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Lisa Sparks, OC Board of Education candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 6, 2026

Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.

Name: Lisa Sparks

Current job title: Chapman Professor/ OCBE Trustee

Age: 59

Incumbent: Yes

Other political positions held: NA

City where you reside: Newport Beach

Campaign website or social media: sparksforschools.com

What are the top two needs you see for the Board of Education to address, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

First, I see our role as multi-faceted, supporting students, parents and teachers. Our policies created through our resolutions are student centered, to make sure that students get the best education that sets them up for success. Second, along with being a policy board, we have the responsibility for the Orange County Department of Education budget, and administer over continuation schools directly. One of our most important responsibilities is reviewing and making decisions on public charter school applications. We also make informed decisions on appeals related to inter-district transfers for students.

The OC Board of Education is tasked with considering charter school application appeals. What are the conditions you think should be considered before the board says yes to a charter school? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Academic excellence, fiscal viability for success, strong parent and teacher commitment to working together to improve student learning outcomes, as well as safety and security for students to be able to focus on learning and academic growth that will pave the way for future success in their next phase of life whether it is the workforce or higher education.

The OC Board of Education oversees the education of some of the county’s most vulnerable populations, acting as the “district” for some special education and alternative programs. Are there new initiatives or programs you think can serve those students? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

Many new initiatives are being explored in terms of how to responsibly integrate AI into the curriculum, as well as broad education on more career-oriented technical fields that will prepare students for viable employment and life success.

Describe your education philosophy in 10 words or less.

Meet students where they are and lift them up to reach learning outcomes!

What experiences and priorities do you bring to the table for this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that make you the person for this job? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)

For the past eight years as your OCBE Trustee, I have fought for students and parental rights to ensure families are fully informed about curricular decisions and safety protocols that impact student learning outcomes both in and out of the classroom.

I am a mother of three children educated across the Orange County public school system, a nationally recognized scholar teacher, and the inaugural dean who built Chapman University’s School of Communication with faculty positions nationally and internationally at George Mason University, University of Texas-San Antonio, VU Amsterdam, University of Lugano, Switzerland and have given invited lectures and research presentations in Europe, Asia, Central America and beyond.

My experience leading a comprehensive college at Chapman University prepared me to guide the Orange County Department of Education by providing oversight for balanced budgets, strengthening fiscal accountability, and increasing curricular excellence.

I strongly support our public education system — including both community and public charter schools—by advocating for efficient policies, responsible fiscal decisions, and putting resources directly into classrooms.

As community members, our duty is to teach children to think critically, read, write, and analyze. Parents and students are often stressed and frustrated with their K–12 experiences, and these challenges must be addressed with thoughtful, systematic solutions.

Orange County Register

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Lisa Sparks, OC Board of Education candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

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