Stanton

Candidate for Anaheim Union High School District 

Area 3

Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton

Campaign Website: None Found

Social Media: 

Magcalas has a public Instagram page, but his last post was in 2016: 

Magcalas also has a private Instagram page: 

Magcalas’s Facebook – last post in 2014: 

News:

• In 2019, “Jose Paolo Magcalas, an ethnic studies and United States history teacher at Loara High School, was elected to lead the [Anaheim] school district’s board.

• A blog post from a far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ source critical of Magcalas, effectively calling him a Marxist and “woke activist”:

• Jose did not fill out the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire. 

Endorsements: 

• The liberal-leaning Orange Juice Blog endorses him and speaks of him this way:

“Trustee Area 3: Jose Paolo Magcalas (professor, current Elementary School Board member) finally taking on: Katherine Smith (incumbent trustee; ah, the stories I could tell about this ancient Anaheim matron. Some good, some bad. But she has been on the board long enough.)

• ”The anti-LGBTQ, far-right Nancy’s Picks endorsed his opponent, Katherine Smith:

• Magcalas is not only endorsed by the Orange County Democrats, there’s also a link to his fundraising page on the OC Democrats’ page: 

Candidate for Anaheim Union High School District 

Area 3

Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton

Smith doesn’t appear to have a campaign website. 

Socials: 

Instagram

Facebook

These both are private and/or relatively empty.

Smith has served on the board of trustees of the AUHSD since 1996. 

The OC Register asked Smith a few questions.  Among those, they asked: “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?”

Smith answered: “Well, I think that that law is well thought out. We have different issues with our youth today. It’s a different world than when I grew up, and the issues that are very important for our youth today should be handled in an ethical manner.”

Her opponent, Jose, Paolo Magcalas, didn’t answer the OC Register’s questionnaire.

Endorsements: 

• She’s endorsed by the conservative-leaning Nancy’s Picks:

“Recommendation: Area 3: KATHERINE H. SMITH (“Declined to State” party)

Comments: Previously long time Republican (recently DTS) and incumbent board member that has done a good job, like conceiving  and founding highly acclaimed Oxford Academy.”

***We would note that Nancy’s Picks does seem to have a habit of choosing the candidate that is furthest from a Democrat as possible, even when no other information is available. 

Candidate for Anaheim Union High School District 

Area 4

Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton

Henry does not seem to have a campaign website. 

Socials: 

None found

Henry did not respond to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire. 

• The liberal-leaning Orange Juice Blog comments on Charoen here, saying: “Trustee Area 4: Henry Charoen (Centralia school board member – another trying to move on up to AUHSD. Gustavo tells us he used to be a La Palma Mayor so WEIGH THAT HEAVILY!)”

Endorsements: 

• Reform CA (conservative, anti-LGBTQ)

• The conservative-leaning Nancy’s Picks endorses his opponent, O’Neal: “Area 4: BRIAN O'NEAL (AI) Comments: Incumbent AI (American Independent-good platform) party, BRIAN O'NEAL is being challenged by HENRY CHAROEN, an unknown Republican, who did not even file a Ballot Statement.”

Candidate for Anaheim Union High School District 

Area 4

Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton

Brian is registered as an American Independent, which is a far-right political party. However, it’s fairly common for people who mean to register as “No Party Preference” to mistakenly register as “American Independent”, thinking it’s the same thing.  We can’t be sure if that’s the case for Brian or not. 

O’Neal has been a trustee of the AUHSD since 2002. His bio includes, “His community volunteer activities include being a founding director and current president of the Scholarship Foundation of John F. Kennedy High School; participation as a Boy Scout adult leader for 33 years and still active; formerly serving on the Board of Youth 20/20; and acting as Neighborhood Watch Block captain for 35 years”. 

Brian declined to respond to the OC Register’s candidate questionnaire. 

Socials: None Found

Endorsements: 

Nancy’s Picks (far-right local ballot guide)

Candidate for Anaheim Union High School District 

Area 5 (short term)

Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton

Hoshi lists his campaign website as https://www.hoshi4auhsd.wixsite.com/, but we were unable to open it. 

Hoshi has been a “choral music teacher, Activities Director, and Principal” according to his LinkedIn.

Socials: 

Instagram:

Linktree: 

Facebook: 

On Instagram, Hoshi follows: 

• OC Reforma (Non-Profit seeking to improve library services for Spanish-speaking communities)

• OC Employees Assocation

• Jesse Watters (Trump circle commentator, anti-LGBTQ+ views)

• Families Together OC (local healthcare nonprofit)

• California Teachers Association

***The large majority of accounts Hoshi follows are related to AUHSD.  With the exception of Jesse Watters, he doesn’t seem to follow any openly political accounts. 

Endorsements:

None Found

The OC Register asked Hoshi a few questions.  Among those, they asked, “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)”

Ron replied, “Parents play a vital role as partners with the school district in supporting their children. Unfortunately, not all students feel comfortable confiding in their parents for various reasons. Schools can serve as a safe and supportive environment where students can build the confidence and readiness to involve their parents in important conversations. This group of students often faces higher rates of suicidal ideation and mental health challenges. It is essential for our schools to help bridge the gap for these students, providing support and guiding them toward connecting with their parents during this critical time in their lives.”

Candidate for Anaheim Union High School District 

Area 5 (short term)

Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton

Blount is currently Trustee of the North Orange County Community College District.

Blount does not have any campaign website or social media that we were able to locate. 

Endorsements: 

• OC Dems

The OC Register asked Steve a few questions.  Among those, they asked,  “California has a new law, set to go into effect in 2025, that prohibits districts from enforcing what’s been called parental notification policies, rules for school employees to contact parents if their child may be changing their gender identity. What do you see as the role of parents in education? Is there a limitation?“

Blount gave this answer: “This involves two opposing inalienable rights: that parents should have complete control and involvement in the lives of the children and the right of children to be what they truly believe they are. In the same vein, if a parent is truly, completely and totally involved in their children’s lives and well-being, they will know already. The task is to make sure the students don’t fear the reaction of the parents and that students should believe that their parents love them completely and unconditionally.”