Mission Viejo

Capistrano Unified School District Area 4 Candidate

Candidate Statement:

“MELISSA CALDWELL | AGE: 46 | Parent/Businesswoman

Students and families in the Capistrano Unified School District deserve trustees with a proven record of service, meaningful advocacy, and professional experience managing complex systems and budgets. With over 15 years serving as a PTA volunteer and leader, 6 years of community service supporting our nation’s military and their families with care packages, holiday toy drives, newborn essentials and family events, and 25 years as a Chief Operating Officer for a successful law firm, I bring the experience and commitment our community deserves.

As a longtime Laguna Niguel resident, school volunteer, and leader of large volunteer organizations, I’ve spent years working alongside parents, educators and local partners to support students across CUSD. I’ve seen firsthand how strong community collaboration strengthens our schools and I’m prepared to bring that same spirit of partnership to our school board.

My background as a Chief Operating Officer combined with real world experience as a PTA leader has prepared me to deliver results. I will apply my operational expertise to ensure responsible fiscal policies that prioritize classrooms and protect taxpayer investments. I will ask tough, informed questions to ensure our schools are safe, secure, and operating effectively for every student. I will support our educators and administrators as they work to create learning environments that meet students where they are, providing the targeted resources each child needs to succeed.

Clear communication and strong community relationships are essential to keeping our schools exceptional. I’m ready to put my professional experience and dedication to work for students,

families, and the future of the Capistrano Unified School District. I would be honored to serve as your next Area 4 CUSD Trustee.

www.melissaforcusd.com”

Email: melissaforcusd@gmail.com 

Campaign Website: https://melissaforcusd.com/ 

Melissa’s campaign page is emblazoned with the phrase, “She listens. She shows up. She gets it done.”

Priorities:

• Ensuring Every Student Has the Opportunity to Succeed — Work with teachers and staff to direct resources where students need them most and support students’ differing learning needs.

• School Safety — Strengthen CUSD safety policies, including expanding e-bike safety initiatives she helped implement at Niguel Hills Middle School.

• Improved Transparency — Improve communication with parents and educators about how and why district decisions are made and provide opportunities for input before decisions are made.

• Fiscal Responsibility — Manage district resources efficiently, improve schools, and avoid increasing district debt.

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Melissa is the chair of Laguna Niguel’s Military Support Committee. During this tenure, she has worked on programs including military care packages, newborn essentials, family events, and holiday toy drives. Source

• Per her campaign website, Caldwell has served in PTA for more than 12 years, including multiple terms as president. She says she helped organize e-bike safety standards in collaboration with CUSD, the Laguna Niguel Sheriff’s Office, and PTSA. 

• Professional Background: Caldwell’s campaign states that she currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of a law firm.  

Social Media Links: 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Campaign Facebook

• Campaign Instagram

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

A number of the individuals Melissa follows are progressive activists living in the Capo USD region, who are not necessarily public figures but are known to Pride at the Pier. 

• WAVE

• Our Schools USA (a long-time partner org of Pride at the Pier)

• The Truth OC

• Capo Parents for Public Education 

• Krista Castenallos (incumbent Capo USD trustee with a voting record of LGBQT+ allyship - she was the also the leading voice seeking accountability when trustee Judy Bullockus used the ‘N’ word on the dais in 2025). 

• California Teachers Association

Candidate’s Public Comments:

Caldwell responded to the OC Candidate Questionnaire, published October 5, 2026. The questions and answers are as follows; 

• Question: 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.)

“No. 1: Remove politics from the classroom and the CUSD boardroom.

No. 2: Ensure all students have equal opportunities to learn in the most successful environments for their needs.

No. 3: Address the constant challenges posed by declining student enrollment and the ADA revenue funds regarding CUSD. (Declining enrollment of students, and its impact on our local public schools and their success as a whole.)”

• Question: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

“I believe the most important role of a school board member is to encourage, empower, and support all teachers, staff, and students while preserving local governance and maintaining a fiscally sound budget.Effective school board members must listen to educational experts regarding curriculum and oversight policy, while recognizing and supporting the superintendent’s leadership of our district.”

• 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

“While AI offers powerful possibilities for education, its optimal place in the classroom is as a tool for enrichment rather than initial learning. Students should first master core concepts and build a solid foundation of understanding independently before integrating AI into their study habits. It should be used as a tool to enhance learning but not as a crutch to get around learning the material.”

• 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

“My commitment to our community extends beyond the classroom. I served as Girl Scout troop leader (Troop 3710), led school carnivals, raised money for schools via jog-a-thons, organized major toy and baby drives for military families, and was honored to serve as the first female Chair for the City of Laguna Niguel’s Military Support Committee.”

• 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.)

“Professionally, I have spent the past 25 years in the legal field championing union employees and working members, ensuring they have a strong voice in their workplace. I wholeheartedly support our teachers and the union representation that supports their rights.

Throughout my career and volunteer work, I have always believed in standing up for the underdog and fighting for those who need an advocate — especially when it comes to education.”

• 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

“Even as my daughter heads off to college, my dedication to CUSD students remains stronger than ever.

As a long-time advocate who has traveled to Sacramento Safari with the 4th District PTA, I will continue to fight for increased funding through the CUSD “Raise the Base” campaign, advocate for IDEA, and protect the investment in public schools. I am committed to ensuring that every student receives an individualized, high-quality education that allows every student to reach their full potential.”

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

“No. 2 pencil.”

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

“1984,” George Orwell, 75th anniversary edition.

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”

A startling and haunting novel — captures the creativity and imaginative world that completely convinces you from start to finish.

“A power that seems to grow, not lessen, with the passage of time.” source

Endorsed by: 

• Kathy Tam
  UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Engagement and Marketing; CUSD Parent — provides a supporting testimonial on Caldwell’s campaign website.

• WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics)
  Melissa Caldwell is recommended for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 4 in the 2026 General Election by WAVE. WAVE describes itself as a nonpartisan PAC supporting candidates aligned with progressive values, including protection of public education, reproductive rights, vulnerable populations, climate science, and responsible gun legislation.

Candidate in the News:

• (OC Register) Melissa Caldwell, Capistrano Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026

Public Voting Record: None Found

Follow the Money: 

• HOPE-CUEA PAC (Help Organize for Public Education PAC) — $ 6,500
  Caldwell received a contribution from HOPE-CUEA PAC, the political action committee associated with the Capistrano Unified Education Association (CUEA), representing CUSD teachers. (FPPC Form 497, Aug. 26 and Sept. 14, 2026.)

Capistrano Unified School District, Area 4 (Candidate)

Candidate Statement:

“MARCO CARRALERO | Parent/Orange County Businessowner

I’m not a politician, and I’ve never run for elected office. I’m the parent of daughters who will enter Capistrano Unified School District schools when they reach school age. I own a family business, where I lead, manage budgets, and deliver results. My professional experience includes advising government agencies on financial management. As a Laguna Niguel parent, I have a personal stake in improving Capistrano Unified School District schools.

