News & Updates

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) School Attendance Review Board (SARB) has been recognized by the California Department of Education (CDE) as a 2026 Model School Attendance Review Board (Model SARB) program. This statewide recognition highlights districts that demonstrate exemplary practices in improving student attendance and reducing chronic absenteeism.

VUSD’s SARB is chaired by Vicky Yasenchok, whose leadership has helped guide the district’s collaborative and student-centered approach to supporting attendance.

The Model SARB Recognition Program identifies district and county programs across California that use proactive, supportive strategies to help students stay engaged in school. These programs emphasize early intervention, strong family partnerships, and coordinated support systems that address the underlying barriers that may impact student attendance.

“Being recognized as a Model SARB reflects the dedication of so many people across Ventura Unified,” said Vicky Yasenchok, Chairperson of the Ventura Unified SARB. “I have seen firsthand the meaningful impact a strong and responsive School Attendance Review Board can have on students and families, as early intervention, collaboration, and consistent follow-up help students facing significant challenges regain stability and achieve academic and emotional success. This recognition is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to Ventura Unified School District’s persistence and unwavering commitment to our students.”

The recognition also highlights Ventura Unified’s commitment to working closely with families to support student success.

“This recognition truly belongs to our school staff, students and their families, the School Attendance Review Board, and our Ventura Unified SARB Chairperson, Vicky Yasenchok,” said Maria Elizarraras, Director of Student Support Services. “Addressing attendance barriers requires collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment to student success. We are dedicated to fostering strong attendance while partnering closely with families to understand students’ challenges and provide the support they need to thrive.”

Consistent attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student achievement and long-term success.

“Patterns of positive attendance with the related benefits of achievement and socioemotional growth take root in the first years of school. We are grateful to our students and families who prioritize school attendance every day, and to our district staff for promoting environments that help students feel safe, seen, and engaged,” said Dr. Antonio Castro, Superintendent of Ventura Unified School District.

VUSD is one of 13 districts and county offices of education across California to receive the 2026 Model SARB designation. Model SARB programs are often asked to share their best practices with other districts across the state, helping expand effective attendance strategies that support student success.

The official recognition will be presented at the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance State Conference, taking place March 16–18, 2026, in Sacramento.

 

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.

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education has directed staff to begin a clear, evidence-based process to evaluate whether any school sites should be considered for closure as early as the 2027-2028 school year. As part of this effort, the District is forming a School Closures Advisory Committee to study enrollment trends, review criteria, analyze data, and provide a recommendation to the Board of Education.

This process is in its early stages. 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 closures, no school would close before the 2027–2028 school year.

For several years, VUSD closely monitored enrollment trends, watching to see if 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 under-utilized campuses requires resources that could otherwise be invested directly in classrooms, student programs, and learning opportunities. The District has a responsibility to review our internal processes and procedures to ensure public funds entrusted to the Ventura Unified School District are being used efficiently and thoughtfully, while remaining focused on student success.

The School Closures Advisory Committee will include teachers, staff, families, students, and community members from across the City. The committee will review a wide range of information, including district enrollment and school capacity data, facility utilization, financial impacts, housing and population trends, and demographic projections prepared by a professional demographer. All materials reviewed by the committee will be made publicly available on the District website.

“We understand that this process may bring a range of emotions for our students, staff, families, and community,” said Marieanne Quiroz, Public Information Officer for Ventura Unified School District. “We are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for community feedback as the process unfolds, sharing all of the information reviewed by the committee, and approaching this work with transparency, care, and compassion.”

The committee does not make final decisions. Its role is to review data and provide a recommendation. Any decision regarding school closures would ultimately be made by the Ventura Unified School District Board of Education at a public meeting.

Committee meetings will be held in accordance with the Brown Act, allowing the public to attend and provide comment. There will also be meaningful opportunities for staff, students, families, and community members to share feedback throughout the process.

VUSD is currently building the processes and protocols that will guide this work. Meeting dates, agendas, and updates will be posted on the District website and shared through the District’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Community members are encouraged to follow these platforms to stay informed as the process moves forward.  Community members are encouraged to:

·        Visit the District website and social media platforms for updates:

o   Website: www.venturausd.org/about/committees/school-closure-commitee

o   Facebook: www.facebook.com/Venturausd/

o   Instagram: www.instagram.com/schoolventura/

·        Read the monthly VUSD Connections Newsletter (families and staff)

·        Attend School Closures Committee meetings

·        Share questions or feedback by emailing VUSDSchoolsCommittee@venturausd.org

The Ventura Unified School District appreciates the community’s partnership and engagement as this thoughtful, data-driven, and community-centered process begins