I am incredibly proud and deeply grateful to have earned the endorsement of the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association (VESPA).
VESPA represents so many of the people who make our schools work every single day: paraeducators, instructional assistants, administrative and clerical professionals, custodial and maintenance teams, transportation, nutrition services, and other classified employees who support our students, families and educators.
They are the unsung heroes and an essential part of the backbone of Ventura Unified.
Their Voices Belong at the Table
As VUSD navigates school closures and consolidation, my priority is ensuring we do not simply move students from one campus to another. We must thoughtfully integrate school communities, understand their individual cultures and needs, and minimize disruption for students, families and staff. Our support professionals have invaluable firsthand knowledge, and their voices belong at the table.
Fiscal Responsibility
I am equally committed to fiscal responsibility and VUSD’s long-term sustainability. We need transparent budgeting, disciplined long-range planning and responsible stewardship of every dollar entrusted to our district.
Workforce Housing
And I will continue developing my workforce housing initiative because Ventura’s affordability crisis affects our entire educational workforce. Recruiting and retaining exceptional people becomes increasingly difficult when those serving our community cannot afford to live here.
My goal is to continue listening, gathering feedback and refining these proposals now so I am prepared to work on day one.
Listen before deciding. Understand before acting. Prepare before governing.
Thank You!
To the members and leadership of VESPA: thank you for the work you do when nobody is watching, and thank you for placing your trust in me.
You show up for Ventura’s children every day. I intend to show up for you.