Dr. Stefan Bean took the ceremonial oath of office at Wednesday’s Orange County Board of Education meeting, marking his formal introduction as the 12th superintendent of schools in the county’s 135-year history.
Surrounded by his four children, Dr. Bean was sworn in by longtime friend and sixth-grade teacher Donald Geisinger following his appointment by the board last month.
“He has met every challenge that he’s ever faced with great courage,” Geisinger said of Bean.
Orange County Board of Education trustees Jorge Valdes, Dr. Ken Williams and Tim Shaw were also sworn in for new four-year terms after winning their elections in March.
Valdes was given the oath by Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard, Williams by former State Senator Gloria Romero, and Shaw by his mother, Lowell Joint School District board member Karen Shaw.
Dr. Bean originally took his oath of office on June 18, the night of his appointment, in anticipation of his official start date of July 1. For the county superintendent, Wednesday’s oath was more ceremonial.
Election of officers
Additionally, the county board elected its officers for the 2024-25 term.
Williams, first elected to the board in 1996 to represent the third district, was named president for the next 12 months. Mari Barke, representing the second district, was elected vice president, and Valdes, from the first district, was appointed clerk.
The Orange County Board of Education, composed of five elected officials serving four-year terms, approves the Orange County Department of Education’s annual budget, approves property purchases for department programs, and handles expulsion and interdistrict attendance appeals.
The board also maintains awareness of school district operations and financial conditions, represents the county’s education community at various levels, and informs local communities about the department’s programs and achievements.
You can watch the full board meeting below.