Three for County Education

The County Board of Education is not, as the title might imply, an umbrella organization to which all schools and school districts within the region report. But the board does provide an important platform for public education across the county.

For that reason, it has become a focal point both for those who believe in public education and want it to do better, and for those who are unhappy with its performance and may even want to replace it with something else. This year, the office of county superintendent of schools is up for election, as are trustee seats on the five-member board in Areas 2 and 5, which correspond geographically to county supervisorial districts by the same numbers.

The Orange County Department of Education is largely in the business of providing support services. It also runs special schools for alternative and correctional education, serves as a liaison between school districts and the state, local and federal governments, works with parents, businesses and community leaders and responds to special needs.

This is an arena not for those promoting special agendas, but for commitment to the nuts and bolts work of education--and often getting services to those who are least educable or privileged. Accordingly, the department is best served by committed and non-ideological leadership from officials who understand and support the special mission of the board. This is not a place for airing complaints with public education nor is it to be regarded as a launching pad for higher political ambitions. Here are our recommendations following interviews with the candidates and a review of the record:

County Superintendent of Schools

In two previous terms, incumbent John F. Dean has satisfactorily discharged the duties of his post and gone beyond. He essentially has carved out a role as the county’s leading spokesman for public education and its interests. He has done this enthusiastically during a time when public education increasingly has come under fire, when immigration has raised a host of new educational concerns, and when the county’s schools have struggled for their fair share of resources.

In performing its special mission, the department has worked to increase partnerships with business and to curb the dropout rate through its alternative programs. Challenger Darrell Opp, seeking to move up within the department, poses a stronger challenge this year than last election, but Dean clearly merits another term.

County Board of Education

Incumbents Sheila Meyers in Trustee Area 2 and Elizabeth Dorn Parker in Trustee Area 5 both have strong grasps of the mission. Each has worked with the superintendent to reduce the dropout rate, to increase spending and to manage the budget. Both are strong advocates for public education and for the special work of the board. They merit reelection.