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Ventura County honors recent Career Online High School graduates as library program highlights impact
Summary
At its April 28 meeting the Board of Supervisors heard personal testimonies from recent Career Online High School graduates and library leaders describing how the no‑cost program (state grant plus Library Foundation match) helped adults earn diplomas and career certificates, and supported county literacy and outreach work.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on April 28 heard graduates and library leaders describe the Career Online High School program run by the Ventura County Library, underlining the county role in funding and the Library Foundation’s match that makes the program free to students.
Nancy Schram, the county library director, told the board the library system hosted a recent graduation honoring 16 graduates and that the libraries provided extensive programming (over 2,500 programs and more than 48,000 program attendees last year). Schram invited several graduates to speak about how the online program changed their lives.
Aida, who identified herself as originally from Mexico, said she started the program in June 2023 “thanks to Nancy, the library director, and Judy, COHS coordinator” and that earning her diploma had opened new personal and professional doors. Another graduate, Stephanie Singletary, credited program coordinator Judy Perkins and the foundation’s support as she pursues allied‑health training.
Mary Reese, chair of the Ventura County Library Foundation, told supervisors the foundation provides critical funding that supplements state grants and helps sustain mobile library services and improvements such as expanded Wi‑Fi and youth programming. Reese also said the foundation recently secured a major donation from the Susan Knight Trust to support Fillmore library projects.
Supervisor comments stressed libraries’ role as community hubs and recognized graduates; the board presented a proclamation to the program and invited graduates and staff for a photograph. No formal action was required or taken.
The board’s discussion placed the program in the context of ongoing county and foundation investments in library services, mobile outreach and adult education.