The Capistrano Unified School District is in crisis:

• Student enrollment fell every year for the past eight years

• Lowest student enrollment in nearly a quarter-century

• Serious structural budget deficit

I’ll fight to reverse this trend and bring families back to Capistrano Unified School District schools.

As Laguna Niguel’s representative on the Capistrano Unified School District Board, I’ll:

• Fight for a high-quality education for every student

• Keep political agendas out of the classroom

• Respect parents’ rights

• Promote parental involvement

• Provide safe, secure, and healthy schools for our students

• Demand fiscal accountability and ensure money goes directly to classrooms, not wasteful bureaucracy

• Increase transparency to ensure a strong educational partnership between parents, teachers, and the Capistrano Unified School District Board

I’m honored to be endorsed by:

• Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger, and Jennifer Adnams

• Orange County Board of Education Trustees Lisa Sparks and Tim Shaw

• Laguna Niguel Mayor Linda Lindholm (ret.)

I respectfully request your vote. www.marcoforcusd.com”

Email: 

Campaign Website: www.marcoforcusd.com/

Priorities: 

• Academic Excellence

  • Center every classroom on reading, writing, math, and critical thinking — the foundational skills students need to thrive in a changing world.

• Safe & Healthy Schools

  • Ensure every student can learn, and every teacher can work, on a campus with quality school lunches, clean drinking water, modern classrooms, and annual safety and environmental checks at every school, so families and staff can feel confident they're in a healthy space. That includes protecting girls' sports for girls only, so female athletes can compete safely and have an equal shot at roster spots, titles, and scholarships.

• Strong Parental Invovlement & Transparency (typo copied from campaign website)

  • Support full parental involvement in the academic and personal formation of children that takes place at school, in close partnership with teachers and administrators.

  • Carralero emphasizes parental involvement and transparency but does not specify whether he supports parental-notification policies involving a student’s gender identity. CUSD Trustee Lisa Davis, who endorses Carralero, proposed a parental-notification policy in 2023. Davis discussed gender-identity concerns in advocating for the proposal, which the CUSD Board rejected 5–2, with Davis and Trustee Judy Bullockus voting in favor. (CUSD Board, Oct. 18, 2023; Voice of OC, Oct. 20, 2023.)

• Classroom-First Budgeting

  • Invest resources in classrooms, support the teachers and programs that drive student success, and drive budget transparency for families while working to reverse enrollment declines.

• Digitally Detoxed Classrooms

  • Advocate for less screen and device time in the classroom through clear, consistent device policies — helping students focus, learn and retain more, protect their mental health, and connect better with peers and teachers.

• Trustee Accessibility

  • Be the most visible, responsive Trustee Area 4 has had: hold regular office hours, communicate quickly, and be a board member parents and staff can reach face-to-face and digitally.

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Endorsement Connections: Marco openly states that he is endorsed by current trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger, and Jennifer Adnams. It is important to note that these three candidates are openly anti-LGBTQ. Adams and Zollinger campaigned in 2024 with a special focus on fearmongering about trans kids in sports (of which there aren’t any to our knowledge in Capo USD), and Lisa Davis was behind the efforts to establish forced outing policies in Capo USD. All three are affiliated with the Heritage Foundation. source

• Firearm Lawsuit: It is Carralero’s stated desire to carry a concealed firearm at playgrounds and adjoining sidewalks, together with his participation in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate concealed-carry restrictions in playgrounds, youth centers, parks, athletic facilities, libraries, and other places regularly used by children and families.

• Marco Carralero is the first-named plaintiff in Carralero v. Bonta (C.D. Cal. No. 8:23-cv-01798), which was consolidated with May v. Bonta as In re Senate Bill 2 Litigation. The ongoing federal litigation challenges numerous provisions of California’s SB 2 restricting licensed concealed carry in designated “sensitive places,” including playgrounds and private youth centers, public parks and athletic facilities, state parks, libraries, stadiums, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and private businesses open to the public. (First Amended Complaint⁠, ¶¶ 3–7, internal pp. 1–3.)

• In his sworn declaration, Carralero stated, “I carry, and intend to continue carrying, my personal firearm daily, during all my activities.” He specifically identified Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and San Clemente State Beach among the parks he frequented and where he intended to carry for self-defense. (Carralero Declaration⁠, ¶¶ 8 and 15, PDF pp. 4 and 6.)

• In the subsequently filed First Amended Complaint, Carralero states that he also wants to carry at playgrounds and on streets and sidewalks adjacent to playgrounds. The complaint notes that he has a young child and regularly visits parks containing playgrounds and their adjoining parking lots. (First Amended Complaint⁠, ¶ 13, internal p. 4; PDF p. 5.)

• California’s Gun-Free School Zone Act generally prohibits knowing firearm possession on K–12 school grounds and within 1,000 feet of those grounds. However, the law exempts holders of valid California concealed-carry licenses from the surrounding 1,000-foot restriction when they remain outside school buildings, school-controlled property and parking areas, and immediately adjacent streets and sidewalks. The complaint alleges that Carralero held an active Orange County CCW license when it was filed, but it does not allege that he wants to carry on CUSD school grounds. (California Penal Code § 626.9(b), (c)(5) and (e)(4)⁠; First Amended Complaint⁠, ¶¶ 6 and 9.)

• Family and Educational Background:

  • Carralero’s campaign describes him as the father of “two future CUSD students,” rather than identifying him as a current CUSD parent. That wording does not establish when or whether his children will enroll. 

  • His wife, Caroline Beckman Carralero, has publicly discussed being homeschooled by her mother, leaving college, and participating in the Thiel Fellowship. The Fellowship describes its recipients as young people who “skip or stop out of college” to pursue entrepreneurial projects. (NutraIngredients⁠; Thiel Fellowship⁠)

• College education: 

  • Carralero holds B.A. degrees in History and Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. The Claremont Institute independently confirms both degrees. 

  • In 2015, he received a U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship to study Urdu in Lucknow, India. The Critical Language Scholarship Program independently lists Carralero as a 2015 Urdu scholar in Lucknow.

  • His campaign also states that he studied at the University of Geneva.

• Business background:

  • According to his campaign website, Carralero and his wife operate Nouri, a San Clemente health-and-wellness company.

  • His campaign also states that he previously worked in business operations at Tesla and in public-sector management consulting at Accenture.

• Policy education:

  • Carralero attended the Hoover Institution Summer Policy Boot Camp in 2018, was a Claremont Institute Publius Fellow in 2019, and a Common Sense Society Founders’ Foreign Policy Fellow in 2022. 

  • The Hover Institute is known for being a conservative, free-market, limited government policy think tank and defines itself as such on its website.. 

  • The Claremont Institute describes its mission as restoring the principles of the American Founding and explicitly says its fellowships educate “the next generation of conservative leaders”; its Publius Fellowship brings together young conservatives to study American political thought and constitutional government.  

  • The Common Sense Society describes its programs as promoting “liberty, prosperity, and beauty,” with Carralero’s fellowship examining U.S. foreign policy through the political principles of the American Founders.

