Last night, I spoke at VUSD in my Juanamaria Dolphins shirt, as a Trustee Area 4 candidate and proud Dolphin momma who believes decisions about public school property demand scrutiny.
I addressed Resolution 26-22, authorizing the sale of the former Washington Elementary property at 96 MacMillan Avenue for housing development.
Where I Stand on Housing
I support housing on surplus district property, especially housing Ventura’s educators and classified employees can genuinely afford and, at minimum, affordable housing for our community.
Housing costs affect staff recruitment and retention, which families can remain in Ventura, enrollment and the state funding tied to it.
Read the Fine Print
But business taught me to distinguish between a transaction’s stated purpose and the obligations actually written into the agreement.
The District described this sale as helping address affordable housing and employee recruitment and retention. Yet the agreement requires no minimum number of affordable units. District employees receive a right of first refusal only if the developer chooses to include below-market-rate units.
That is not guaranteed workforce housing.
I also asked for the independent appraisal, net proceeds after transaction costs, and why an outright sale creates more long-term public value than a ground lease.
Public Land Is Finite
Public land is finite. These are once-in-a-generation decisions. Once property leaves public ownership, so does much of the District’s leverage. Public benefits must be specific, measurable and enforceable, not merely aspirations.
Disappointingly, the Board approved the MacMillan sale 3-2. I appreciated Trustee Sabrena Rodriguez explaining why community input and consistency with District values mattered to her vote.
**The Question Was Never Housing Versus No Housing**
This was never housing versus no housing. The question was whether a deal promoted as supporting educators actually guarantees that benefit.
My position is simple:
If workforce housing is the goal, put it in the contract.
As your Area 4 trustee, I will read the fine print, ask difficult questions and protect our public assets.
That’s literally the job.