School Boards

Candidates by High School District

Anaheim Union High

District 3


Katherine Smith (I) Website Ballotpedia

Notes

Board member since 1996

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Jose Paolo Magcalas Democrat Website Ballotpedia Instagram

Notes

Current board member in Anaheim Elementary

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC; Working Families Party, CAIR, OC Justice for Palestine

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Devotee of Marxist ideology in ethnic studies

District 4


Brian O’Neal (I) Website Ballotpedia

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Henry Charoen Website

Notes

Current trustee in Centralia Elementary

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 5


Ron Hoshi (I) Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Steve Blount Democrat Website Facebook Instagram

Notes

Current trustee in North OC College

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Brea-Olinda Unified

District 2


Deanna Miller (I) Website Facebook Instagram

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 3


Paul Ruiz (I) Website Facebook

Notes

Current President; Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 5


Gail Lyons (I) Website Facebook

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Capistrano Unified

District 1


Amy Hanacek (I) Democrat Website Facebook

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Replied to Questionnaire: against all hate; brought in ADL’s ‘No Place for Hate’ program; supports unbiased and inclusive ethnic studies education

Jennifer Adnams Republican Website Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep Party of OC; Lincoln Club; Moms for Liberty

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting Notes: Strong supporter of the Jewish community; share in Christian values

District 2


Michael Parham (I) Website Facebook Instagram

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Reply to Questionnaire: Schools and universities failed to enforce laws and regulations to protect students; supports a transparent process with community involvement for ethnic studies

Lisa Zollinger Republican Website Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC; Lincoln Club

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting Notes: Strong supporter of the Jewish community and Israel; there is no room for politics in ethnic studies curriculum

District 3


Lisa Davis (I) Republican Website Ballotpedia Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC; Lincoln Club

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting Notes: Strong supporter of the Jewish community and Israel; will fight for ethnic studies curriculum free of bias; wants to ensure more support for conservative values and stronger policies to prevent hate groups from flourishing.

Sherine Smith Democrat Website

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Reply to questionnaire: appalled by the rise in antisemitism; supports ADL and AJC programs and tools; ethnic studies curriculum development should include trained experts, students, families and community institutions

District 5


Krista Castellanos (I) Democrat Website Ballotpedia Facebook Instagram

Notes

Current board President

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Sonia Terwiske Republican Website Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC, Mayor Mike Munzing, US Reps Young Kim and Michelle Steel, CA Assm Diane Dixon

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Reply to Questionnaire: we must discuss faith with our kids; will come to Temple Beth El to pray with them if allowed; no curriculum on faith should be developed without involvement of that faith group.

Fullerton Joint Union

District 2


Joanne Fawley (I) Democrat Website Ballotpedia Facebook

Notes

Running unopposed

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Reply to Questionnaire: we do not tolerate antisemitic behavior in our district; ethnic studies course has been in place for a couple years; was developed by qualified teachers and community involvement

District 3


Vicki Calhoun (I) Democrat Website

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Garden Grove Unified

District 1


Teri Rocco(I) Democrat Website Ballotpedia Facebook Instagram

Notes

Current board President

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Key Endorsements

California School Employees Association GGUSD

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 3


Walter Muneton (I) Democrat Website Ballotpedia Facebook Instagram

Notes

Running unopposed

Key Endorsements

OC Dem Party; Working Families Party

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 5


Dina Nguyen (I) Ballotpedia

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Khai Dao

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Huntington Beach Union

District 2


Christine Hernandez (I) Website Facebook Instagram

Notes

Running unopposed

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 3


Susan Henry (I) Website Ballotpedia

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Leeann Corral

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Irvine Unified

District 1


Lauren Brooks (I) Website Ballotpedia Facebook

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Strong leader, member and supporter of the Jewish community; serves as VP of Programs the OC School Board Association

District 3


Cyril Yu (I) Website Facebook

Notes

Current President; Running unopposed

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Reply to Questionnaire: Board does not agendize matters outside of its jurisdiction; has made a very deliberate and thoughtful process to develop its ethnic studies course

District 5


Connie Stone

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Note

Appointed in September to replace Paul Bokota

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Laguna Beach Unified

At Large – Elect 2


Jan Vickers(I) Democrat

Notes

Current President

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Lauren Boeck Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Margaret Mary Warder Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Howard Hills Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Sheri Morgan Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

As PTA president, invited in member of ADL to help address and educate about antisemitism/hate. Would ensure that our Ethnic studies curriculum is fact based, accurately portrayed through the lens of the experts within the Jewish community and accurately represents the history. Our community is very accepting of the Jewish faith as we recognize and honor the Jewish traditions and avoid large school events on the high holy days in the Jewish culture.

Los Alamitos Unified

District 2


Chris Forehan (I) Democrat Website

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Email Reply: we have a deep commitment to an exclusive environment; Jewish families are an integral part of our community

District 4


Farnaz Pardasani Website Instagram

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

L Bobby Papoulias Website Facebook Instagram

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 5


Matt Bragman Website Facebook Instagram

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Perla Mendoza Republican Website

Key Endorsements

Sup. of OC Dept of Education, US Rep Michelle Steel, Scott Baugh

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Newport Mesa Unified

District 1


Leah Ersoylu (I) Democrat Website

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC, US Rep Correa

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Evan Carey Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Robin Mensinger Republican Website

Key Endorsements

Rep Party of OC, US Rep Michelle Steel, Sup Don Wagner, OC BoE Trustees

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting and Questionnaire notes: Pro Israel, pro education/ not indoctrination; need to ensure the memory of the Holocaust is not brushed off; Need to respond more strongly to incidents of antisemitism

District 3


Carole Crane (I) Democrat Website Facebook

Notes

Current board President

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC, John Stephens (Costa Mesa Mayor), Cyril Yu (IUSD Pres)

