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This paper argues that political conflict over educational policy at the local level is cultural in its origins and represents a deep division in U.S. society about the values that should be taught in the public schools. The research reported in the paper focused on a single case study of a recall election in the Orange Unified School District (California) that occurred in June 2001. The paper states that the recall was successful in removing a conservative majority from the Board of Trustees. It explains that the conservatives had originally captured a majority in 1993 and set the policy agenda in the district for eight years. The research shows how a successful coalition to remove the Board was mobilized and how the election outcome resulted in a change in educational policy. The paper compares the single case study to other recall elections in Orange and San Diego counties. The research shows that much of the conflict was about the very legitimacy of public education. Includes one figure and six notes. (Author/BT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be mad