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2018 OUSD Candidate Statements

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Here are the OUSD School Board Candidate statements for the 2018 Orange Unified School District Trustee Areas (listed in the order of the Orange County Registrar of Voters website). The General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. The OUSD Trustee Areas that up for election this year are Trustee Areas 1, 4 (Villa Park), 5 and 7.

OUSD Candidate Statements

The Orange Unified School School District is divided into 7 trustee areas. Members of the Orange Unified Board of Education are elected by district to four-year terms on a staggered basis every even-numbered year in November. Special elections to fill vacancies on the board can be scheduled outside of the general election schedule.

Trustee Area 1

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

Having had the honor to serve the district that served my own3 children, I understand the enormous impact that School Board decisions have on our students, their education, and their future. It is a responsibility I take seriously.

Our students need access to a strong, well-rounded education that includes the arts, technology and career pathways that will maximize their potential and prepare them to be college and/or career ready upon graduation.

Every vote that I have made as a school board member has prioritized both the needs of students and responsible spending.

Looking ahead, my priorities are to:

  • Create safe and upgraded 21st Century learning environments
  • Promote strong board governance emphasizing full transparency
  • Provide strong fiscal oversight of bond implementation and taxpayer monies
  • Communicate and be responsive to the needs of students and parents

It is my desire to continue to visit campuses, engage with the community and be actively involved on the boards of Parent Organizations and Education Foundations so I can advocate for our stakeholders, and ensure we make the best decisions for the students and their education.

I have the support of parents, local teachers and community leaders and I humbly ask for your vote.

Sandra Angel
Parent/Payroll Manager

If you are tired of seeing School District administrators getting hefty raises while students and teachers do without basic necessities,then I am your candidate for Orange Unified School District Board Member. I have been an accounting professional for over 20 years so I know how to get the most out of a tight budget.

I raised three boys who went through our public school system. It saddens me to see all the policy changes that have taken place, not to mention the waste of construction bond money. I believe in fair and open negotiations of all school district contracts; but that is not what is happening. The overspending and waste are staggering.

There is nothing more important to our society than to prepare our youth for a challenging future with a strong education that prepares them to earn a living. I believe in shop classes and am open to charter schools for failing areas.

As parents of OUSD youth you have a right to know where your hard-earned tax dollars are going. If you believe as I do that a healthy amount of skepticism and proven leadership skills at the community level is needed, please vote for me.

Trustee Area 4 – Villa Park

KATHY MOFFAT
Governing Board Member, Orange Unified SchoolDistrict, Trustee Area 4

Orange Unified School District is a District of Excellence with high-achieving schools, Teachers of the Year, administrators who are statewide education leaders. Over 70 % of our schools are Gold Ribbon Schools, more than any Orange County school district. Cerro Villa Middle School is a National School to Watch. Richland Continuation School is a statewide model. Some of our high schools are nationally-ranked academically, some are football champions.

Building upon the basics, OUSD has innovated instruction, and integrated technology into the classroom. We offer superlative visual and performing arts programs, dual-language immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin, and wide-ranging career pathways from aviation, to culinary arts, and video/film production.Our exciting Measure S modernization of science labs and classrooms is on time and on budget, and we’re renovating athletic fields using district savings.

As your trustee, it’s been my privilege to contribute leadership to these advancements.

Strong academics, student safety, and successful Measure S implementation are my top priorities. I ask the difficult questions,and never shy away from challenge. My service reflects integrity, dedication, transparency, and connection to parents and our community. With my understanding and experience in education issues, governance, and school finance, I pledge to keep OUSD moving forward.

I would be honored to receive your vote.

JOE FERRENTINO
Small Business Owner

OUSD recently approved an unprecedented $250 million for improvements to our high schools. Repairs to all of our schools are long overdue, but Orange Unified is on pace to waste millions of dollars that could be used to improve the educational experience that our kids need and deserve. I can provide project management leadership.

My family has lived in Orange and Villa Park for 23 years and our three children have attended elementary through high school in OUSD. We have witnessed how OUSD has neglected our schools to the point that repairs are critical.

I have an Economics degree from Cal Poly and over 20 years of experience working with architects, engineers, contractors, cost estimators, and construction insurance programs. I have advised other high schools with large-scale improvements such as these. As your School Board Trustee, I will make sure that our children and our School District receive the maximum benefit from these projects, hold the professionals accountable, and protect the District from waste and undue risk.

School safety, quality education, parents’ rights, and fiscal responsibility are all top priorities for me.

Let’s build a better future together for OUSD.

Learn more about my commitment to you: www.JoeFerrentino.com

Trustee Area 5

TIMOTHY L. “TIM” SURRIDGE
Governing Board Member, Orange Unified SchoolDistrict, Trustee Area 5

As a teacher and leader with over 25 years of experience in education, I have always placed our students’ interests first. Schoolsafety is a priority to me and I will continue to work to ensure thatour schools are the safest schools in Orange County.

During my term as OUSD Board Member, my efforts have led to:

  • Reinstating of Art and Music in every elementary school districtwide;
  • Districtwide Automated External Defibrillator adoption; and
  • The preservation of our OUSD Charter Schools.

My work experience across all grade levels and as a coach has provided me unique experience and expertise to continue to lead the Orange Unified School District. My wife is a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher with over 30 years of experience. We love living in this community and want to continue to improve the quality of our public schools.

My goals for the next four years include:

  • Opposing the sex education curriculum pushed by Sacramento;
  • Improving school safety;
  • Expanding student job training curriculum; and
  • Opposing Common Core.