Social Media Links: 

• Campaign Instagram

• Campaign Facebook

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• Sonja Shaw
  President, Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education; 2026 Candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction 

• Judy Bullockus
  Vice President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 7) 

• Lisa Zollinger
  Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 2)

• Jennifer Adnams
  Clerk of the Board, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 1)

• Mike Munzing
  Mayor Pro Tem, Aliso Viejo 

• Kelly Felton
  Educator/Professor/Parent; 2026 Candidate, Tustin Unified School District Trustee Area 3

• Justin Aguirre
  2026 Candidate, Placenta Yorba Linda United School District. He’s very active in the anti-trans extremist circles and has been a regular sight at anti-trans rallies across Southern California.

• Wayne Lindholm
  Chairman, Lincoln Club of Orange County; Member, Orange County Employees Retirement System Board of Retirement.His wife, Linda Lindholm, a former Laguna Niguel mayor and Orange County Board of Education trustee, endorses Carralero. 

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

Candidate’s Public Comments:

OC Register: Marco Carralero, Capistrano Unified School District Area 4 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: A school board’s role is to set the district’s direction, represent the community, and hold the superintendent accountable for student achievement, responsible spending, and safe schools.

That includes adopting policy, approving the budget, establishing measurable goals, and exercising keen oversight of curriculum and instructional materials. Trustees should understand what students are learning, ask whether materials are academically sound and age-appropriate, and provide meaningful opportunities for parents and teachers to participate in the review process.

The superintendent manages district operations, and teachers bring professional expertise to daily instruction. Board oversight should establish clear expectations and give educators the support to meet them.

I believe parents are the primary arbiters of their child’s formation and are therefore essential partners in their children’s education. They deserve accessible information about curriculum, school performance, and their children’s progress. The board should listen respectfully, explain its decisions, and follow through on commitments.

My guiding principle would be: every policy and expenditure should serve students’ education, safety, and readiness for life as a capable, healthy, happy citizen. Public schools should welcome families with different viewpoints and keep politics out of instruction.

Q: 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: Civil discourse is a skill students need to practice: listening carefully, asking honest questions, checking facts, explaining a position, and disagreeing respectfully.

I would encourage CUSD to build these habits into existing history, civics, and English instruction through structured discussions, debates, primary-source analysis, and mock public hearings. Students could examine age-appropriate community issues, research different proposals, and present recommendations supported by evidence.

Teachers should establish clear expectations against personal attacks and give students opportunities to understand competing arguments. Students should be evaluated on preparation, reasoning, evidence, and respectful participation. Agreement with a teacher’s political views should never be a condition of academic success.

My education in history and government reinforces my belief that students need both substantive civic knowledge and the ability to discuss difficult questions thoughtfully.

Adults must model that conduct. As a trustee, I will listen to criticism, explain my reasoning, and treat parents, educators, students, and fellow board members respectfully. We cannot credibly ask students to practice civility if their leaders fail to demonstrate it.

Endorsed by: 

• 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.

• Sonja Shaw (IG: @sonjashaw2026) 

  • Shaw has championed parental notification policies requiring schools to inform parents when students express a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. She has also supported restrictions on transgender students’ participation in girls’ sports and policies allowing the removal of certain school library books. Shaw has publicly credited Moms for Liberty with inspiring her political involvement. The organization lists her among its pledged elected officials, and its California chapters have endorsed her 2026 statewide campaign.

• 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. 

• Lisa Davis
  Board President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 3)

• Jennifer Adnams
  Clerk of the Board, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 1)

• Lisa Zollinger
  Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 2)

• Lisa Sparks
  Trustee, Orange County Board of Education (District 5)

• Linda Lindholm
  Former Trustee and President, Orange County Board of Education (District 5); Former Mayor, Laguna Niguel, wife of Wayne Lindholm

• Laurie Davies
  California State Assemblymember (District 74)

• Mike Munzing
  Mayor Pro Tem, Aliso Viejo, attempted to ban the Pride Flag in Aliso Viejo

See full list of endorsements on campaign website

Candidate in the News:

• The Truth OC: “Marco Carralero for School Board? Is this a joke?” July 16, 2026

  • This is an explicitly opinionated Substack commentary by Jeff Pearlman. It discusses Carralero’s firearm lawsuit, Claremont Institute fellowship, family educational background and perceived lack of prior CUSD involvement.

• CUSD Insider: “CUSD welcomes community members to serve as Principal For a Day,” October 26, 2023

  • Carralero participated in CUSD’s Principal for a Day program at Las Palmas Elementary, where he was identified with Nouri, his health-and-wellness business. The program brings community leaders onto CUSD campuses to tour schools and meet students, teachers and staff.
    
    

Public Voting Record:

• Candidate has no previous record of holding public office

Follow the Money: via the link

• Thomas Bengard / Bengard Family Trust — $1,000
  Carralero received $1,000 from the Bengard Family Trust/Thomas Bengard. Bengard has contributed to Family Action PAC (Transparency USA), which has supported conservative candidates in Orange County school-board and other local races (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 6, 2000).Bengard is President/Director of It Takes a Family Foundation (IRS Form 990-PF; ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer). His wife, Kim Bengard, is identified as the foundation’s Secretary/Director and as its co-founder in the Council for National Policy directory. (Council for National Policy Membership Directory, September 2020, p. 24.) The Bengard family’s It Takes a Family foundation has also provided substantial funding to Advocates for Faith & Freedom, which has been involved in California litigation over transgender-student policies.

• Tafa Jefferson — $1,500
  Carralero received $1,500 from Jefferson, who publicly questioned a CUSD trustee over his vote against the district’s proposed 2023 parental-notification policy involving student gender identity. (Ladera Ranch Civic Council meeting, Nov. 21, 2023; California Courier, Aug. 6, 2024.)

• Wayne Lindholm — $1,000
  Carralero received $1,000 from Lindholm, a former president of the conservative Lincoln Club of Orange County, identified by Voice of OC as president of the conservative Lincoln Club of Orange County. (Voice of OC, Jan. 11, 2016.), which describes itself as California’s oldest and largest conservative major-donor organization.

• Heidi Nogy — $1,000
  Carralero received $1,000 from Nogy. A contributor with the same name also appears in campaign-finance records for CUSD Trustee Jennifer Adnams’s 2024 campaign. (Adnams for Trustee Campaign 2024 - Receipts)

• Eron Eklund — $1,000
  Carralero received $1,000 from Eklund, identified in the filing as CEO of Aerosoft Systems. Eklund also appears in campaign-finance records as a contributor to Jennifer Adnams’s 2024 CUSD campaign. (Adnams for Trustee Campaign 2024 - Receipts)

• Scott Hadley — $1,000
  Carralero received $1,000 from Hadley. A contributor with the same name also appears in campaign-finance records for Jennifer Adnams’s 2024 CUSD campaign. (Adnams for Trustee Campaign 2024 - Receipts)

• Greg Stapley — $5,000
  Former founding Chairman and CEO of San Clemente-based CareTrust REIT. Stapley left the company’s leadership in 2022 to undertake a full-time international volunteer/missionary assignment in Mexico for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Reference). His $5,000 contribution is the largest contribution identified (so far) in Carralero’s late-contribution filings reviewed.

