Ventura Unified and the unions representing our educators and school staff have officially entered impasse negotiations.
And understandably, there are a lot of questions right now throughout our community.
Questions from parents. Questions from educators. Questions from students. Questions from classified staff. Questions about budgets, healthcare costs, staffing, declining enrollment, and what the future of our public schools looks like here in Ventura.
That is why community engagement matters right now more than ever.
Why Unions Matter
Unions are important to our community and those they serve: to protect jobs, secure living wages, and enhance the welfare of its members. I wanted to help amplify an important opportunity for the public to hear directly from the people involved in this process.
On Tuesday, May 12th at 5 PM, VUEA and VESPA, the unions representing our educators and classified school staff members, hosted a public town hall at Buena High School to discuss the current state of negotiations, what impasse means, what issues remain unresolved, and what comes next in the process.
What Unites Us
No matter where you stand, this should unite all of us:
We all want strong public schools. We all want students to succeed. We all want Ventura to remain a community where educators and working families can thrive.
These conversations are complicated. They involve real financial pressures, real community concerns, and real impacts on the people who educate and support Ventura’s children every single day.
But strong communities are built through transparency, communication, and people willing to stay engaged, especially during difficult moments.
Show Up
So if you care about the future of public education in Ventura: show up. Listen. Ask questions. Stay informed.
Because the future of our schools belongs to all of us.