My supporters include:

  • Orange County Board of Education Trustee Mari Barke
  • Orange County Board of Education Trustee Dr. Ken Williams
  • Orange Unified School District Board Member Rick Ledesma
  • Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait
  • Orange Councilmember Fred Whitaker
  • Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Phil Yarbrough

I ask for your support in re-electing me to the Orange Unified School District Board.

www.votesurridge.com

KRIS ERICKSON
Parent/Attorney/Businessowner

I’ve been a resident of Orange Unified School District for over 43years. My husband and I both attended OUSD schools and sent our daughters to OUSD schools.

As a working mom running my own small business for over 15 years,I made it a priority to volunteer in our community and show my children the importance of public service and hard work. Whether it was serving on PTA, mentoring students, fundraising for student events, or leading the charge for improved classrooms and campus facilities, supporting our students has always been my number one priority.

Strong public schools build successful communities. As a parent and volunteer, I’ve seen the challenges OUSD faces. I’m committed to working everyday to make OUSD a district of choice.

As your trustee, I will:

Make improving student achievement the highest priority.

Protect our investments in our homes and community by strengthening our local schools.

Ensure parents and community members a place at the table.

Safeguard our schools, protect our children, and prioritize campus security.

Create a more functional school board that deserves the public’s confidence.

Let’s put our students first. I humbly ask for your vote.

Email questions to ericksonforousd2018@gmail.com Learn moreat: www.krisforschoolboard.com
3175

Trustee Area 7

RICK LEDESMA
Governing Board Member, Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7

I’m proud to serve as your Orange Unified School District Governing Board Member. As a graduate of Orange Unified School District schools, I want to continue giving back to the schools that gave me a quality education.

My record as your Board Member includes:

  • Orange Unified’s first-ever National Blue-Ribbon School;
  • 18 OUSD schools named California Distinguished Schools;
  • Increased test scores;
  • Carefully scrutinizing spending of taxpayer dollars;
  • Standing up to educational bureaucrats.

With my career in finance, I have unique insight into budgeting processes and management. My wife of 20 years and I are raising our children in our community, and I’m dedicated to making the best decisions for the families of the Orange Unified School District.

Over the next four years, I’ll continue to:

  • Oppose the current sex education curriculum being pushed by Sacramento;
  • Promote a back to basics education;
  • Advance technology education;
  • Oppose Common Core;
  • Approve and protect charter schools;
  • Fight for complete accountability with your taxpayer dollars

My supporters include:

  • Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Dr. Lisa Sparks
  • Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Dr. Ken Williams
  • Orange County Board of Education Trustee, Mari Barke
  • OUSD Boardmember, Dr. Alexia Deligianni
  • OUSD Boardmember, Timothy L. “Tim” Surridge

Please cast your ballot for Rick Ledesma on November 6th for Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7.

STEVE ROCCO
Writer/Retired Educator

Steve Rocco grew up on the same street as Marlon Brando. Lucille Ball’s best friend lived across the stree. Profiled: every network, Today Show (Katie Couric), PBS, USA TODAY.

is a citizen of the European Union and USA. Earned 8 college degrees, 3 teaching credentials, taught in the OUSD schools for several years.

hosted KYOU cable TV, “Issues And.. PS Rocco.” (7 years) Author’d Behind the Orange Curtain: origins of organized crime in OC. The partnership of Chapman U, OC Register, Albertsons.

author’d Rackauckas/Pulido Recalls, Against: Measure S tax hikes.

understands the Romance languages. Consults American/European issues. 310,310 have voted for him.

OUSD board member, 2004-08: Never voted out! Gerrymandered, yes!

worked 11 years with Dr. Thelma Villanueva/Pathalogist solving cold cases. Including the murders of his family. Lawsuit: Roccovs Orange. Rocco wins. Rackauckas’ neighbor invades Rocco residence. SWAT: Rocco is targeted for murder at Chapman U.Law suit: Rocco vs Albertsons. CEO’S son : arrested and murdered(drugs). Anniversary killings follow: Colorado, Norway. DA Special Project: Rocco.

Investigations: Commendation is sent (Santa Ana Police Department). A Arrests of Sinaloa drug dealers follow.

a criminal justice degree is earned/OC Sheriff’s Academy. SteveRocco heads the Orange County Organized Crime and Political Corruption Watch.

Steve Rocco

SEAN GRIFFIN
Parent/Classroom Teacher

An opportunity to attend college brought me to California from my small hometown in Oregon. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, and decided I wanted to teach.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be twenty years into my teaching career and the department chair for junior high students receiving special education services. I also love coaching four different sports each school year.

My wife, Nora, is also a teacher working at three local colleges. My step-son, Mac, is now a young adult who was given so much care and support during his time as an OUSD student receiving special education services.

I am running for OUSD school board to work as hard as I can to support every student and educator in our community.

I will focus on providing students equitable opportunities to achieve a well-rounded education.

I will be open-minded and collaborative to find solutions to challenges facing our school district; including school safety, structural improvements, and a sensible financial plan.

I will utilize my experience as a classroom teacher to help create successful schools.

I am eager to get to work and, respectfully, ask for your vote.

You can reach me at www.seangriffinforschoolboard.com

Filing records for all candidates can be found at the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

OUSD Trustee Area Map

The Orange Unified School District serves approximately 28,000 students in grades kindergarten through 12th, and encompasses all or part of the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, and Villa Park.

41 Education Sites:

  • 4 High Schools (Canyon, El Modena, Orange, Villa Park)
  • 3 Middle Schools (Cerro Villa, Portola, Yorba)
  • 2 Charter Middle Schools (El Rancho Charter, Santiago Charter)
  • 1 K-8 Magnet School (McPherson Magnet School)
  • 26 Elementary Schools
  • 5 Specialized Programs

2018 Villa Park Election News

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