Capistrano Unified School District, Area 6 (Candidate)

Candidate Statement:

“MANDY BOURNE | Community Volunteer

After practicing law, I’ve focused on our family and serving our schools. I’ve taught reading in elementary classrooms, helped families with college planning and applications, served on district curriculum and accreditation committees, and directed elementary school field days and senior nights for high school sports. I currently teach high-school study and life skills classes, previously teaching writing and music. For twenty years, I’ve loved serving in Capistrano Unified. My husband and I raised six children in CUSD, all of whom enjoyed its exceptional Spanish-immersion program. We’re still experiencing the district alongside our youngest. From

APs to navigating IEPs, we’ve successfully managed many concerns parents have with their CUSD kids. As a longtime volunteer and current Capistrano Unified parent, I remain deeply invested in every student’s success.

I am running to prioritize:

• Academic excellence

• Strong partnerships with families

• Safe schools

• Attracting and supporting outstanding teachers.

Classrooms should prepare students for success in college, careers, and life. Keep the focus on learning, not on issues that divide us as neighbors. I am honored to have earned the support of teachers, trustees, and community leaders. As Trustee, I will bring experience, common sense, civility, and collaboration to every decision, always putting students first.

mandy4capo.com”

Email: “Contact Us” on candidate website

Campaign Website: https://mandy4capo.com

Priorities: 

• Focus the district on “strong academics” and avoid “ideological issues that divide us as neighbors.”

• Encourage partnerships with the private sector to expand extracurricular opportunities and enhance school facilities.

• Support parental involvement in education.

• Promote responsible stewardship of district resources.

Any Other Interesting Info:

According to her LinkedIn profile:  

• Bourne earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University before earning her Juris Doctor from BYU Law School. 

• While at Brigham Young University Law School, she co-authored the Utah Juvenile Court Handbook with Professor Lynn Wardle.`

  • Wardle, Lynn D., and Amanda Bourne. Utah Juvenile Court Handbook. Utah Administrative Office of the Courts, 14 June 1996.

  • Wardle is a family law scholar who testified in 1996 before Congress in support of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). 

    • Defense of Marriage Act: Hearing on S. 1740 Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 104th Congress (1996), testimony of Professor Lynn D. Wardle, pp. 23–41.,

    • and also testified in 2005 (LINK)

    • *For any of our younger readers, DOMA was federal law banning gay marriage.

  • Wardle authored numerous publications opposing legal recognition of same-sex marriage. No evidence was identified that Bourne participated in Wardle’s advocacy regarding same-sex marriage or shared these positions on this issues.

    • Lynn D. Wardle, “Multiply and Replenish”: Considering Same-Sex Marriage in Light of State Interests in Marital Procreation, 24 Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy 771 (2001).

    • Lynn D. Wardle, The Potential Impact of Homosexual Parenting on Children, 1997 University of Illinois Law Review 833 (1997).
      University of Illinois Law Review archive,

    • Lynn D. Wardle, A Critical Analysis of Constitutional Claims for Same-Sex Marriage, 1996 BYU Law Review 1 (1996). 

    • Lynn D. Wardle, The Judicial Imposition of Same-Sex Marriage: The Boundaries of Judicial Legitimacy and Legitimate Redefinition of Marriage, 50 Washburn Law Journal 79 (2010).

    • Lynn D. Wardle, Equality Principles as Asserted Justifications for Mandating the Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in American and Intercountry-Comparative Constitutional Law, 27 BYU Journal of Public Law 489 (2013).

• Following law school, Bourne clerked for Judge Monroe G. McKay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit before practicing law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles from 1996 to 2000.

  • McKay graduated from Brigham Young University and later served as a professor at BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School before being appointed to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter.

  • Bourne practiced law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP from 1996 to 2000. Although unrelated to Bourne’s tenure at the firm, Gibson Dunn has represented clients across the political spectrum, including representing the plaintiffs in the successful challenge to California’s Proposition 8 (Hollingsworth v. Perry, 2013) and representing Citizens United in the landmark campaign finance case Citizens United v. FEC (2010). (LINK)

• CUSD Background: Bourne states that she has been a CUSD parent and community volunteer for approximately 20 years and that all six of her children attended CUSD schools. Her involvement has included school and classroom volunteering, experience with the IEP process, PTSA scholarship review, assisting students with college applications, and participation in curriculum and accreditation activities.

Social Media Links: 

• Candidate Instagram

• Campaign Facebook

• Linkedin

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: (As of 9/1/2026)

Instagram

• Lisa Davis (isadaviscusd)

  • Note: Davis is openly anti-LGBTQ, was behind the attempt to establish forced outing policies in Capo USD, and is affiliated with Heritage Foundation. source

• Amanda Earnest (amandaearnest)

  • Note: Earnest was a $1,000 campaign contributor to Lisa Davis per CA Form 460. ( LINK - see Follow the Money section)

  • Note Earnest was a $1,000 campaign contributor to Kira Davis per CA Form 460 (LINK - see Follow the Money section)

  • Note: Kira Davis, a former Capistrano Unified school board candidate and editor-at-large for (Far Right) RedState, authored a 2022 opinion article criticizing a San Juan Hills High School teacher over classroom LGBTQ+ reading materials.(LINK). 

Candidate’s Public Comments:

OC Register: Mandy Bourne, Capistrano Unified School District Area 6 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: A school board’s role is governance, not day-to-day management. The board should set a clear direction for the district, establish sound policies, approve a responsible budget, hire and evaluate the superintendent, hold the district accountable for student results, and model civility.

The board also has an important role in curriculum. It should ensure the district provides strong, balanced instruction that meets state standards, reflects community expectations and prepares students for college, careers and life. But board members should not micromanage classrooms or tell teachers how to teach individual lessons. Educators need the support, training and resources to do their jobs well. A strong board provides direction, accountability and transparency while respecting the professional roles of the superintendent, administrators and educators.

Most importantly, the board should keep students at the center of every decision. That requires listening to parents, teachers, staff and students; asking thoughtful questions; reviewing reliable evidence and expert advice; and making decisions openly and responsibly. I chose not to use campaign money from special-interest PACs, unions or political parties so I could remain independent—without favors to repay and free to focus on what is best for students.

Q: 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: Nearly all of us agree our broader community needs more civility. Schools can offer something better than the anger, ridicule and personal attacks students too often see online and in public life. We can teach—and, most importantly, model—how to reject a “culture of contempt” and disagree with kindness, honesty and respect. That starts with leadership from the top down, and I have modeled that same approach throughout this campaign.

I have supported my high-school son and his club’s work with the Dignity Project, which teaches students to evaluate their interactions and move from contempt toward dignity—disagreeing civilly and with respect. Civil discourse does not mean avoiding difficult subjects or pretending differences do not matter. It means listening to understand, discussing ideas without attacking people, supporting claims with facts and recognizing the dignity of those who see an issue differently.

