Here are the OUSD School Board Candidate statements for the 2020 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 3, 2020. The OUSD Trustee Areas that up for election this year are Trustee Areas 2, 3 and 6.
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 2
John Ortega
Governing Board Member, Orange Unified SchoolDistrict, Trustee Area 2
As a former law enforcement officer, I have fought to make sure that the schools in Orange Unified School District are as safe as possible. Protecting our children should be the top priority of our board, and as a husband and father, I understand the importance of safe schools.
I was born in Orange County and raised as a 2nd generation resident of the City of Orange. My roots run deep within our city and I enjoy giving back to the community in which I grew up.
My wife, a middle school teacher, and I have chosen to raise our three children in Orange. Our oldest daughter graduated from Orange Unified School District schools and our youngest two children both currently attend schools in the district.
During my time as a Trustee, some of our district’s achievements include:
- Upgraded facilities at all of our schools, including new high school science centers, sports fields, and Fred Kelly Stadium;
- Numerous award-winning schools;
- Highest number of Gold Ribbon Schools in Orange County;
- High quality of education in all of our schools;
- Increased number of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math programs;
- Increased test scores;
- Strong fiscal stability; and
- Enriched programs for music and the arts.
My goals for the next four years include:
- Improve vocational training offered in all schools;
- Increase college and career readiness through programs such as AVID, Upward Bound, GATE, R.O.T.C. and Early College Academy;Involve parents in developing and adopting curriculum;
- Make school campuses physically, educationally, and emotionally safe; and
- Make the district more transparent to all stakeholders.
If I am blessed to serve on the school board for another term, I will continue to advocate for programs and policies that ensure the well being of the students. I believe that during this unprecedented time, it is imperative that all students received the same quality of education regardless of how that education is delivered and received.
My focus remains on being accountable to the parents and students and not local elected officials. I would be honored to have your support. I pledge to persevere in my goal of keeping the schools of Orange Unified ones that parents, teachers, students, and staff are happy to call their homes away from home.
Tiger Kennedy Cosmos
Technology Instructor/Parent
As a parent of two young girls attending school in Orange Unified, I have been an active volunteer on campus and have seen firsth and some of the challenges our district faces. As a leader in the technology industry, I will bring a new, innovative and forward-thinking vision to our schools to enhance our students’ educational experience. Current events create opportunities for growth and change and My business and technology expertise combined with my passion for public education make me uniquely qualified to help lead our district.
Quality public education is the foundation of our democracy and is the engine for economic growth. Strong schools attract families to our neighborhoods and increase property values. OUSD will attract more students when its reputation is enhanced by new leadership committed to providing every single student with the tools and skills they need to succeed.
As a child, I struggled with dyslexia. However, with the love of my family and the support of excellent teachers and mentors, I persevered. That strong educational foundation allowed me to be the first in my family to graduate college and eventually earn my master’s degree. Education has opened many doors in my life, and we must continue to provide those same opportunities to all of our children.
I know firsthand the importance of a high-quality education and mentorship in helping students overcome a variety of obstacles to learning. I’ve devoted much of my time to volunteering with adult literacy programs and tutoring students with special needs.Throughout my professional career, I’ve led STEM sessions in our schools and worked with at-risk youth through the GRIP (Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership) Program.
As your school board trustee, I will:
- Work with parents and our community to ensure the safety and well-being of all students;
- Exercise fiscal responsibility to ensure students receive maximum benefit and Measure S dollars are spent as voters intended;
- Work to attract the best teachers to our district, and
- Renew our focus on science, technology, arts and math.
- Lastly, I will work to create an environment that is tolerant and supportive of all students, no matter their backgrounds or needs.
- As your Trustee, I will always fight for our students and teachers. I would be honored to have your support in serving this community.
www.TigerCosmos.com
Trustee Area 3
ALEXIA DELIGIANNI-BRYDGES
Governing Board Member, Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 3
It has been my honor to serve as your Orange Unified School District Board Member for the past twelve years. During my time on the board, my priority has been to make decisions that benefit students,parents, and the community.
As a Doctor of Educational Leadership, I have the experience and knowledge to continue to improve the Orange Unified School District. Having experience teaching in the classroom has helped guide me in my decision-making.
Educational excellence is my top priority. During my time as your board member, OUSD schools have won the following awards:
- California Gold Ribbon Schools Award
- National Blue Ribbon Award
- Golden Bell Award
- Distinguished School Award
- Apple Distinguished School Award
- Schools to Watch Award
- California Model Continuation School Award
As your school board member, I will continue to:
- Provide high-quality educational programs;
- Fight for strong fiscal oversight;
- keep our district’s budget balance;
- Protect your tax dollars; and ask the tough questions.
My leadership and experience have earned me the support of:
- Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner
- Orange Unified School District Trustee Rick Ledesma
- Orange Unified School District Trustee Brenda Lebsack
- Orange Unified School District Trustee John Ortega
- Orange City Councilman Chip Monaco
Please join my supporters in voting for Alexia Deligianni-Brydges for Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 3.
Thank you, and God Bless.
