News & Updates

Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is inviting families, students, staff, and community members to participate in its annual Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey, an important tool used to help guide district priorities for the upcoming school year.

The LCAP Survey provides an opportunity for community members, including those without students currently enrolled in VUSD, to share feedback on how limited funding should be allocated and which programs, services, and supports should be prioritized to best serve students.

“Community input plays a critical role in shaping our planning and decision-making,” said Marieanne Quiroz, Director of Communications and Public Information Officer for Ventura Unified School District. “The feedback we receive helps inform how we focus our resources to best meet student needs.”

Responses to the survey will be used to inform the District’s Local Control Accountability Plan, which outlines goals, actions, and expenditures aligned with student achievement, school climate, and family and community engagement.

The survey is open now and takes only a few minutes to complete.

All students, families, staff and local City of Ventura community members are encouraged to participate by visiting:https://bit.ly/lcap2026 

For more information about the LCAP process, visit the Ventura Unified School District website.

EP Foster Elementary School is expanding its support for families with the launch of a new monthly Food Pantry, created specifically to serve the EP Foster school community. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with Food Share of Ventura County and the school’s OCEAN Afterschool Program.

The Food Pantry will provide EP Foster families with access to nutritious dry goods at no cost. Each participating household will receive one full bag of food, generously donated by Food Share of Ventura County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and supporting local communities.

Food distribution will occur monthly. EP Foster families who are interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the OCEAN Afterschool Program for additional information.

“For the students enrolled here at EP Foster and our OCEAN Afterschool Program, enrichment doesn’t end at school,” said Daniel Flores, Site Director of the EP Foster OCEAN Afterschool Program. “We want to enrich students and families at home as well with good, healthy food. We are so excited to partner with Food Share to bring this important resource to our families.”

EP Foster Principal Vanessa Contreras emphasized the importance of the program’s community impact.

“Our school is more than a place of learning—it is a community,” Contreras said. “The launch of this monthly food pantry reflects our deep commitment to caring for our families and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive. We are incredibly grateful to Food Share of Ventura County for partnering with us to support the health and well-being of our EP Foster families.”

OCEAN Afterschool programs are designed to support students beyond the school day by strengthening academic growth, promoting healthy lifestyles, and providing enriching experiences that connect school and home.

“OCEAN Afterschool serves as a bridge between school and home to support our students’ academic growth and healthy lifestyles,” said Dr. Lorelle Dawes, Director of Expanded Learning. “We are pleased that this partnership with Food Share will support students and families in these efforts.”

Similar food support programs have also been launched at other schools across the district, reflecting a shared commitment to ensuring students and families have access to essential resources.

Families in need of food support for their student or household are encouraged to reach out to their school site or contact the district’s Student Services Department at 805-641-5000, where staff can help connect families with available resources.

This new Food Pantry reflects the ongoing commitment of Ventura Unified School District, EP Foster Elementary School, and OCEAN Afterschool to support students and families beyond the classroom by addressing essential needs that contribute to student success and overall well-being.

At a Special Meeting held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education approved the members of the School Closures Advisory Committee, marking an important next step in the District’s data-based and community-centered process to evaluate whether any school sites should be considered for closure as early as the 2027–2028 school year.

The School Closures Advisory Committee was formed to study enrollment trends, review established criteria, analyze relevant data, and ultimately provide a recommendation to the Board of Education. The committee does not make final decisions. Any decision regarding school closures would be made by the Board at a public meeting.

Committee members were selected based on staff recommendations and represent a broad range of perspectives, including local homeowners and renters, current VUSD high school students, parents and guardians, certificated and classified staff, business owners, school site administrators, and individuals with relevant professional expertise. Members reflect diverse backgrounds, experiences, and geographic areas across the City of Ventura.

School Closures Advisory Committee Members:
Stephanie Caldwell, Sara Cameron, Maruja Clensay, Kevin Corse, Jorge DeLeon, Evaristo Escoto, Oscar Gomez, Kathryn Heller, Kevin Herrera, Kristin Ippolito, Melanie Lindsey, Sandy Lomeli Harrison, Peggy Maryanski, Sarah McLaughlin (VUEA President), Kathlyn Mundo-Graffa, Jeanette Park, Carol Peek (VESPA President), Andrea Rodriguez, Sydney Traub, Emmanuel Velazquez, Annette Walters, Monica West, Stacey Whitaker

Alternates:
Antonia Badone, Amy Coccia, Monique Cybulski, Jenny Makosky, Candace Schmidt

The School Closures Advisory Committee is expected to begin meeting in March 2026, meet monthly, and bring a recommendation to the Board by October 2026. Even if the Board were to approve any school closures, no school would close before the 2027–2028 school year.

For several years, VUSD has closely monitored enrollment trends to see whether post-COVID declines might stabilize. However, enrollment continues to decline by approximately 300 students per year. Regional data also shows sustained decreases in birth rates, fewer families moving into the area due to the high cost of living, and an aging population. Together, these trends require the District to carefully assess how many school sites are needed to best serve current and future students.

Many VUSD schools are operating below their intended capacity. Maintaining underutilized campuses requires resources that could otherwise be invested directly in classrooms, student programs, and learning opportunities. As stewards of public funds, the District has a responsibility to thoughtfully review how resources are allocated while remaining focused on student success.

All committee meetings will be conducted in accordance with the Brown Act. Meetings will be open to the public, and materials reviewed by the committee will be posted on the District website. There will be meaningful opportunities for staff, students, families, and community members to share questions and feedback throughout the process.

“Our community’s trust matters, especially during conversations like this,” said Marieanne Quiroz, Director of Communications and Public Information Officer for Ventura Unified School District. “We are committed to openness, making information accessible, and ensuring our students, families, and staff understand how this process is unfolding.”

Families and community members are encouraged to learn more about the purpose of the School Closures Advisory Committee and how the committee will approach its work by watching Budget Bites, Episode 4, where Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro outlines the process. Additional information, meeting updates, and resources are available on the School Closures Advisory Committee webpage.

Community members are encouraged to:
• Visit the School Closures Advisory Committee webpage: www.venturausd.org/about/committees/school-closure-commitee
• Follow VUSD on Facebook and Instagram for updates
• Read updates in the monthly VUSD Connections Newsletter
• Attend School Closures Advisory Committee meetings
• Share questions or feedback by emailing VUSDSchoolsCommittee@venturausd.org

The Ventura Unified School District appreciates the community’s partnership as this thoughtful, data-driven, and transparent process continues.