Our district should make these principles part of everyday school culture. Board members, administrators, teachers and staff should model civility, while students should have age-appropriate opportunities to discuss challenging questions, consider different viewpoints and resolve disagreements constructively.

There is real power in peacemaking. If we expect students to become thoughtful, respectful adults, we must show them what that looks like.

Endorsed by: 

• 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.

• 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)

• Lisa Davis

  • Board President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 3)

  • Davis is not listed on Bourne’s official campaign Supporters page, but the conservative Nancy’s Picks 2026 Orange County voter guide states that Bourne is endorsed by Davis.

• Sergio Farias

  • Councilmember and Former Mayor, San Juan Capistrano

• John Campbell

  • Mayor, San Juan Capistrano

• Howard Hart

  • Councilmember and Former Mayor, San Juan Capistrano

• John Taylor

  • Former Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, San Juan Capistrano

• Ray Gennawey

  • Councilmember and Former Mayor, Laguna Niguel; Former CUSD Student Trustee

• Chris McLaren

  • Retired CUSD Teacher

• Wyndi Garcia

  • 28-year Orange County Public School Teacher and Administrator

• Steve Roberts

  • Orange County Public School Teacher; Former Teacher of the Year

• Kelli Gaines

  • Public High School Teacher; Orange County Chemistry Teacher of the Year

• Alma Benitez

  • Mission Viejo ESL Teacher; CUSD Parent

See full list on campaign website

Candidate in the News:

• (Opinion) Jeff Pearlman, The Christian Right/LDS School Board Enigma – The Future of Capo Unified Hangs by a Terrifying Thread: Awkward Questions About Faith, Politics and Education Linger. The Truth OC, published July 16, 2026. LINK

Public Voting Record:

• Candidate has no previous record of holding public office

Follow the Money: via the link

• Prior to becoming a candidate, Bourne contributed $2,500 to Lisa Davis’ successful 2024 campaign for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3.( LINK - Schedule A – Monetary Contributions Received, Lisa Davis for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3, reporting period July 1, 2024 – September 21, 2024, filed October 3, 2024, p. 10.)

  • Note: Amanda Earnest who follows Mandy Bourne on Instagram contributed $1,000 to Lisa Davis’ successful 2024 campaign for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3.( LINK - Schedule A - Monetary Contributions received,  Lisa Davis for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 3, reporting period January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024, e-filed June 24, 2024, p. 12.)

  • Note: Amanda Earnest who follows Mandy Bourne on Instagram, contributed $1,000 to Kira Davis’s unsuccessful 2022 campaign for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 2 (LINK -  Schedule A - Monetary Contributions received,  Kira  Davis for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 2, reporting period July 1, 2022 – September 24, 2022, e-filed October 26, 2022, p. 7.)

Capistrano Unified School District, Area 6 (Candidate)

Candidate Statement:

“JEANNA EMMONS | Parent/Educator/Businessowner

As a mom with a K-8 student and a high schooler in Capistrano Unified, I'm committed to ensuring every student, at every level, has a clear path to reach their full potential. I'm running to bring transparent and student-centered leadership to our community. I've been showing up for our youth and our community, focused on building relationships, and listening to families.

My commitment extends to child advocacy. In my role as a former PTA President and as a parent leader, I’ve traveled to Sacramento to advocate directly to legislators about preserving critical mental health services, as well as increasing our public school funding. I'll bring my passionate leadership to district oversight.

As a 12-year small business owner, I have experience in managing resources wisely and balancing a budget. On the board, I'll respect taxpayer dollars by cutting unnecessary overhead and prioritizing the classroom experience.

I believe our district must prepare students for a rapidly changing global economy and job market. I'll advocate for modern coursework in emerging fields, including expanded Career

Technical Education (CTE) pathways with apprenticeship options, and more opportunities for students to earn college credits before graduation. This combination will provide our students

with academic advantages and professional skills, so they’re exceptionally competitive for college and high-demand careers.

Although my professional background is in science, I believe courses in music and other arts subjects are essential for student engagement. They help build discipline and enrich learning across all areas. I'm committed to protecting our arts and music programs, so our children receive a rich, well-rounded education.

Every child must feel safe to learn at school. Campus security requires foresight, clear protocols, and active listening. But true safety goes well beyond physical security: it also means protecting our students by strengthening anti-bullying initiatives and creating welcoming classrooms. I’ll champion safety plans that value both the overall well-being of students and their physical security.

An effective trustee doesn’t make decisions in a vacuum — they listen to the community. I'll push for clearer, proactive district communications so families are never left in the dark about

decisions that affect their children.

I’ll keep political agendas out of our classrooms and board meetings so we can focus on what truly matters: academic standards, safe schools, fiscal accountability, and well-rounded

opportunities for every child.

I would be honored to earn your vote. EmmonsForCUSD.com”

Campaign Website: https://emmonsforcusd.com/ 

Priorities:

• Invest in Career and Technical Pathways — Expand career and technical pathways and college-readiness courses to prepare students for future careers.

• Spend Tax Dollars Responsibly — Use transparent budgeting, prioritize classroom needs, and measure spending by student outcomes.

• Strengthen Campus Safety — Support safe, secure, and welcoming campuses for students, staff, and families.

• Listen to Students, Parents, and Community — Seek community input on key issues while emphasizing high academic standards and measurable student outcomes.

• Increase Transparency in District Communications — Provide clearer, proactive communication about educational options, available support, and how district decisions are made.

• Protect Arts and Music Education — Protect arts and music programs as part of a well-rounded education.  

Any Other Interesting Info:

• School Site Council/PTSA: 

  • Emmons served as School Site Council (SSC) Chairperson at Carl Hankey Middle School. The school’s 2023 School Plan for Student Achievement identifies her as SSC Chairperson and records her attestation of the plan on May 4, 2023. The plan’s membership section categorizes SSC participants by constituency, including parent/community representation.

  • Separately, nonprofit records for the Carl Hankey PTSA identify Jeanna Emmons as a board member; another database drawing from its Form 990 filings identifies her as president.  

• CUSD Board Participation:

  • Emmons addressed the CUSD Board of Trustees at its January 18, 2023 meeting (page 8) regarding the district’s proposed Mathematics Plan. The minutes list her among the public speakers immediatelyJeanna Emmons has been active in the Carl Hankey Middle School community.

  • The school’s 2023–24 School Plan for Student Achievement identifies her (page 64) as a parent or community member of the School Site Council and as the council’s chairperson. (⁠Carl Hankey TK-8 Academy)

• Educational Background:

  • Emmons earned a BS in Physics from the University of Southern California (USC). Her degree is documented in her professional biography with PSM RMP Solutions and in professional qualifications included in a City of Carson regulatory filing.  ⁠ 

• Professional Background:

  • Jeanna Emmons is an environmental and safety regulatory compliance consultant with PSM RMP Solutions (Emmons Environmental DBA PSM RMP Solutions), specializing in PSM, EPA RMP, and CalARP compliance. 