ANA PAGE
Educator/Nonprofit Director
ANA PAGE
Parents and students face challenges that seem insurmountable,and they need to know they can count on their local public-school leadership. I am a proud alumna of the Orange Unified School District (OUSD) and a parent to an OUSD student. Teachers and mentors inspired my passion for learning. They helped me develop leadership skills that have strengthened my educational practice,sharpened my early childhood development expertise, and helped sustain my advocacy for students and parents. I have experience as a classroom teacher, college professor, administrator, published researcher, author, policy expert in child development, and as a program and curriculum coordinator.
As an educator, I prioritize bringing individuals together from abroad range of backgrounds and experiences. OUSD is rich in diversity, and I have experience developing curricula in multiple languages, for diverse cultures, and for a variety of learners. My years of teaching in private and public-school classrooms have shaped my philosophies toward education. I am confident my vast experience will guide my decision with intent and focus on ensuring each student’s success.
As Director of Education for Pretend City Children’s Museum, I collaborate with the best educational minds in the County to create curricula and provide engaging learning experiences for children and families. The pandemic (COVID-19) and school closures created anxiety for parents. In response, I crafted the Play at Home Initiative to support families with research-based strategies to address distance learning. Additionally, I produced a weekly parent webinar covering children’s developmental needs and served as a support group for parents dealing with the reality of “parenting while in quarantine.”
As President of the non-profit Orange County Association for the Education of Young Children, I advocated for the needs of children at the local and state levels. For my work, I have received numerous recognition and, most notably, the Congressional Women of Distinction Award. I am proud to have the endorsement of many leaders in the community, including OUSD Trustee Andrea Yamasaki, “Ana’s diverse experience and background make her uniquely qualified to serve as a trustee in OUSD, and I am proud to support her!”
I will utilize my experience and skills to support students in our own OUSD community as your next Trustee. I’m deeply committed to working collaboratively toward a common goal of creating positive and rich learning environments. Orange Unified School District is strong, but it continues to face significant challenges. I believe new leadership that is student and family-focused will move OUSD forward. I am qualified, experienced, and ready to serve as your trustee.
Trustee Area 6
April Braswell
Business Consultant/Instructor
April Braswell is your neighbor, she’s one of us. A longtime resident;she lives, works and worships here in Orange. Licensed and certified small business owner creating jobs in our community.
April Braswell is a community saver, she’s a Master Certified Life Coach. Her instruction has saved the lives and relationships of many families. The Red Cross is indebted to April’s life-saving platelets donations.
April Braswell is well educated at UC Cal Berkeley, Smith College,and graduate studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies and Golden Gate University. She has turned her years of higher education into relation and lifesaving outreach programs.
April Braswell is a instructor at Orange Coast College, MiraCosta College, and LA Harbor College. April is an author, writer and columnist.
April Braswell is active in our community, Trinity of Orange Episcopal Church, Mariners Church, Toastmasters, Junior League,President Holistic Chamber of Commerce, and DEFY Ventures.
April Braswell will fix our schools. She will get students into classrooms, fix the budgets, require cursive writing and typing instruction, install career curriculum and top ranked college preparation. April will make our campuses secure with single gate entrances and ID badges.
April Braswell is one of us.
April Braswell
Carrie Lundell
Parent/Business Owner
Quality public education directly contributes to the economic and cultural health of our community. For 13 years, this belief has driven me to volunteer in Orange Unified schools, serving as a PTA and PTO president, running coach, classroom assistant, and art teacher.At the district level, I have served with teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to review curriculum and have regularly engaged in school board meetings. My work has earned me the formal endorsement of our teachers and the support of many community organizations, volunteers, and families.
As a parent to three current OUSD students and one recent graduate, I believe parents must have a voice in their children’s education. As your board member, I will welcome the voices of parents, students, and community members as we work together to ensure every OUSD student has access to a quality education in a safe, equitable, and innovative learning environment.
I will bring what I have learned as the co-founder of a successful business to the Orange Unified School Board. We built our business on the concepts of community, collaboration, and creativity.Investing in our local community yields countless benefits,collaborating with others leverages our strengths, and creativity is the ultimate problem solver. OUSD needs leadership committed to building community trust, collaborating without partisanship, and finding creative solutions in our ever-changing circumstances.
As a small-business owner, I know fiscal responsibility is crucial to the success of any organization. I will work to ensure our district funds are used in ways that directly contribute to the success of our students and that the budget reflects our community values.
As we work to permanently return our kids to the classroom, we must address their emotional and physical health, the lost learning and friendship opportunities, and the growing educational gaps that have been exacerbated by a global health crisis. As your board member, these concerns will inform the decisions I make for our children.
It’s more important than ever for the Orange Unified community to embody the word “unified.” I am committed to being a bridge-builder, bringing our community together to give our kids a brighter future.
It would be an honor to have your vote for our kids, our community,and the future of OUSD.
- www.carriefororangeunified.com
- Facebook: CarrieforOrangeUnified
- Instagram: CarrieforOrangeUnified
- Twitter: Carrie4OUSD
Filing records for all candidates can be found at the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
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.
Villa Park is part of Trustee Area 6 currently represented by Kathryn A Moffat (Term 2018-2022).
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
Villa Park Election News
- Villa Park Election Results
- How to Research Local Candidates for Election
- Villa Park Election Central – All local information, news and updates