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Board approves $580,000 summer STEM and speaker series; trustees press for local partners
Summary
The board approved an Extended Learning Opportunities Program contract with De Bruin Enterprises to run a water-themed STEM summer program and speaker series; trustees supported the program's reach but pushed staff to expand local partnerships and explain consultant fees and metrics.
The Oxnard School District board voted Jan. 14 to approve an Extended Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) agreement with De Bruin Enterprises to deliver a water-themed summer program and a rotating STEM speaker series for students.
Dr. Ginger Shea, who presented the item, said the contract would bring STEM professionals and mobile exhibits (including a mobile water museum) to district sites to give students hands-on exposure to maritime and water science topics. "Bringing in STEM professionals allows us to provide access to all of our students in our summer program to have an experience," she said, describing rotating speakers and in-class activities tied to grade-level projects.
Several trustees praised the district's summer program but questioned the size of consultant fees and whether the district could lean more on local institutions. "I have an issue with spending $580,000 on people that are not completely local," Trustee Gonzales said, urging staff to explore partners such as Oxnard College, CSU Channel Islands and local providers like Real Guppies. Dr. Shea and staff said the contract's scale and scheduling needs require a network of professionals that a single local volunteer could not reliably supply for large cohorts, and that ELOP funding is specifically intended for these enrichment experiences.
Trustees also asked for program metrics and equitable reach across sites. Staff said they will provide enrollment and evaluation data and are already pursuing partnerships with local colleges and community organizations to maximize local content and capacity.
The board approved the contract after the discussion. Staff said the program is paid with targeted ELOP funds and that they will return with further partnership details and performance metrics.
What happens next: staff will finalize schedules, continue outreach to local colleges and organizations, and provide the board with enrollment and outcome measures for the summer program and speaker series.