  • PSM RMP Solutions is a Mission Viejo environmental and safety consulting firm specializing in Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), and California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) requirements. Her company biography states that she has 25 years of consulting experience, working with industries including ammonia refrigeration, cold storage, water treatment, wineries, and chemical manufacturing.  ⁠

  • Emmons also holds national leadership responsibilities in the refrigeration industry. She currently serves as Chair of the 2026–27 Board of Directors of the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR), following service as Chair-Elect in 2025–26. She has also served on IIAR’s Compliance Guidelines Committee and Government Relations Committee and previously chaired the Compliance Guidelines Committee.  ⁠IIAR — 2026–27 Board of Directors

Social Media Links: 

• Personal Instagram

• Campaign Facebook

• Campaign Instagram

• Campaign TikTok

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• WAVE (Progressive Women’s Group)

• Senator Catherine Blakespear (Democrat) 

• Congressman Mike Levin (Democrat)

Candidate’s Public Comments:

OC Register: Jeanna Emmons, Capistrano Unified School District Area 6 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: I believe the role of the school board is to set an overall vision for the district and to place importance on student advocacy. The responsibility of the school board also includes policy, curriculum, and financial oversight, which are priorities; however, without a vision and advocacy, the district may fall short. Once a vision is determined, by taking input from key stakeholders (students, teachers, staff, community, etc.), all decisions are made with the vision as a backstop.

With CUSD’s vision, “an unwavering commitment to student success,” trustees should make unbiased decisions by putting students first. Equally important is the advocacy for our students by addressing the whole child, including physical health, mental health, and socio-economic challenges as an essential role of the school board. By supporting the whole student, higher academic achievement is inevitable. Additionally, the effects go beyond the classroom; the student is likely to have higher community ties and build tools to manage stress and life’s challenges.

Q: 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: Teaching students in civil discourse will inevitably lead to controversial topics. I believe it should be taught starting with age-appropriate, low-impact controversial topics in order to practice debate, to learn to determine fact from fiction, to think critically, to learn from all perspectives and to respect the opinions of their peers. The teacher would need to first establish a safe environment by encouraging empathy, setting clear guardrails and stressing respect for others.

Currently, within CUSD, this is already in play. For example, fourth graders are not only taught the building of the California missions from the Spanish perspective but also from the perspective of the Native American. By teaching students how to analyze uncomfortable truths in our history, students are better prepared for current civil discourse. I would like to see this strategically practiced at each grade level in pertinent subjects like literature and/or history.

Endorsed by: 

• WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics)

  • Jeanna Emmons is endorsed for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 6 in the 2026 General Election by WAVE. WAVE is a nonpartisan political action committee that states it supports candidates aligned with its progressive values, including protecting public education. 

• Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC)

  • Jeanna Emmons has received the endorsement of the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC) for CUSD Trustee Area 6.

• SOPE-OC (Supporters of Public Education)

  • SOPE-OC is a Democratic Club chartered with the Democratic Party of Orange County to support school boards, individual school board members, and school board candidates who prioritize students in their decision-making by following both Federal Law and the laws of the State of California.

Candidate in the News:

• None found as of 10/8/2026

Public Voting Record:

• Candidate has no previous record of holding public office

Follow the Money: 

• $14,000 from Help Organize for Public Education in the form of a postcard campaign

• $4,450 from Help Organize for Public Education in the form of a postcard campaign

• $2,276.67 from Help Organize for Public Education in the form of a postcard campaign

• $6,500 from Help Organize for Public Education

  • This organization, (EIN: 33-0565935) (EAIN: 870138) has been around since 2022 and is associated with a Pride at the Pier partner, Supporters of Public Education. Their top donors are Capistrano Unified Education Association, Capistrano Unified Education Assn., and California Teachers Assn - Assn for Better Citizen. source

• $1,000 from Women for American Values and Ethics FEC ID: C00635664 (WAVE)

• $100 from Katrina Foley (OC Supervisor, Democrat)

• $1,000 from Democratic Women of South OC

• $500 from the Aliso Viejo Democratic Club

• $500 from the Laguna Woods Democratic Club

Capistrano Unified School District, Area 7 (Candidate)

Candidate Statement:

“RON RUEF | Youth Sports Director

Every student deserves a high quality education, every parent deserves a voice, and every taxpayer deserves responsible stewardship of public funds.

As your Capistrano Unified School District Trustee, I will focus on putting students first, preparing them for the careers of tomorrow, maintaining safe and welcoming schools, practicing

transparent and fiscally responsible budgeting, supporting and retaining outstanding educators, and building strong partnerships with parents and our community.

My commitment to education and public service has been a constant throughout my life. While my sons attended Capistrano Unified schools, I volunteered with the PTA and was elected to

school site councils, where I reviewed school budgets and helped align financial resources with student achievement.

I helped lead the successful transformation of Carl Hankey School from a K-5 campus into Orange County's first K-8 International Baccalaureate World School and helped establish the CHIEF Foundation, which continues to support students today. I also had the privilege of serving as Chair of the Capistrano Unified Facilities and Finance Advisory Committee for five years, gaining valuable experience in district budgeting, long-range planning, and school

safety.

My community service includes serving as President of the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission, the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Commission, the California Association of Park and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members, and the Pacific Water Quality Association. Today, I continue serving youth and families as Area Director for AYSO Area 11L after 29 years as a volunteer referee and youth sports leader.

My wife, Janice, and I have been married for 43 years and raised our two sons in Capistrano Unified schools. Today, we are proud grandparents watching the next generation grow up

in our community. I earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach, proudly served in the U.S. Army, and retired after more than 34 years from Morton Salt. As a District Manager with Morton Salt, I led teams, managed budgets, and was responsible for financial accountability.

I would be honored to earn your vote and the opportunity to serve our students, families, educators, and community.”

Email: 

Campaign Website: https://ronforcusd.com/

Priorities:
According to Ruef’s campaign website:

• Transparency & Accountability — Open communication about district decisions, policies and use of taxpayer funds.

• Safe & Supportive Schools — Maintain secure campuses while supporting positive school environments.

• Fiscal Responsibility & Responsible Stewardship of Public Funds — Responsible budgeting, financial oversight and long-term sustainability.

• Meaningful Parent & Community Engagement — Strengthen communication and collaboration among schools, parents and the broader community.

• Supporting Teachers & Staff — Support recruitment, retention and support of teachers and district employees.  

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Education Background:

  • Ruef earned a BA from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). (Linked In Profile)

• Military Service:

  • Ruef is a U.S. Army veteran. His 2026 candidate statement and campaign biography both identify his Army service

• Professional Background:

  • Ruef spent more than 34 years with Morton Salt, holding positions including Account Executive, District Manager and Retail Account Executive before retiring in January 2017. His work included management responsibilities in the water-treatment industry; in his candidate statement, Ruef says that as a District Manager he led teams, managed budgets and was responsible for financial accountability. 

