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Ventura Unified board adopts response-to-immigration-enforcement policy and sets trainings and webinars
Summary
The board unanimously approved an updated board policy and administrative regulation on responding to immigration enforcement; staff outlined an Aug. 19 webinar and follow-up in-person DAC workshops in September and October and pledged broad community notices and partner-led "know your rights" trainings.
The Ventura Unified School District board voted unanimously to adopt an updated policy and administrative regulation guiding the district's response to immigration enforcement.
Superintendent Dr. Antonio Castro and staff said the board policy sets a foundation and the administrative regulation outlines operational practices to protect students and families. "The board policy creates a foundation for justification of the administrative regulation," Dr. Castro explained as he summarized training and communications plans.
Trustee Sabrina Rodriguez and other trustees praised the move as timely. "This is obviously very timely. We've got a huge impact to the entire county and beyond," Rodriguez said, thanking staff for preparing training and outreach.
Staff told the board the district will offer an online webinar on Aug. 19, followed by in-person sessions with the district advisory committee (DAC) in September and additional partner workshops (dates cited: Sept. 18 and Oct. 16 were mentioned in discussion). The district said it will distribute resources broadly, host 'know your rights' trainings, and partner with local community groups the speaker named as 'Econilio of Oxnard' and other community organizations (as cited by a public commenter) to support immigrant and mixed-status families.
Public commenters had urged clearer website links and quick community notifications; trustee discussion emphasized in-service training for all staff, including front-office staff, paraeducators and bus drivers.
The board moved to approve the policy (motion, second; roll call 5-0). The board did not vote separately on the administrative regulation at the same meeting; staff described the regulatory steps as implementation guidance and said they would bring details to the board as programs roll out.
What happens next: staff will distribute community notices, host the Aug. 19 webinar, schedule DAC and partner training sessions in September and October, and return with implementation details as the administrative regulation is operationalized.
