The Ventura Unified School District Board of Education recently took action at a Special Board of Education meeting held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, regarding three surplus properties: the Jewett Estate, Avenue School site, and Washington School site. After years of open discussions in Regular Board of Education meetings about these properties, and after reviewing proposals and listening to public comments for each location across multiple meetings, the Board identified entities to move forward with in the negotiation process.

Jewett Estate

The Board reviewed three proposals submitted for the Jewett Estate, located at Ralston and Beaver Streets in Ventura, near Ventura Community Park and Kimball Road.

The Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to continue negotiations with Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation  based on their proposal.

Avenue School Site

The Board reviewed eight proposals for the Avenue School property, located at 2647 North Ventura Avenue.

The Board voted unanimously, 5-0, to continue negotiations with Ventura Housing.

Washington School Site

The Board reviewed seven proposals for the Washington School property, located at 96 MacMillan Avenue in Ventura.

The Board voted 4-1, with Trustee Fredericks voting no, to continue negotiations with City Ventures.

Next Steps

The District will now enter into negotiations with each selected entity to negotiate agreements to be approved by the Board.

Before any agreement is approved, a public hearing will be held. Following the hearing, the proposed agreement will be presented at a regular Board of Education meeting, in open session, for Board action.

If approved, this will conclude the formal negotiation process. While negotiations are ongoing, they remain confidential. Once completed, the proposals from all entities who submitted, will be shared with the community on the District website.

The District will continue to provide updates through Board of Education meetings, press releases, the News and Updates webpage, VUSD Connections newsletters, and social media as we move forward.

Additional Context

The Board’s responsibility is to ensure that District properties are used in ways that best support students and staff, with a primary focus on the needs of the school district.

For several years, the Board of Education has also been exploring opportunities to support workforce housing for employees. Providing more affordable housing options for teachers and staff is one strategy to help recruit and retain high-quality educators.

As part of this effort, the Board continues to evaluate surplus properties as a way to both ease financial pressures and explore opportunities that could benefit District employees and the broader school community. This work will remain a priority as negotiations move forward.

School districts across California and the nation, including Ventura Unified, continue to face financial challenges. Operational costs such as gas, electricity, healthcare, and supplies continue to rise, while schools remain underfunded both at the state and federal level. At the same time, Ventura County has experienced declining birth rates, and families moving out of Ventura County, which results in fewer students enrolling each year in our schools. Based on recent demographic studies presented to the Board, this trend is not expected to reverse in the near future.

Additionally, the cost of living in Ventura County has increased significantly over the past two decades, making it more difficult for families, including VUSD staff, to afford to live in the community.

These factors contribute to broader discussions and action around school funding, including bond measures, parcel tax, staffing adjustments and reductions, use of surplus properties, potential school closures, and long-term planning efforts.