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Oxnard Union superintendent touts awards, appoints new Frontier High principal
Summary
Superintendent Dr. McCoy reported district student awards, two California Distinguished Schools and CTE recognitions and announced the board approved Mark Contreras as principal of Frontier High School with a 4–1 vote; staff also previewed a budget stabilization plan and community outreach.
Superintendent Dr. Bernard McCoy opened the March 11 Oxnard Union High School District board meeting by announcing district achievements and recognitions before the board approved a personnel appointment.
Dr. McCoy reported that the California Department of Education recognized two OUHSD schools as 2026 California Distinguished Schools (Oxnard Middle College High School and Rancho Campana High School). He also highlighted student wins in mock trial and journalism; recognition of staff, including athletic director Chris Ruffinelli as Channel Coast Athletic Director of the Year; and district programs that earned state recognition for CTE and Purple Star designation for supporting military‑connected students.
During closed session the board approved a settlement with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (details pending agency approval) and later reported out that it had appointed Mark Contreras as principal of Frontier High School. Contreras, who addressed the board briefly, said he has served the district for 25 years and thanked trustees and administrators for the opportunity.
The superintendent’s report also included an update on district student engagement (student superintendent advisory committee), a Pause for a Cause drive that produced hundreds of donations for animal shelters and steps the district is taking to recognize and support students across campuses.
Votes and actions at a glance: the board approved the appointment of Mark Contreras to principal of Frontier High School (motion moved by Trustee Flores Haro, seconded by Trustee Baker Torres; recorded vote 4–1 with Trustee Estrada voting no). Several proclamations and resolutions recognizing Women’s History Month, Paraeducator Appreciation Day, Public Schools Month, Adult Education Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month were adopted with unanimous votes recorded.
What happens next: Dr. McCoy said the district will continue community outreach on the budget stabilization plan, convene a budget advisory committee and present additional details at the April meeting. Trustees asked staff to post user‑friendly budget materials online and to provide a chart of administrative staffing levels for future review.
Representative quote: “We want people to be here, and we want people to tell us the impacts,” McCoy said while defending the need to explore budget options during an era of federal grant volatility.
Ending: Trustees congratulated the students and staff recognized by the superintendent and thanked the community speakers who addressed the board on personnel and program matters.
