Donna Prenta is up and running in her campaign to oust Dean Kunicki from the county board of education.
She doesn't yet have a website so if anyone wants to support her and create one leave a comment here so she can contact you. I wonder if websites are needed or how they can best be used in a local race like this one.
I will post more pictures from the event in the near future.
Click on continue reading for her latest press release.
Press Release word for word:
Donna Prenta's campaign kick-off party to be elected to the Ventura County Board of Education was a huge success thanks to the wonderful support she received throughout the community. More than sixty people attended to help show their support and volunteer to help her win this election.
The guests were very diverse proving that she is truly working to build bi-partisan partnerships. Parents, students, teachers, administrators, classified personnel, union representatives and local business owners attended to show their support and learn more about her goals to build better community partnerships. Her strength is proving to be developing coalitions and consensus which is evident from her guest list.
Her guest list included School Board Trustees from both Simi Valley and Moorpark, Simi Valley City Council Members and County Supervisors. She has already received endorsements from SVUSD Trustees, Rob Collins, Janice Difatta and Debbie Sandland and MUSD David Pollock. Prenta served on the Ventura County Mental Health Board for several years, members of the Mental Health Board attended and said they are pleased to see her offer her leadership skills to the Ventura County Board of Education who they collaborate with to deliver services to students. More endorsements are sure to follow soon.
Donna Prenta who is a child advocate had a great turnout of young adults who came to show their support and register to vote. Donna has worked hard as a child advocate to help many youth statewide, receive the supports they needed to complete their education and help them with their educational challenges.
Several attendees brought their own voter registration forms that Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller sent out to all graduating Seniors. These young people were encouraged to inform our public officials of issues important to them. Young adults are helping to register voters and local bands are performing fund raising concerts for Prenta's campaign.
Local Businesses are proudly displaying her campaign signs, Prenta Partner Cards and offering green apple candy to their customers. Volunteers are distributing her cards and registrations forms. Individuals have already started to display her signs.
Prenta is definitely in this race to WIN!
Is anyone else running?
With Stratton out I would think more people besides Parenta would step forward.
Based on how Stratton was treated during his tenure on the board I'm surprised that anyone with a mind of their own would want that job. It would be easier to just let the unions continue to run the school board than subject yourself to that kind of continual abuse. Anyone who isn't willing to do the bidding of the teacher's union will be in for a rough ride. I'm sure Tim Keaney can relate to what I'm saying.
Someone will step forward because with two seats and only Parenta as a candidate they would need to appoint the last seat.
Ok guys, we are talking about two different school boards. Donna Prenta is running for the Ventura County Board of Education. Greg Stratton and Carla Kurachi are current board members of the Simi Valley Unified School District.
So for this thread, let's keep this for those who are running for the County Board of Education.
Thanks for clearing that up for Mike.
The governor once proposed eliminating the County Schools offices. Chuck Weis then sent a bunch of his staff on the county dime to go protest the governor's budget.
I would like Ms. Prenta to comment on these facts:
1. Do you think the governor was right to call for the elimination of the office you are running for?
2. Do you think tax payers should foot the bill when Dr. Weis protests?
Signed,
Roasted in Rio
I would think that since it's Dr Weis's responsibility to protect the taxpayer's interests in the County School District and its affairs, the voters that chose him in part, because of his opinions on such issues, should foot the bill when he does his job. He's done nothing more than any other elected officials, including County Supervisors and City Board members, are required to do when budget issues are raised.
There is a difference in sending staff on trips to conduct official business versus using taxpayer money to conduct organized political protests. The County Supervisors do not send staff on political junkets to carry picket signs.
Rio, Has Dean K. ever answered these questions for you?
Well, funny thing is, I wouldn't expect Kunicki to answer the questions either, but if he's able to find this blog, he's free to enter his opinion.
I'll just sit here waiting.
I would like Ms. Prenta to comment on these facts:
1. Do you think the governor was right to call for the elimination of the office you are running for? If our current CBOE was doing their jobs and reaching out to constituents you would not have asked this question.
You would need to understand the programs that the County offers to answer this question.
No this Board should not be eliminated otherwise the local school boards will have to take responibility for the education of incarcerated youth, court and community schools such as Gateway. Gateway is for youth that local school district's have expelled. Keeping our school's safe is extremely important we also want to keep kids off the street's and help them to get back on track to circumvent recidivism. SVUSD expels on average 70 youths per year.
