Faith groups and parents ask OCBE for prompt guidance after 'Mahmood v. Taylor' ruling; OCDE says it has already circulated opt‑out templates

Multiple public commenters on Aug. 6 asked the Orange County Board of Education to provide clear, countywide implementation guidance following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling they identified as Mahmood v. Taylor and to circulate an opt‑out template for parents. Brenda Lebsack, speaking for an Interfaith Statewide Coalition and also as a local school board member, said the decision affirmed parents’ rights to opt children out of instructional content that conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs. She asked OCDE to publish clear directions for local superintendents and school boards and to distribute an opt‑out letter template that legal advocates had prepared. Another commenter, Linda (last name not provided), also urged the board to seek legal review and additional documentation for local use. OCDE staff reported to the trustees that the department had already circulated a memo to every superintendent with recommendations for implementation and had followed up with communications staff to produce guidance materials. Staff said they drafted opt‑out and notification language and were fielding implementation questions from several districts; they also said the county office would post related materials and could make templates available for districts to use. Trustees discussed making guidance available on OCDE’s website and asked staff to report back and facilitate distribution to districts. No formal board action was required; the items were handled as public comment and staff update.