Hot off the press; this came in yesterday afternoon.
We’re told that if Michael Parham, a Republican, isn’t elected to this seat, he won’t seek re-election to the IUSD board where he’s been a trustee since 2004. Parham has often been rumored to be a city council candidate but has never pulled papers for a city council race:
Irvine Unified School Board Member Michael Parham announced today that he is running for Orange County Board of Education in Trustee Area 3, to be voted on in the upcoming June Primary election.
“I am running for this office to prioritize the needs of children first and foremost,” said Parham. “I want to continue the work that I have done in the Irvine Unified School District as a member of the Orange County Board of Education.”
Trustee Parham earned his Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, an MBA from New York University, and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Both his work as a school board trustee and his experience running a local business has earned him a wide range of support from of a variety of local leaders in Orange County.
“With his experience running one of the most successful school districts in the state of California, Michael Parham is the perfect choice to serve on the Orange County Board of Education,” said retired OC Superintendent of Schools Bill Habermehl. “Michael Parham is the candidate that taxpayers, parents, teachers, and students can all get behind.”
Trustee Parham is currently serving as a school board representative to the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, Irvine Prevention Coalition and various corporate boards. He has been on the IUSD board for the past 12 years and has deftly navigated the district through several financial downturns. Parham has a record of keeping an eye on local taxpayer dollars while ensuring that student success rates continue to climb. The energy savings initiatives in Irvine, which Parham spearheaded, will save his district more than $20 million of General Fund money.
He lives in Irvine and raised his family in Orange County. He has a daughter in college, son in high school, and two younger children that will attend the local public schools.
There will be a fundraiser on Tuesday, March 8th from 4:00-6:00 PM at:
18101 Von Karman (Lakeshore Towers), 2nd Fl., Irvine, CA 92612 (Back Bay Room)
As a moderate liberal, I can attest Mike is a great bipartisan candidate. Common sense finally prevails.