  • After retiring from Morton Salt, he was appointed Executive Director of the Pacific Water Quality Association (PWQA), a trade association representing the water-quality improvement industry. 

  • Ruef also held extensive leadership roles with PWQA before becoming Executive Director. He served as PWQA President (2001–02) and later as Vice President and chaired its Government Planning Committee. His industry recognition includes PWQA’s Hall of Fame Award, as well as the Carolyn J. Fahnestock and Marino Pomares awards. (Reference)  

  • PWQA: We Are the Eyes and Ears of Water Treatment” — WC&P, April 15, 2017
    Profile of Ruef following his retirement from Morton Salt and appointment as Executive Director of the Pacific Water Quality Association. It covers his 34-year Morton career, PWQA leadership and awards, and long involvement as a youth soccer referee and mentor. 

• Carl Hankey School:

  • Ruef’s campaign states that he worked with parents, staff, and district officials on the transition of Carl Hankey School from K–5 to K–8 and its subsequent designation as Orange County’s first public K–8 International Baccalaureate World School. He also says he helped establish the CHIEF Foundation, which supports the school.  

• Capistrano Valley High School Foundation:

  • Ruef was involved with the Capistrano Valley High School Foundation while his children attended CUSD. A 2011 Patch article identifies him as a CUSD parent and Foundation member involved in fundraising for school projects.   

• Mission Viejo Community Service:

  • Ruef served 13 years on the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission, including service as its president, according to his campaign. City records independently document his commission service and identify him as Chairman in 2016. CUSD later identified him as a former Mission Viejo Community Services Commissioner when he participated in its Principal for a Day program.  ⁠ ( ⁠CUSD Insider — Principal for a Day)

• Youth Sports:

  • Ruef currently serves as Area Director for AYSO Area 11L. His campaign states that he has volunteered with AYSO for 29 years, was the first referee in the area recognized for officiating more than 1,000 games, and has mentored other referees. Independent tournament records show Ruef continuing to officiate AYSO matches at the 2025 Mission Viejo Classic.

Social Media Links: 

• Personal Linkedin

• Campaign Facebook

• Campaign Instagram

• Campaign TikTok

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• Ron does not follow anyone on his campaign Facebook or Tiktok accounts. His campaign instagram only follows local Capo USD school accounts, which is fairly standard for school board candidates and not something we generally report on.

Candidate’s Public Comments:

OC Register: Ron Ruef, Capistrano Unified School District Area 7 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: The role of a school board is to provide leadership, oversight, and accountability while keeping students at the center of every decision. The board sets the district’s vision, establishes policy, approves the budget, and ensures that taxpayer resources are being used responsibly and effectively.

The board should not micromanage teachers or administrators, but it should ask the right questions, monitor results, and hold the superintendent accountable for carrying out board policy and achieving district goals.

Curriculum is an important part of that oversight. The board should ensure that students have access to a strong, standards-aligned curriculum that prepares them for college, careers, and life. However, day-to-day instructional decisions should remain with qualified educators and administrators.

Ultimately, I see the school board as the community’s voice and steward of the district, setting direction, providing accountability, listening to parents, teachers, staff, and students, and making sure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Q: 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: I believe schools have an important responsibility to teach students how to disagree respectfully, listen to different perspectives, and engage in thoughtful, fact-based discussions. Civil discourse is a skill that must be taught and practiced, not simply expected.

Students should have opportunities to discuss age-appropriate current events and important issues in classrooms where they can ask questions, respectfully challenge ideas, and learn to distinguish facts from opinions. Teachers should model how to disagree without being disrespectful while creating an environment where students feel comfortable expressing different viewpoints.

I would like to see the district provide educators with appropriate resources and professional development to facilitate constructive discussions, while ensuring classrooms remain focused on learning rather than political advocacy. Students should be encouraged to consider multiple perspectives and support their positions with credible evidence.

Ultimately, our schools should prepare students to participate in our democracy and become responsible members of their communities. We do not have to agree with one another to treat one another with respect. Teaching students to listen, think critically, disagree respectfully, and find common ground is an essential part of preparing them for life beyond the classroom.

Endorsed by:

• WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics)
  Ron Ruef is Recommended for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 7 in the 2026 General Election.

Candidate in the News:

“Capistrano Unified Principal for a Day program educates, impresses community members and business owners” — CUSD Insider, 2020
Ruef participated in CUSD’s Principal for a Day program, which brought community leaders, business owners, and elected officials onto CUSD campuses to experience school operations firsthand. The article identifies Ruef as a former Mission Viejo Community Services Commissioner and includes a photograph of him speaking at the Principal for a Day luncheon at the CUSD district office on February 28, 2020.

Public Voting Record:

• Candidate has no previous record of holding public office

Follow the Money: 

• There’s limited information publicly available about Ron’s campaign donors - this could mean either that the information has not yet been uploaded, or that he does not have donors to share information on. 

• At this time, Ron’s campaign appears largely self-funded, with a $5,000 contribution coming from himself to his campaign being all that is publicly listed.

Capistrano Unified School District, Area 7 (Candidate)

Candidate Statement:

“LINDA SHEPARD | Educator/Orange County Businesswoman

I am passionate about education. I earned degrees from Saint Mary’s College and Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business.

My work for young people has included:

• Teaching accounting/finance at three universities

• Teaching TK-3 students

• Tutoring K-8 students

• Tutoring high school geometry

• Leading a Gifted and Talented Education career program

• Helping build Discovery Science Center

• 13 years organizing math and science family nights for Capistrano Unified School District schools

• 24 years working with Scouting America families

As a financial professional, I have been:

• Chief Financial Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

• Accounting Director, Taco Bell Corporation

• Senior Manager, Finance, Los Angeles Market, Verizon

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), KPMG

Capistrano Unified School District is facing years of declining enrollment and significant budget challenges. As an educator and CPA, I will work tirelessly to get us back on track. As your trustee on the Capistrano Unified School District board, I will:

• Fight for a high-quality education for every student

• Restore strong foundations in core subjects and American civics

• Protect parental rights: ensure transparent access to curriculum

• Defend local control and focus classroom resources on students

• Demand complete accountability of taxpayer dollars

I will bring an educator’s experience, mother’s perspective, and small business owner’s financial discipline to every decision. I am honored to be endorsed by Capistrano Unified School District Trustees Judy Bullockus, Lisa Zollinger, Jennifer Adnams, and Lisa

Davis. I respectfully ask for your vote. www.lindaforcusd.com”

Email: 

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

Priorities: 

• Encourage Excellence in Core Subjects.

• Prioritize Love of Learning

• Develop Skills for Critical Thinking

• Prepare for Life After High School

• Parental Rights

• Defend Local Control

• Demand Fiscal Responsibility

• Restore strong foundations in core subjects and American civics.

• Enforce educational excellence in reading, writing, math and science.

• Teach the truth that our Founders studied thousands of years of governance to create the American experiment of our U.S. Constitution.

