Meet The Livermore School Board Candidate: Stephen Orgain

LIVERMORE, CA — Patch reached out to all candidates for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees Areas 2, 3, and 5 with questions we feel San Ramon voters want to know. This is the first LVJUSD Board election with districts.

We reprinted their answers verbatim.

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Below, read the responses of Stephen Orgain, a manufacturing executive running to represent Area 2.

What is your educational background?

I graduated High School here in the Tri Valley. I attended college in Chico Ca and opted to begin my career early in lieu of incurring more costs in my early 20's.

What is your professional background?

I've worked in Manufacturing for the past 20 years. I quickly moved into management roles as a youth and parlayed my different roles into overseeing 4 facilities in California for a Publicly traded company. Under my purview were over $150m in Assets and a team responsible for the nearly 1,000 employees across my sites. I now Manage all Sales and Service for 6 US States and Western Canada for a division of the world's largest automotive manufacturer.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

No. I have never had a significant interest in public office until recently.

What are the top three issues facing LVJUSD right now?

Fist. Our budget; previous boards have done their best as far as I can tell, but we find ourselves in a $14m dollar shortfall yet again. Second. Community Trust; We see Private Schools full to the brim, while local schools have declining enrollment. Its clear the district has lost the faith of the local populace. Third. Child Safety; Students need to feel safe attending our schools and Parents need to feel safe sending their children into the care of our educators and staff.

What is one specific action you would prioritize during your first year in office?

Transparency. I've only been looking into this role under a microscope for a short while since deciding to run. It's evident that closed door sessions are leading to votes with limited transparency to the public. Approving budgets and denying 1 time funding, or discussing closing schools or cutting staff while giving raises to others doesn't fly with the public if all cards are on the table. The people of Livermore have a right to know what cuts are required when money moves.

LVJUSD approved nearly $15 million in ongoing budget reductions for 2026–27. Which reductions do you support, oppose or hope eventually to restore, and how would you pay for any restoration?

This is a tough one, but its specifically why I'm running. Watching the previous board pat itself on the back while cutting critically important roles for Special Needs and children requiring developmental assistance is appalling. Reckless spending with a "fingers crossed" funding mentality lead the district to its shortfall. I intend to work with the Teachers Union to develop a criteria for Teachers and their success. We need celebrate our Teachers and pay them a wage consistent with the cost of living in their community. We also need to lift up those who are performing, and supply aid to those who are falling behind. Like any role in any business, if you're not cutting it, its time to move on. That shouldn't be controversial, the stakes are too high.

This is LVJUSD's first election using trustee areas. What unmet need do you see in your trustee area, and how would you advocate for it while still governing on behalf of the entire district?

The Trustee Area concept makes sense to me, I'm being elected to be the voice of my constituency. It's something I see all across the US that seems to be missing, board members who have agendas and ideals and ignore the will of the people they're supposed to represent. I intend to be available. I'm committed to genuinely listening to the concerns of my Area neighbors and working with them to see their concerns addressed. That being said, I'm 1 of 5 votes... As a whole, relentless collaboration will be required within the board itself.

Why do you feel you're a better candidate than your opponents?

First and foremost I'm a Father. The measure of my success is right in front of me and I will fight for all Children as feverously as I will for my own. Most importantly, I'm running for this office because my community asked me to, I have no hidden motives or agendas. At no point will you see me shy away from a truthful answer in order to persuade voters just to turn around and impose my ideology later. I challenge my opponents to do to the same. I expect to be held accountable because I anticipate holding others to that same measure.