The upcoming November elections will give voters in Irvine the opportunity to select candidates for newly zoned Trustee Areas within the Irvine Unified Board of Education.

Voters should note that this will be the first election in Trustee Area 3 and Trustee Area 5 since IUSD transitioned to a “by-trustee area” election process from an at-large voting system. 

The transition occurred in June 2018, when the Orange County Committee on School District Organization approved the by-trustee area election process, after the IUSD board’s extensive three month review process, which involved six versions of new colored-coded trustee area maps. 

The board decided to adopt the Purple IV map, which can be found here.

Voters will need to fill two seats on the Irvine Unified Board of Education — one in Trustee Area 3 and one in Trustee Area 5. Trustee Area 1 incumbent and IUSD Board of Education President Lauren Brooks will automatically serve her second term due to a lack of competition.

For the first time, voters will need to select a candidate to represent Trustee Area 3, and will make the choice between four candidates. The race in Trustee Area 5 will be something for Irvine voters to keep an eye on as Irvine pediatrician Demetra Arvanitidis will look to defeat current Trustee Area 5 incumbent Paul Bokota.  

Here’s a look at the Trustee Area 3 and Trustee Area 5 candidate’s statements for those who have filed them with the Orange County Registrar Of Voters. 

Trustee Area 3

Douglas Euper

I am first and foremost a father of two boys who have attended school in the IUSD for over 10 years. I am a teacher with over 20 years experience in the classroom teaching Economics, U.S. History, Civics, and World History. I have also been a youth baseball coach in Irvine for over 10 years. Events of this past year have motivated me to stand up and try to help my community by bringing my experience and perspective to the School Board. I feel the decision by the IUSD to take the grades of the students away this past spring and force them to accept a credit/no credit model was a disaster that was not well thought out and did great harm to our kids. This decision also undercut our teachers who should be trusted to make the decision of how to assess their students, especially during these difficult times. I am running to advocate for our kids and for our teachers, on this and the many other issues that come before our school board and Superintendent. Our students and teachers deserve better.

Bethany Huang

As a graduate from Canyon View Elementary, Sierra Vista, and Northwood High, I have experienced first-hand how the IUSD curriculum and board policy have impacted students and their families. It is time for me to give back to and improve the school district that has prepared me for my future career! 

As an intern for a State Senator for 2 years, I’ve worked with district representatives and other state legislators on various issues. I have specifically worked on promoting transparency and parent involvement in Irvine sex education. I value parental rights as much as faculty opinion and am passionate about representing both families and their teachers. 

For far too long, Irvine students and parents have not been represented when deciding school curriculum, safety and even funding. If elected I will ensure and promote policy that: 

  • Allows honest and transparent communication between the board and parents about curriculum. 
  • Responds to parental concerns about child health and safety. 
  • Allocates funds to support teachers and promote student growth 
  • Fosters student and teacher creativity in the visual and performing arts. 

Irvine education needs change, and to serve as your board member would be an honor. We need young, innovative leaders. I appreciate your vote.

Sidney Wu

I attended Orange County public schools, graduating from UC Irvine. My wife, Annie, and I bought our first home in Irvine, running our family business, raising our two children here, and sending them to Irvine Unified School District schools. 

An active volunteer, I’m dedicated to strengthening Irvine and our public schools. I’ve served our community as: 

  • Member, Irvine Unified School District Finance Committee 
  • President, Vista Verde K-8 Foundation 
  • President, South Irvine Dolphins, Irvine Swim League 
  • Irvine City Commissioner 

My grandfather was a principal, my mother was a teacher, and my parents were immigrants. A strong believer in education at all levels, I earned my MBA, and I currently administer a UC Irvine scholarship. 

I’m not a politician, and I’ve never run for elected office. I’m a concerned citizen and parent who wants to give back to our Irvine public schools. 

