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Ventura Unified highlights new Sheridan Way principal, approves $81,000 for middle‑school sports expansion
Summary
The Ventura Unified board introduced Sheridan Way’s new principal and heard students and coaches describe how $81,000 in LCAP and supplemental ELOP funding is expanding middle‑school athletics across seven campuses, improving participation and students’ sense of belonging.
The Ventura Unified School District on Tuesday introduced Erin Zie as the new principal at Sheridan Way and used the meeting to showcase an LCAP initiative funding expanded middle‑school athletics.
District leaders told trustees the LCAP action (Action 2.4) allocates about $81,000 to support after‑school and lunchtime intramural programs across seven middle schools, and staff said ELOP/ASUS funding has supplemented those efforts at sites including Anacappa, Atlas and Data. Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro introduced Gina Wallowitz, who described Zie’s experience in Santa Monica‑Malibu and her community‑engagement approach. "He brings valuable insight into the early years of learning, helping students remain curious, competent, and empowered," Wallowitz said.
Coaches and students described concrete gains. Coach Larry Anter of Balboa Middle School said the funding allowed full seasons and uniforms instead of one‑day tournaments, and reported roughly 158–169 participants across his programs this year. Student Taiishin Minkx, an eighth grader, praised recent equipment and said his team would use new funding for basic needs such as basketballs. "If we get funding now, I think I would want to put it to new balls," Taiishin said.
Presenters and trustees framed the programs as tied to LCAP goals around campus community and belonging. District staff noted that the funding mix includes LCAP and ELOP supplements and agreed to provide trustees with a breakdown of the split between LCAP and ELOP on request. Several trustees and staff emphasized that coaches—often volunteers or teachers who supervise outside paid time—were critical to sustaining programs.
The presentation closed with trustees and board members thanking student speakers and coaches for attending. The district said it would circulate further budget detail to trustees and return with any requested follow‑ups or clarifications.
The board did not take additional action on the LCAP presentation itself; LCAP allocations and ELOP uses remain subject to site and district financial processes and reporting.
