If you have questions for Charles Watson leave them here.

Will you support teaching ID in the classrooms? I hope you won't support The "Theory" of evil-lution like so many educrats do.

I recieved very exciting news from the California Office of Education. Jack O'Connell has agreed to endorse Charles Watson for Area 1 Trustee to the County Board of Education.

Why? Is he not happy with the current leadership?

Compare the photos of Mr. Watson actually doing something related to his job with Peter Foy's farming fashin shoot.

I think you mean "fashion" not fashin shoot.

FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY-FARMER FOY!

Why did Jack O'Connell endorse in this race? What is wrong with the current leadership?

There is nothing wrong with the current leadership in District 1. ML Peterson has done a great job, and will continue to do so when she is easily re-elected in November.

Is one candidate a Democrat and one a Republican?

I will whine if I want to!

Seems like Watson isn't ready to answer questions yet.

Thank you Laura for your endorsement and generous compliment. I also want to thank the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee and the National Women's Political Caucus - Ventura County for endorsing me.

While the VCBE Trustee is a non-partisan position, I believe the candidate's party affiliation offers voters a general understanding of her/his values and political point of view. Because I am the only Democrat on VCBE, I beleive my views have significantly contributed to it being more non-partisan than it would be otherwise.

I have a few guidelines for comments on this blog.

1. If you see anything that crosses the line from politics, to a personal attack and you want it removed just e-mail me (briandennert@yahoo.com)

2. You don't need to use your real name, but I trust a person that uses thier real name more. So should you.

3. In the box that says URL, feel free to leave a link back to a candidate or cause you favor.

4. Keept it clean. Don't use foul language. Try to attack ideas, not personalities. Bring the best and you will bring out the best in others.

5. In addition, I abide by other guidelines put forth by The Star. I want this blog to have high standards and I would hope as your part as a citizen you will help move the debate forward.

As you may have heard I am soon to be retiring from Interface Children Family Services where I have been President and CEO for the past 23 years.

Throughout my work at Interface I have been responsible for ensuring that foster teens gain independence, victims of violence achieve safety and that children facing mental illness find hope and a place in our society.

As I have been contemplating my future, a number of things have become clear -- I need to stay involved in things that matter, with the health and welfare of children and families being the most important to me.

Therefore, I have decided to run for elected office – Ventura County Board of Education, Area 1 Trustee.

It is my firm belief that strengthening the working relationships between local school districts and the County Board through better communication, increased cooperation, and focused collaboration will result in a higher quality education for our children.

My Top Priorities will be:
1. To strengthen the working relationships between our local School Districts and the County Board of Education.
2. To enhance educational opportunities for our children that are innovative, student-centered and family friendly.
3. To ensure a Board of Education that is visibly accountable, fair and open.

I hope that my reputation, work experience, and long-standing commitment to children will result in your willingness to support my candidacy and join others from our community with a public endorsement and a financial contribution.

I have already been assured of support from:
 Jack O’Connell - Superintendent of Public Instruction
 Linda Parks – Ventura County Supervisor
 Bob Brooks – Ventura County Sheriff
 Greg Totten – Ventura County District Attorney
 Lawrence K Matheney – Ventura County Treasurer
 Bob Roper – Ventura County Fire Chief
 Susan K Lacey - Former Ventura County Supervisor
 Anthony Volante – Port Hueneme Mayor
 Christy Weir - Ventura Deputy Mayor
 Jon Sharkey - Port Hueneme City Council
 Murray Rosenbluth – Port Hueneme City Council
 Bedford Pinkard – Former Oxnard City Council
 Manuel Lopez – Former Mayor of Oxnard
 Richard Francis – Former Ventura City Council
 Barbara Fitzgerald - Ventura Unified Schools Board President
 Debbie Golden - Ventura Unified Schools Board Trustee
 Shayla Gudino - Hueneme School Board
 Larry Miller – Ventura County Community College District
 Art Hernandez, Ventura County Community College District
 Edward Lacey – Ventura Unified Schools Classified Personnel Commission
 Henry "Hank” Lacayo, President Congress of California Seniors
 Marc Vertin – Past District Governor, Rotary International
 Jody Shapiro – Author & Founder Adventures For Kids Bookstore
 Dr. Carrie Rothstein-Fisch – Associate Professor, CSU Northridge
 Dorothy Jue Lee – former Commissioner, California Commission for the Establishment of Academic Content and Performance Standards
 Perry Shapirio – Professor of Economics, UCSB
 Dr. Robert Fraisse – former Superintendent, Conejo Valley Unified School District

Charles, thanks for keeping us updated on your campaign. It takes a strong leader to enagge in the issues and not avoid debate.

It was my honor to be recognized by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors at their regular Board meeting today for my work at Interface and on behalf of all of the citizens of Ventura County. Thank you for all of the complimentary things expressed by Chairperson Parks, Supervisor Bennett and Supervisor Long. Your support and encouragement is much appreciated.