As your Irvine Unified School District Trustee, I will work to: 

  • Preserve our high academic standards 
  • Maintain and enhance our world-class schools 
  • Protect the health and safety of our students 
  • Retain and attract top teachers 
  • Ensure our taxpayer dollars go directly to the classroom, not administration 

My service and experience have earned me endorsements from: 

  • Irvine Unified School District President Betty Carroll 
  • Orange County Supervisor/Former Irvine Mayor Don Wagner 
  • Irvine Vice Mayor Mike Carroll 
  • Irvine Councilmember Anthony Kuo 

Cyril Yu 

I am your neighbor, an involved dad, long-time Irvine resident, and deputy district attorney in Orange County. I was born in California and attended public schools. I graduated from UC Berkeley, then earned my JD from UC Hastings College of Law. 

My daughters attend Irvine public schools. I have served on the Irvine Unified School District’s Finance Committee and the Irvine Green Ribbon Environmental Committee. 

I understand the benefits of our excellent public-school system and recognize more hard work is needed to ensure continuing improvement. 

These challenging times have depleted the school district’s funds with the added challenge of reopening schools safely. 

I want to: 

  • Partner with local health authorities, teachers, classified staff, and district leaders to ensure all children and staff are safe; 
  • Bring more funding to Irvine schools; 
  • Preserve academic excellence; 
  • Enhance STEM programs, special education, athletics, integrated ethnic studies, and arts and music; and 
  • Encourage parents, teachers, and classified employees to add their voices to the decision-making process. 

My parents and teachers made it possible for me to reach my potential. I want to ensure all Irvine children have the means to reach their potential. 

I am proud to be endorsed by: 

  • Irvine Unified School District Trustee, Paul Bokota 
  • Irvine Unified School District Trustee, Lauren Brooks 
  • Irvine Unified School District Trustee, Sharon Wallin 
  • Irvine Unified School District Trustee, Ira Glasky 
  • Irvine Mayor, Beth Krom (Ret.)

Trustee Area 5

Paul Bakota (Incumbent)

As a trustee on the Irvine School Board I’ve always put students, teachers and parents first. My top priority is to continue improving the educational quality of our world-class schools, while keeping everyone safe. These goals require experienced board members. 

During my terms on the school board, IUSD has: 

  • Continued as one of the top-performing academic school districts in the state/nation with numerous academic and performing arts awards. 
  • Invested approximately $14 million in safety/security, including investments in hundreds of radios, cameras, access points and emergency preparedness. 
  • Allocated over $15 million towards mental health, including increased mental wellness professionals at all levels. 
  • Built four new world-class schools and modernized many, including Northwood High, Irvine High, Brywood, College Park and Greentree. 
  • Helped ensure responsible spending and accountability of taxpayer dollars. 

I hold a B.A. from Harvard, magna cum laude, and a J.D., magna cum laude. My wife, Wendy, and I have lived in Irvine for 22 years. Our three children have all attended IUSD schools. 

I’ve served IUSD for over 15 years as a: 

  • IUSD Finance Committee member
  • PTA President
  • School Site Council member
  • Irvine Public Schools Foundation Legacy Partner 

I am honored to be endorsed by the Irvine Teachers Association, numerous current/former IUSD Board Members, parents and business leaders. 

Demetra Arvanitidis

I am a wife, mom of three children, and pediatrician with training in public health. 

We live in unprecedented times … circumstances that have changed the way we learn, live, work, and socialize not just locally but globally in just a few months. It’s this unpredictability which leads to two main stressors, panic and fear, which in turn cause ill effects on our health and the safety of our community. 

My priority is to have a physical plan in place that ensures the health and safety of our staff and children along with an educational plan that ensures that kids continue to receive a high standard education in every circumstance. 

I believe that with my pediatric medical and public health background, I will add value to discussions and policy-making to put the health and safety of our staff and students first. The remedy for panic, fear and stress is a good dose of planning and preparedness. 

My proactive, preventative health and educational plan: 

  • Reducing regular class size 
  • Regular compliance training of teachers/staff/students in preparedness protocols 
  • High standard, user-friendly online curriculum with adequate teacher/parent support 
  • Onsite school security/nurse checks 
  • Local control and parental choice 

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