The leadership of the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) was formalized Wednesday as Dr. Stefan Bean took the oath to continue as county superintendent and trustees selected the board's officers for the coming year.
The ceremony, held at OCDE’s Costa Mesa campus, included the swearing-in of trustees Mari Barke and Dr. Lisa Sparks and marked the official start of the board’s organizational business following June’s elections.
What changed and what it means for Orange residents
OCDE oversees programs that serve some of the county’s most vulnerable students and provides services to the county’s 28 school districts. The reaffirmation of Bean and two trustees preserves continuity in policies and priorities that affect special education, alternative education, countywide services and oversight of certain charter and student appeals.
The board immediately moved from the oath of office to select its leadership for the year. The newly elected officers will set meeting agendas and play key roles in representing county education interests locally and at state and national levels.
"Bean’s four children administered his oath."
Officials and roles
The board elected the following trustees to leadership roles for the coming year:
- Tim Shaw — president
- Jorge Valdes — vice president
- Dr. Ken Williams — clerk
The Orange County Board of Education is composed of five members who serve four-year terms. The board is responsible for approving OCDE’s annual budget, hearing certain appeals related to students and charter schools, and advocating for county schools.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| County superintendent | Dr. Stefan Bean |
| Trustee (Area 2) | Mari Barke |
| Trustee (Area 5) | Dr. Lisa Sparks |
| Board president | Tim Shaw |
| Board vice president | Jorge Valdes |
| Board clerk | Dr. Ken Williams |
Background and next steps
Bean, first appointed to the superintendent post in 2024, ran unopposed in the June election and remains at the helm of OCDE. Trustee Mari Barke was reelected without opposition; Dr. Lisa Sparks retained her seat after defeating a challenger in June.
Residents seeking more information on the board’s schedule, agendas or the OCDE’s programs can consult the Orange County Board of Education website for upcoming meeting dates and documents related to budget and appeals.
Actions by this board can affect classroom programs, countywide services and the handling of charter and student appeals that touch districts serving Orange residents.
