Last night, I stood before the Ventura Unified School Board not just as a candidate for Trustee in Area 4, but as someone who believes deeply in a simple promise:
Strong Schools. Safe Kids.
Because that promise means something. And right now, it is being tested.
The Silence After the Ruling
Earlier this month, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling that dramatically changed the legal landscape for gender-diverse students across the country. Overnight, protections that previously prevented schools from outing students without their consent were stripped away.
And since that moment, there has been silence.
No policy discussion. No framework for educators. No guidance for counselors, teachers, or administrators who may suddenly find themselves navigating one of the most sensitive situations a student can face.
What Is at Stake
Meanwhile, we all know what is at stake.
When LGBTQ+ students are forced out before they are ready, the consequences can be devastating. We are talking about real risks: homelessness, self-harm, isolation, and in the worst cases, suicide.
Students at the Center
Our district is facing enormous challenges right now: budget deficits, declining enrollment, and difficult decisions about schools and staffing. And I truly respect how hard those conversations are.
But at the beginning of every board meeting we say the same thing: students must remain at the center of every decision we make.
If that is true, and if we really believe it, then we cannot ignore the safety and dignity of some of our most vulnerable students.
What I Asked the Board to Do
Tonight I asked the board to act. To agendize a policy. To provide clear guidance for educators. And to ensure that student safety remains the priority in every situation.
Because protecting students cannot wait for the next election cycle. And it certainly cannot wait until a crisis forces the conversation.
Every child who walks into a Ventura classroom deserves to know the adults in that building will protect them, respect them, and treat them with dignity.
That is what Strong Schools and Safe Kids means to me.
And that is exactly the kind of leadership I intend to bring to this district.