Skip To Main Content
Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Logo
vusd logo

The following message was sent to all families on 1.30.25

Dear VUSD Families,

I want to share important information regarding our school district’s anticipated staff reductions and the steps we are taking to address upcoming budget challenges while keeping our focus on improved student outcomes and student success. Over the past few years, our district has received one-time federal and state funds that provided crucial support intended to address significant student needs resulting from COVID. Unfortunately, although these temporary funds have run out, we continue to face the challenges of residual learning loss, ongoing declining enrollment, and the need to maintain and improve competitive salaries for staff.

To help with these challenges, the District has taken several actions over the past few years to reduce budget limitations which have included retirement incentives, energy savings initiatives, grant awards, reduction in central office positions, and seeking a parcel tax extension. While this has helped, more needs to be done.

Despite these challenges, our school board and district administration remain steadfast in their commitment to:

  1. Advancing Literacy Initiatives: Ensuring every student has the skills and support they need to succeed.
  2. Improving Outcomes for Our Highest-Need Students: Providing targeted resources and programs to close achievement gaps. This includes exploring new mental health delivery models to extend the benefits of access to the district’s expanded mental health initiatives.
  3. Offering a Variety of Academic Options at the High School Level: Preserving a wide range of opportunities for student exploration and growth.
  4. Maintaining and Expanding Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities: Continuing middle school and high school co-teaching models and growing elementary inclusive models, beginning with transitional kindergarten through 1st grade.
  5. Exploring Educator Workforce Housing Options: Seeking solutions to support VUSD staff struggling with the cost of affordable housing.

 

Looking ahead, we are hopeful that new funding and cost-saving measures, that are planned, will help further reduce the financial stress in the 2026-27 school year.  Our goal is to keep our district stable long-term while focusing on what students need most.

We understand that these staff reductions may raise concerns, and we will maintain open lines of communication throughout this process. Please know that these decisions are not made lightly and are guided by our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students.

Your support and partnership are invaluable as we navigate this challenging time together. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to call, email me, or attend our upcoming school board meetings.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our schools and our VUSD community.

Respectfully,

 

Dr. Antonio Castro

Superintendent

 

Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Castro, Antonio.Castro@venturausd.org

Board President, Calvin Peterson, Calvin.Peterson@venturausd.org

Board Vice-President, James Forsythe, James.Forsythe@venturausd.org

Board Trustee, Sabrena Rodriguez, Sabrena.Rodriguez@venturausd.org

Board Trustee, Shannon Trani Fredericks, Shannon.Fredericks@venturausd.org

Board Trustee, Dr. Gerald Dannenberg, Jerry.Dannenberg@venturausd.org