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Call and email notes: Lebanese Christian with Jewish husband; taught at TVT for several years; kids participated in Birthright; facilitated student visits to Holocaust museum; collaborates with Jewish Orgs

Philip Stemler Republican Website Candidate statement Instagram

Key Endorsements

OC Rep Party, Newport Beach council member Michelle Barto, Newport Police & Fire

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting Notes: as a prosecutor, committed to public safety and the rule of law (including drawing line between free speech and hate speech), no room for politics in our schools; open to learn more

District 6


Krista Weigand (I) Republican Website Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC, Scott Baugh

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Amy Peters Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Chris Kretzu Democrat Website

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Orange Unified

District 2


Sierra Vane Website Facebook

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 3


Ana Page (I) Democrat Website Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC, WAVE

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Dzung Nguyen

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 4


Sara Pelly (I) Democrat Website Facebook Instagram

Notes

Appointed in May to replace recalled member

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC, Equality California, OC Labor Federation

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

As a new candidate running for the first time. would not respond to our questionnaire or take our call since wasn’t sure if she could trust us

Armando Perez Serrato Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Rabid progressive, pro-Palestinian, affiliated with CAIR

District 6


Matthew Thomas Website

Notes

Running unopposed

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 6


Stephen Glass (I) Website

Notes

Appointed in May to replace recalled member

Key Endorsements

Dem Party of OC, Orange Unified Education Association

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Steve Rocco Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Recent write-up

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified

District 1


Tricia Quintero Website Facebook

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Ryan James Miller Republican Website Facebook

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC, OC BoE Trustee Ken Williams, CA Assm. Philip Chen

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Nicholas Cardenas

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 2


Marilyn Anderson (I) Website Facebook

Key Endorsements

Placentia Police Association

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Maria Lupita Stubbs Republican Website Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC, OC BoE Trustee Ken Williams

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 3


Leandra Blades (I) Website

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC, US Reps Young Kim and Michelle Steel, Sup Don Wagner, OC Dept of Ed Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Misty Janssen Website Facebook Instagram

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Saddleback Valley Unified

District 2


Michele Sparks Website

Key Endorsements

SV educators association

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Scott Miller Republican Website

Key Endorsements

Rep Party of OC, US Rep Young Kim, Dr. Stefan Bean, Dr Ken Williams

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Close friend of the Jewish Israeli community, attends many IAC meetings

District 3


Suzie Swartz (I) Website

Key Endorsements

CA retired teachers association D42

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Member of the Jewish communtiy; stated strong support for our student needs

Michelle O’Brien Republican Website Instagram

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC, Dr. Stefan Bean, Dr. Ken Williams

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

My best friend was Jewish In middle school some kids were planning to beat her up after school just for being Jewish. A long story short, I was ready to take on those bullies by myself I couldn’t understand why they would want to hurt her but I was willing to protect her, During a Saddleback Valley Unified School Board meeting I met and briefly spoke with Inbal Greenberg of the Israeli American Council (IAC). She along with others were there to speak about the Ethnic studies curriculum the district would be implementing. IAC members requested the opportunity to review it prior to its approval. One of their concerns was that the truth wouldn’t be told, and students could be taught from a biased point of view. In speaking with Inbal, I agreed with the importance that since Ethnic studies would require to be taught

District 4


Amanda Morrell (I) Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Reply to Questionnaire: committed to a safe environment for all students; district has an ethnic studies committee with teacher and parent reps ensuring curriculum is inclusive, fact based and follows state mandate

Michael Stannard Republican Website

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Santa Ana Unified

District 1


Rigo Rodriguez (I) Democrat Website

Key Endorsements

CAIR, OC Justice for Palestine

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

One of main instigators behind antisemitic ethnic studies curriculum; not endorsed by Democratic party this year.

Brenda Lebsack Republican Website Facebook Instagram

Key Endorsements

Lincoln Club, Orange County Board of Education

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Retired teacher, former board member of Orange Unified; appalled by the current board’s acts against the Jewish community; works with interfaith community. Vocal defender of parental rigths.

District 2


Lloyd Boucher-Reyes Website Facebook

Key Endorsements

Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, OC BoE Trustees Shaw and Valdez

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

local businessman, grandson in the district; cares about involving parents and eliminating special interests

Valerie Magdaleno Democrat Website

Key Endorsements

OC Supervisor Vince Sarmiento, California Working Families Party, Santa Ana council members Benjamin Vazquez, Johnathan Hernandez, SAUSD board member Rigo Rodriguez, CAIR, OC Justice for Palestine

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Aide to Jesse Lopez; part of super Progressive slate

District 3


Alfonso Alvarez (I) Democrat Website

Key Endorsements

CAIR, OC Justice for Palestine

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

was caught in DUI, part of the Super-left slate

Dana Suarez Democrat Instagram

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Mom of kids in district; works with at-risk teens

Tamiko Anderson

Notes

Dropped out

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

not much info

Tustin Unified

District 1


Allyson Damikolas (I) Democrat Website Instagram

Notes

Current Board President

Key Endorsements

OC Dem Party, Sup Vince Sarmiento, Tustin Educators Association

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Joe Portera Republican Website

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting note: Spoke about education funds being put in wrong place

District 2


Kathy Copeland Republican Website Facebook

Key Endorsements

Rep party of OC

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Supports the Jewish community – daughter experienced UCLA encampments

Bill Pevehouse Website Facebook

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

District 4


Johnathan Stone (I) Democrat Website Facebook

Key Endorsements

OC Dem Party

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Not provided

Mark McCallie Website

Questionnaire Responses and Notes

Meeting note: Has been to Israel, supports our community

  1. Incumbent candidates are denoted with an (I).
  2. Party affiliation and website are denoted when available.