Any Other Interesting Info:

• Endorsement Connections: Linda openly states that she is endorsed by current trustees Lisa Davis, Lisa Zollinger, and Jennifer Adnams. It is important to note that these three candidates are openly anti-LGBTQ. Adams and Zollinger campaigned in 2024 with a special focus on fearmongering about trans kids in sports (of which there aren’t any to our knowledge in Capo USD), and Lisa Davis was behind the efforts to establish forced outing policies in Capo USD. All three are affiliated with the Heritage Foundation. Source 

• Linda Shepard was photographed at a Lincoln Club Of Orange County function smiling and posing with notable anti-LGBTQ+ activists Sonja Shaw, Sophia Lorey, Brenda Lebsack, Lisa Sparks, and Mari Barke in an opinion article by The Truth OC, “A Worse Judy Bullockus?”, July 13, 2026. Sophia Lorey in particular is the spokeswoman for the California Family Council, which is a spin-off organization of Focus on the Family, and was the leading organization behind Prop 8 in 2008, which banned gay marriage in the state of California, a stance Lorey still openly supports. 

• Voice of OC, “Here Are Mission Viejo Candidates’ Views on Election Rules, Fiscal Responsibility and the Environment⁠,” October 31, 2022. In a candidate questionnaire during her unsuccessful campaign for Mission Viejo City Council, Linda Shepard questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election, claimed California makes voter fraud easy, and expressed distrust of mail-in voting. She also dismissed human-caused climate change, opposed rent control and protected bicycle lanes, and argued that homelessness is rarely caused by economic conditions or high housing costs.

Social Media Links: 

• Campaign Instagram

• Campaign Facebook

Follows on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook:

• The American Truth Project (As of 10.11.2026, the three pinned posts on this account were labeled ‘The Brutal Muslim Slave Trade’, ‘Patriotic Riders Riding Against Islam’, and ‘Islam has Conquered Michigan’. The second video is covering the islamophobia hate rally hosted in Dearborn, Michigan by violent white supremacist Jake Lang)

• ISGAP International “The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy” (The posts on this page are explicitly Zionist. One reel near the top has the caption, “HAVE WE GOTTEN DUMBER? How Afghanistan proves that many activists are actually motivated by Jew hatred, and not justice.”) 

Candidate’s Public Comments:

OC Register: Linda Shepard, Capistrano Unified School District Area 7 candidate, 2026 election questionnaire October 5, 2026 (See link for full questionnaire)

Q: To you, what is the role of a school board in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: The school board has a strategic role to set policy direction for the district. The school board is an elected body charged with keeping the best interests of students in mind in both academics and activities. The school board ensures accountability that children are learning and meeting or exceeding grade-level targets each year.

High school graduates should be prepared for the next steps in life — be it college, trade school, entrepreneurship, or employment — and have a grasp of the financial responsibilities of adulthood. The school board is also the steward of local taxpayers’ dollars. Money should be wisely spent to ensure a well-educated next generation.

Q: 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? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)

A: All students should be taught to be respectful of other people’s opinions, but an opinion requires some supporting evidence. Students need to be taught that opinions are to be formed based on data or facts that are evaluated. Consider the sources of information and any implicit bias. An excellent warning to children (and adults) is that if you hear news and your first reaction is emotional, stop and analyze. Emotion is often used to manipulate. The purpose of an education is to learn and develop the skills of critical thinking. This requires opening the mind. “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” -Joseph Joubert (1754-1824).

Thus, it is acceptable to politely challenge opinions.

Endorsed by: 

• 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, after she worked to pass a forced outing policy in the district. 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.

• 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)

• Lisa Davis
  Board President, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 3)

• Jennifer Adnams
  Clerk of the Board, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 1)

• Lisa Zollinger
  Board Member, Capistrano Unified School District (Trustee Area 2)

• Judy Bullockus
  Board Vice President, Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 7

• Trish Kelley
  City Council Member, Mission Viejo, District 4

• Bob Ruesch
  City Council Member, Mission Viejo, District 1

Candidate in the News:

• (Left-Bias Opinion) The Truth OC, “A Worse Judy Bullockus?,” July 13, 2026. Linda Shepard is a candidate for Capistrano Unified School District Trustee Area 7. The article reports that Shepard is aligned with far-right education activists, including CUSD Board President Lisa Davis, and has appeared publicly with prominent opponents of LGBTQ+ inclusion, including Sonja Shaw, Mari Barke, and Brenda Lebsack. It also notes that Shepard supported outgoing trustee Judy Bullockus and remained silent after Bullockus used a racial slur during a public board meeting—raising serious concerns about the ideology and judgment Shepard would bring to the board.

• (Left-Bias Opinion) The Truth OC, “Linda Shepard is on the bus,” September 16, 2026
  Pearlman examines the CUSD Trustee Area 7 race, focusing primarily on candidate Linda Shepard’s campaign messaging, positions, endorsements, and use of a yellow-school-bus campaign graphic previously used by CUSD Trustees Lisa Davis, Jennifer Adnams, and Lisa Zollinger. Pearlman contrasts Shepard with Ron Ruef, describes Ruef favorably, and explicitly advocates for his election.

• (Left-Bias Opinion) The Truth OC — “It’s the Company You Keep,” September 17, 2026
  Jeff Pearlman follows up on his earlier profile of Linda Shepherd after finding a photograph on Shepherd’s Instagram showing her with Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Board and a 2026 candidate for California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

  • Pearlman uses the photograph to raise questions about Shepherd’s views on transgender students and whether she agrees with Shaw’s conduct and positions. Shaw has been a prominent opponent of transgender girls participating in girls’ athletics. In 2025, she attended a high-school track meet involving transgender student-athlete AB Hernandez and had a confrontation with Hernandez’s mother. Pearlman asks whether Shepherd considers Shaw’s conduct appropriate and how Shepherd, if elected to the CUSD Board, would respond to similar situations involving transgender students.

Public Voting Record:

• Candidate has no previous record of holding public office

Follow the Money: 

• $3,500 from The Lincoln Club of Orange County State PAC, an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group

• $935.04 from The Lincoln Club of Orange County State PAC, an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group

• $1,000 from Wayne Lindholm, Carralero received $1,000 from Lindholm, a former president of the conservative Lincoln Club of Orange County, identified by Voice of OC as president of the group

• $2,148 from 1962 PAC of the Lincoln Club of Orange County, an explicitly anti-LGBTQ group

• Linda paid $120 out of her campaign funds for a ticket to an event hosted by “Californians for Equal Rights Foundation” - the name could be considered misleading, as the organization’s website leads with “We are in a cultural war / The woke culture is destroying America and its future generations! We need all hands on deck to stop the attacks on our cultural values and our kids. All Americans must ACT NOW!’. The organization joined in on a lawsuit against San Francisco Unified to challenge an ethnic studies mandate, per their own website. Source

• Linda also paid $100 in 2008 to “PROTECTMARRIAGE.COM - YES ON 8, A PROJECT OF CALIFORNIA RENEWAL”.