Meet Mari Barke
As a parent of students who attended Orange County schools, I believe every child deserves access to a high-quality education. I have dedicated my service to ensuring the focus remains on students, families, and our local communities—not on special interest groups.
I believe parents—not politicians or bureaucrats—should make educational decisions for their children.
Since joining the Board in July 2018, I have led efforts to:
Expand from 14 to 45 new public charter schools in Orange County, while supporting the growth of several existing charters—including bringing the largest charter school in the county under the Board’s direct authorization.
Move monthly Board meetings from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to improve transparency and allow greater community participation. We also now live-stream all meetings for those unable to attend in person.
Host forums to inform and engage our community, including events on the California Healthy Youth Act, school reopening, charter schools, Critical Race Theory, and school safety.
I am committed to prioritizing academic excellence in every school and ensuring that students are prepared for success after graduation—whether their path leads to college, career, or entrepreneurship. That’s why I strongly support expanding Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that equip students with real-world skills, industry certifications, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Recently, we resolved longstanding budget litigation with the County and State Superintendents dating back to 2019. This settlement affirms our commitment to working collaboratively on the department’s budget, ensures compliance with California Education Code, and reinforces the Board’s authority in approving and adopting budgets while clarifying the superintendent’s responsibilities.
My priority is simple: education in Orange County should begin with parental choice. If your local public school is not meeting your child’s needs, you should have the option to choose a different community public school or a public charter school. I will continue working to make sure every parent and every child has access to meaningful educational choices—delivered with excellence, innovation, and a focus on future success.