In response to earlier questions:

I am not in favor of teaching creationism or intelligent design in the classroom. The teaching of religious beliefs belongs in the home and in our churches not in our schools.

Jack O'Connell has endorsed my because of my record and his trust in my skills and leadership. I cannot speak to any feelings he may or may not have with regard to current trustees.

This is a nonpartisan race and I am campaigning in that style, seeking support from all corners. With that in mind, I will conduct myself in a professional manner - I will be beholding to no one but accountable to everyone.

Thanks for listening reading - don't forget to VOTE for your candidate and may the person most qualified win.

Who is your current favorite board member as far as ideas go?

I know you are a REGISTERED REPUBLICAN. And even though this is a non-partisan office, do you think it is wise to have all the members of the Ventura County Board of Education to be from the same political persuasion?

Also, how do you feel then about the Armed Services being allowed on high school campuses to recruit for the misguided Bush policies?

I put you back on the front page Charles so make sure you answer questions. Thanks for answering so many in the past, keep it up.

Is he really a Republican? I heard he is a Democrat and I don't vote for extreme candidates.

In response to a few new questions:

I do not have a favorite Board member.

Yes, I am a registered Republican. However, I am dissappointed that somehow being a Republican or a Democrat has become more important than being a caring, thinking and hard-working person. As to the fact that there may be a majority of Trustees who are Republican - I won't judge them until we confront issues that matter over which we have authority.

As to having Armed Forces on campus. I am willing to consider a wide array of potential employers providing our young adults with options as to future career choices.

I am not certain what you consider to be "extreme" regarding a candidate. It has not been a label ever attributed to me or my beliefs.

Thanks again for caring enough to participate in this blog and don't forget to Vote on Nov 7th.

Party labels are important. That is why the current head of the board when discussing the last appointment said only "Conservative Christians" need to submit an application.

I didn't make the board a partisan activist group that cares more about extreme agendas, I just want to be assured you won't be a part of that. If you pretend there aren't extreme members, you must be one of them.

I am glad though you have no current favorite. That means you aren't part of the religious right wing agenda.

Thanks for answering my questions !

There are "caring, thinking, hard-working" people in ALL PARTIES!!! But you neglect to tell voters what you CARE, THINK, AND WORK HARD toward. And PLEASE
do not do the vague Republican family values thing. How does the economic policies affect public policies? Are you a Milton Friedman Republican? Do you think the free market -- privatization -- does a better job at social services?

Why are you a Republican? What does that tell voters about how you view poltical issues, since you are running for an ELECTED OFFICE, I think voters are entitled to know.

What are your views on CHARTER schools? HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED ON SAGE?

Please don't hide behind your generalities.

There are "caring, thinking, hard-working" people in ALL PARTIES!!! But you neglect to tell voters what you CARE, THINK, AND WORK HARD toward. And PLEASE
do not do the vague Republican family values thing. How does the economic policies affect public policies? Are you a Milton Friedman Republican? Do you think the free market -- privatization -- does a better job at social services?

Why are you a Republican? What does that tell voters about how you view poltical issues, since you are running for an ELECTED OFFICE, I think voters are entitled to know.

What are your views on CHARTER schools? HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED ON SAGE?

Please don't hide behind your generalities.

What about Vista Real? I bet Mr. Watson or Mrs. Peterson won't touch that one!

Dear Geoff,
I am wondering what you mean that we won't touch Vista Real?

I am happy to. What do you want to know?

I voted against it. I believe the Ventura County Office of Education is doing a very good job of
oversight. I have asked questions re: how well students are matriculating through the program; I have asked what Vista Real does when students drop out. I am interested in knowing how many of their students persistently attend from one semester to the next, from one year to the next. I am interested in knowing how they help students re-enter their home school, if that is the goal for the students.

The number 1 concern I have is that our Board makes sure that Vista Real is not an ADA mill; that is, I want our Board to make sure Vista Real is NOT motivated by and creating a program primarily to make money by marketing an easy access Independent Study to students who have dropped out, only to provide a program that appeals student impulses rather than providing
real knowledge and skills that can be sustained.
I am also interested in making sure that public funds are invested in the actual education of
high-need students rather than going to adminstrative salaries.

I think our Board, collectively, is being very responsible. While I remain skeptical, I am committed, as the rest of our Board members in their own ways, to making sure that all students in Ventura County are being provided with the best we have available.

If there are particular questions you like me to answer, I am very happy to reply.

Mary Louise Peterson
Trustee, Area 1
Ventura County Board of Education

In answer to the lates questions:

I am not a "right-wing christian" and while a registered Republican have been totally uninvolved in partisan politics at any level.

I am very supportive of educational alternatives that match both the typical and atypical needs of all our students. In order of preference I think that local school districts better serve their students when they offer a wide array of options within the local school district. If that is not workable then "magnet" schools and "Charter" schools are reasonable options if designed and run correctly. If none of the previous options can be made viable then a final option is a Charter School at the County level. So in the situation concerning SAGE - I would have voted in favor.