I spoke before the Ventura County Office of Education as Chief Financial Officer of the Taxpayers and Business Alliance of Ventura County to challenge a rushed effort to change the County Superintendent of Schools from an elected position to an appointed one.
This would be one of the most consequential changes to educational governance in our county in generations. It should not advance without countywide public hearings, meaningful outreach and language access, the participation of every trustee, a clear explanation of the appointment process, and an independent fiscal analysis showing taxpayers what the proposal would cost.
Not Opposed to the Conversation
The Alliance is not opposed to an honest conversation about governance reform. We are opposed to transferring power away from the public before the public has been shown the problem, the alternatives, the costs, and evidence that the change would improve outcomes.
Democracy Working, Not Failing
For decades, county superintendent races often went uncontested. Now voters finally have the opportunity to participate in a genuinely competitive election and help determine the future of county education. That is not evidence that democracy has failed. It is evidence that democracy is finally working.
If greater accountability is the goal, the answer cannot be to eliminate direct accountability to voters. If greater public trust is the goal, the process cannot occur without the public.
What Responsible Restructuring Requires
As a CFO, business owner, former manager, and mother, I believe fundamental restructuring must begin with identifying the problem, studying the options, calculating the cost, and proving the proposed change will produce better outcomes.
Our children deserve thoughtful policymaking. Taxpayers deserve answers. Every community deserves a voice.
Pause the proposal. Conduct the outreach. Release the fiscal analysis. Explain the appointment structure. Let Ventura County be heard.