Expanding Educational Opportunities

• Career Education – Expanded career education options for high school students in high-demand fields such as healthcare, aviation, and automotive technology
• Welding Facility – Opened the region’s first welding testing and training center that’s nationally certified by the American Welding Society
• School Mobile Library – Worked with the Ventura County Library to launch a new bookmobile just for schools
• Dual Enrollment – Expanded opportunities for students to take college courses while still in high school
• Student Competitions – Taking learning beyond the classroom with Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon, Battle of the Books, and the Ventura County Science Fair
• Multilingual Learning – Worked to expand Dual Language Immersion programs and support for students learning English
• After School Programs – Expanded opportunities for students to learn before and after the regular school day
• Early Education – Supported roll-out of the new transitional kindergarten grade for four-year-olds and expansion of preschool and child care options
• Compassionate Systems – Brought renowned MIT program to Ventura County to help educators keep students engaged in school
• Commitment to Equity – Continuing to remove barriers and increase opportunities for all students

Supporting Schools and Educators

• School Safety – Prioritizing safety on school campuses with unprecedented collaboration between schools and law enforcement
• Student Wellbeing – Facilitated opening of middle and high school wellness centers throughout the county to provide mental health support and referrals, so students are ready to learn
• Teacher Preparation – Provide training, support, and mentoring for new teachers and educators seeking new credentials
• Ventura County Child, Youth, and Family Wellness System – Connecting community organizations and agencies to get services and support to students and families when and where they need it
• Alternative Education – Elevated educational partnership with community-based organizations and agencies to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline

Leadership When It Matters Most

• COVID-19 Pandemic – Led the effort to get schools reopened during the pandemic by prioritizing vaccinations for school staff
• Wildfires and Floods – Help coordinate information sharing between districts and serve as a countywide clearinghouse for information on school closures during emergencies
• Immigrant Rights – Ensure that all students can exercise their legal right to attend school regardless of immigration status and provide support through the Migrant Education Program

Dr. Morales’s Priorities for Ventura County Schools

• Build on recent growth in student test scores, attendance, and graduation rates
     
• Leverage countywide resources and partnerships to expand educational opportunities, family support programs, and professional development for educators
   
• Continue growing career education opportunities for high school students and adults in high-demand fields, including healthcare, welding, and aviation
   
• Maintain the financial health of all Ventura County school districts and charter schools
   
• Continue to remove barriers to learning by promoting educational equity initiatives for students, families, teachers, and support staff
   
• Expand services between public, private, and nonprofit partners to meet the needs of students and families impacted by increased immigration enforcement
   
• Promote and support additional student enrichment opportunities