With incumbent John Bidell deciding to not seek re-election to the Orange County Board of Education, voters in District 4 have their pick of several candidates to fill the open seat. Anaheim Councilman Jordan Brandman, youth counselor Vicki Calhoun, former teacher Paulette Chaffee and La Habra councilman Tim Shaw are the candidates seeking election.
On balance, we believe that voters in the district should elect Tim Shaw to the seat.
Shaw’s priorities are where they should be: putting the educational opportunities and outcomes of students first, whether that’s in a charter school or a traditional public school.
While Shaw himself sends his kids to regular public schools, he recognizes that for many parents, charter schools that do things a bit differently should be encouraged to give parents and students options and opportunities traditional public schools might not provide.
In contrast, Paulette Chaffee, a member of the California Teachers Association, wants to discourage charter schools and put a greater focus on traditional public schools.
In virtually everything in life, people aren’t confined to one choice. Students, parents and teachers shouldn’t have their options restricted just because a few bureaucrats or politicians think they know what’s best. Shaw gets this.
Accordingly, we endorse Tim Shaw for OCBE District 4.