County schools also offer's an educaiton to youth at Casa Pacifica which is a shelter for abused and neglected youth as well as a level 14 residential treatment center for youth with emotional disturbances. (the next highest would be a lockdown psychiatrict hospital)Many of these kids we are trying to keep from being incarcerated. Others kids are afflicted with the onset of mental illnesses they need support to understand how to cope with their illnesses and continue to be productive adults embracing wellness and treatment. If you visit Casa Pacifica you will notice that when you come to the reception room there is bullet proof glass, there is a reason for this we do not want to have this level of security in all schools it is not practical.
Our society demands safe schools, and our cities demand safe streets County Schools offers programs to make that a reality.
County schools acts as a safety net to offer programs and services to school district's that would not be able to offer them individually for fiscal reason's. One example are specialist that are needed such as behaviorist, physical, occupational and speech therapists, technology specialist to name a few. School district's can contract for a portion of a specialist's services. County schools also provides bussing for many school district's.
Not all students are pursuing college degrees County school's offers Regional Occupational programs for students. Simi Valley/Moorpark students have to go to Camarillo for ROP except for one program that is in SSHS for stagecraft, web design and computer repair. We have a brand new mall why are students that are studying fashion merchandising going to Thousand Oaks, OUCH!
There are special education programs and day classes that are operated within school district's by County schools as well. These school district's either choose to have the County run the programs or they are unable to, especially small school districts. Again this is a safety net offered to school district's for fiscal reasons.
Ventura County has on average 25% less for vocational training than other County's. In other County's 25% of students on average have vocational/education available to them in Ventura County our students average 2.4% available to them and for East County they have to go to Camarillo for the majority of programs.
Simi Valley and Moorpark have not had consistent representation. The current representative is not reaching out to the public to let them know what services are available worse yet if you look at a map of services there is not a single one in Simi.
2. Do you think tax payers should foot the bill when Dr. Weis protests? Frankly I am not entirely sure how to answer this question. This is an area that you have me stumped because I do not have all the facts of what has actually happened in the past.
I believe that Dr. Weis has a responsibility to lobby directly on why the County Board of Education is necessary. It would seem the head of departments would also be responsible to inform Sacramento of what they do and why they feel it is essential. It is also stated quite clearly in the responibilities of County Board Members that they are required to lobby regarding educational issues for their consituents, therefore Board Members should be doing such. Board members only receive a stipend of $300.00 a month, they are obviously not in it for the money unless they need health insurance then it is a pretty big payoff for them. I believe that is why many people who are self-employed find being elected beneficial. I already have great health insurance that is not my motivation.
In theory I do not believe we should take employees away from their responsibilities on the taxpayers dime. That being said shouldn't they have the opportunity to explain their programs and why they are necessary. They should also be able to give Sacramento outcome studies from their programs, do you consider that lobbying on the taxpayer dime, I'm not sure?
When I was on the Mental Health Board we asked staff why their programs were important to make informed budget decisions on whether to cut their programs. Wouldn't that be considered lobbying on the taxpayers dime or is it simply accountability?
I do not think County employees should be carrying picket signs on the taxpayers dime. They should do this on their own time.
Donna, thanks for setting a good example by answering questions directly.
Thank you for answering questions about this campaign. I hope the other candidate(s) also do.
Thanks for answering. I hope you'll keep posting comments
I met Donna Prenta tonight and I invite anyone to talk with her if they want to understand the issues more.
Mrs. Prenta, you don't really know me but I am impressed!
Thank you everyone, I am honored by your compliment Mr. Moustache!
Anyone who would like to contact me directly can reach me at tprenta@aol.com or 805-404-0914. I would also like to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to best serve you and what issues are important to you.
This will be an uphill battle for me as my oppopnent has a lot of support from developers that he consults for.
I am honored to have a large grass roots base of supporters.
I believe this office belongs to the people. My philosophy is that my first challenge as your representative is to earn your support during my campaign. Together we will make a difference for our community and especially our children.
I can not do this alone. I would appreciate any support you could offer.
Mr. Mustache,
Sorry for the spelling error.
No problem. Do you have any background creating coaltions with other stakeholders? I know the current office holder has a wide variety of connections in the business and political work.