary to thrive. That also means paying close attention to students who are not yet experiencing the outcomes we expect and using data to identify gaps, direct resources where they can have the greatest impact, and hold ourselves accountable for improvement.

Second, we must protect the district’s long-term financial health. Declining enrollment, increasing costs, and competing priorities require disciplined decision-making. As a trustee, I believe every budget decision should begin with a simple question: How does this improve opportunities and outcomes for students?

My experience as an educator, administrator, university professor, and current board president has taught me that lasting improvement requires more than good ideas. It requires stable leadership, collaboration with employees and families, responsible stewardship of public resources, and the willingness to make difficult decisions while keeping students at the center.”

• Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely?

• Answer: “The school board’s fundamental responsibility is governance: setting the district’s direction, establishing policy, adopting a responsible budget, holding the superintendent accountable, and ensuring that our schools deliver a high-quality education for every student.

That does not mean the board is removed from curriculum. California law gives local boards important responsibilities for curriculum and instructional materials. But there is a critical difference between responsible oversight and micromanaging classroom instruction. Board decisions should be informed by state standards, research and evidence, student achievement data, and, critically, the professional expertise of teachers and administrators.

I believe effective governance requires asking difficult questions: Are students learning? Where are the gaps? Are our programs working? Are our resources aligned with our priorities? And what does the evidence tell us we should do differently?

Trustees must also listen to parents, students, employees, and the broader community. We should make decisions based on evidence and the educational needs of students—not ideology or political pressure.

Ultimately, the board sets direction, establishes expectations, monitors results, and holds the system accountable for delivering on its promises to students.

• Question: How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited?

• Answer: Schools should teach students about artificial intelligence in age-appropriate ways, including its benefits, limitations, and responsible use.

Elementary students should learn about AI without using it directly. Their focus should be on building foundational reading, writing, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Secondary students can use AI to explore ideas, receive feedback, and support learning. They must also learn to evaluate its responses, recognize bias, and identify inaccuracies. AI should never substitute for students’ own thinking, writing, or demonstration of understanding.

For teachers, AI can help differentiate instruction, improve accessibility, and reduce routine workloads. It should support their professional judgment and relationships with students.

Any use must include clear expectations for transparency, academic integrity, and protection of student privacy and data.

The guiding question should always be: Does this technology deepen learning, or does it allow students to circumvent learning?”

• Question: How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue?

• Answer: “Schools should teach students to discuss difficult issues with intellectual honesty, respect, and the ability to evaluate evidence. Civil discourse is not simply politeness. It requires listening carefully, questioning assumptions, distinguishing facts from opinions, and challenging claims without demeaning people.

It also does not mean treating every claim as equally credible or using “civility” to silence students who raise legitimate concerns about injustice. Respect for differing perspectives must coexist with a clear commitment to accuracy, student dignity, and freedom from harassment and discrimination.

In Orange Unified, I would support structured, developmentally appropriate discussions, debates, and collaborative problem-solving across subjects. Students should practice assessing sources, supporting arguments with evidence, considering competing perspectives, and revising their thinking when the evidence warrants it.

Teachers need professional learning, resources, and administrative support to guide these conversations and ensure every student can participate.

Adults must model these expectations, including at school board meetings. Our responsibility is to prepare students to think independently and participate responsibly in a diverse democracy, not tell them what to think, shield them from uncomfortable facts, or require agreement.”

• Question: Some school districts around California are recruiting teachers by building subsidized housing. How would you suggest your district could better attract — and retain — educators? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

• Answer: “Attracting great educators is important. Keeping them is just as important.

Housing assistance may be one tool, particularly given Southern California’s high cost of living, but there is no single solution to educator recruitment and retention. Research consistently tells us that compensation, working conditions, strong school leadership, professional support, and opportunities for growth matter.

OUSD must remain competitive in compensation to surrounding districts, while creating schools where talented people want to build careers. That means providing meaningful mentoring for new educators, high-quality professional learning opportunities for teacher leadership and advancement, and working conditions that allow educators to concentrate on teaching and students.

We should also strengthen partnerships with universities and educator-preparation programs to develop a pipeline of well-prepared teachers, particularly in hard-to-staff areas.

Most importantly, we must listen to our employees. As someone who spent more than 27 years working in PK–12 education, I know that educators want their expertise respected and their voices included in decisions that affect their work.

Recruitment gets people through the door. Strong leadership, professional respect, opportunities for growth, competitive compensation, and a healthy organizational culture are what make excellent educators stay.”

• Question: What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? 

• Answer: “I bring more than three decades of experience in public education, as a teacher, principal, district administrator, university faculty, and now school board trustee and board president.

Those experiences have allowed me to see public education from multiple perspectives: the classroom, the school site, district leadership, educator preparation, and governance. They have also taught me that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about listening carefully, asking the right questions, bringing people together, examining evidence, and having the courage to make difficult decisions, when necessary.

My priorities remain clear: improving student achievement, closing opportunity gaps, maintaining fiscal stability, supporting and retaining excellent employees, and ensuring that every student learns in a safe, welcoming, high-quality school.

I also believe stability matters. School districts make their greatest progress when boards, employees, families, and communities can work toward a shared direction rather than continually starting over.

I am seeking reelection because there is more work to do. I bring both educational expertise and governing experience to that work and a commitment to keeping students, rather than politics, at the center of our decisions.

• Question: If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? 

• Answer: “The scarab. In ancient Egyptian tradition, the scarab symbolizes renewal, transformation, and becoming. I think that is a powerful metaphor for education. Every student is in the process of becoming: discovering their strengths, developing their identity, and imagining possibilities they may not yet see for themselves. Our responsibility as educators, families, and community members is to create the conditions that allow that growth to occur. Education is transformative. At its best, it helps young people discover not simply what they know, but who they can become.”

• Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.

• Answer: “I would choose ‘Cultivating Genius’ by Gholdy Muhammad because one of my dissertation students is using Muhammad’s work as the conceptual framework for her study. As her dissertation chair, I am committed to engaging deeply with the scholarship that informs her research so I can thoughtfully support her work. Muhammad’s framework challenges educators to consider how schools cultivate students’ identity, skills, intellect, and criticality alongside academic proficiency. Reading it through my commitment to my students also offers an opportunity to reflect, as a school board member, on what we want education to cultivate in young people.”

Endorsed by: 

• Orange County, Calif., Democratic Party

• Women for American Values and Ethics (BallotPedia)

• Western States Carpenter’s Union (on Glass’s FB)

• Supporters of Public Education (Orange County organization supporting public education and candidates committed to strong public schools.)

Candidate in the News:

• OC Register: Stephen Glass, Orange Unified School District Area 7 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire

Public Voting Record:

• None Found

Follow the Money: 

• $10,000 from Orange Unified Education Association Education Action Committee

• $300 from Harper Conflict Resolution LLC(Jason Harper)