Public commenters urge Ventura Unified to reverse counseling, paraeducator and program cuts

Dozens of students, educators and parents told the Ventura Unified School District board during public comment that proposed staff reductions and program cuts would seriously harm students and undermine district priorities.

"Do not balance the ledger on the backs of students who have the least. Protect our counselors. Protect our future," said Patrick Pandolfi, a senior at Ventura High School, who told trustees the district plans to cut a general counselor and a college-and-career counselor and called the changes a ‘‘direct dismantling of the support systems for our most vulnerable students.’’

Multiple speakers described the impact of proposed cuts on special education, bilingual services and career-technical programs. Jackson Bailey, a student at VASE, said the decision to stop offering his computer-aided drafting and design class will push future technicians to train outside of Ventura. "Eliminating this career option will force students to look outside their hometown for educational choices," he said.

Union leaders and classroom staff said reductions in health benefits and layoffs would worsen retention. Sarah McLaughlin, president of the Ventura Unified Education Association, framed the issue as one of recruitment and retention: "When teachers and school staff have reliable access to health care, they are more present, more focused, and better able to support students."

Several public speakers questioned recent administrative pay and rehiring decisions. A commenter said a returning administrator received a 33% compensation increase after brief resignation, while other staff face layoffs. Speakers also urged the board to post public comments on social media and to increase transparency around minutes and public postings.

Special-education staff and parents described problems created by eliminating positions that support attendance and retention. Nadia Herrera and Eileen Pedoni each said assistant director and liaison positions are grant-funded and help the district generate attendance-based revenue; Herrera warned rescinding those roles could cost roughly $1.5 million in ADA funding. "These positions are grant-funded. They are not a burden on the general fund," she said.

Other public comments touched on community items including a request from the Arc of Ventura County to consider returning to a longtime property and a call from a state delegate candidate to adopt a policy protecting gender-diverse students after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

The board listened without deciding on rescissions during the meeting; several trustees acknowledged the concern and said staff would continue to look at funding sources, grant opportunities and the governor's proposed state budget. No vote was taken on public requests during the comment period.

The public-comment period preceded the board’s receipt of a district financial presentation and a formal vote on the second interim report (see separate item). The district said it will continue outreach and will accept follow-up meetings and correspondence from commenters.