Thanks Brian - this has been a very hot issue in Camarillo (and Oxnard). A few months ago it was probably a slam dunk but the No of U people have really done an outstanding job getting people to think about what is going on with the unification issue.

No on Measure U gathering at JJ Brewsky's in Camarillo tonight.

It is not looking good for those of us not supporting Measure U. I really have a distrust for this new district and what it will do to our wonderful UPS and UCMS school as they make a mad grab for low cost high school space. I can only pray that they man up and honor the charter to its full term so we can find a more appropriate setting to educate our children.

As a current student of Camarillo High School and son to a mother who has spoken out against unification several times, it surprises me that nobody ever really asked what the students wanted. I went to Los Altos previous to its closing, and was a member of the last graduating class when it was still a 6-8 school. I knew multiple kids that had failed many classes in 8th grade and still graduated onto high school. I saw just how poorly the PVSD school district was run. After I left PVSD, they ran Los Altos for another year then closed it, along with another campus with the intention of closing more. If they couldn't run schools within their own district, how could anyone think they could run a high school? They can't, and we shouldn't give them the opportunity to.

This measure affects us, the students, more than anyone. Many of the teachers we've had all throughout high school would be gone. I'd go as far as saying that ff this measure were to pass, it would ruin my senior year next year.

I can only hope and pray that the last 3% of votes don't overturn it. The current results show it roughly 51% to 48.5% in favor of not passing it.

Whew, looks like things turned around late. Thanks Camarillo voters for turning this around and not approving a district that would be bankrupt from the start.

Thanks to everyone for the defeat of the unification Measure U. I have been involved in the anti-unification issue for 10 years and I am grateful that we finally had the chance to make our case to the people. Our students benefit from our deliberateness and thoughtfulness.

Now it's time for Pleasant Valley to get back to the job of governing its K-8 district which has fallen on such sad times since this unification obsession began. I truly hope that the board can let this go, move on, and concentrate on their trust; to educate the primary schoolchildren of Camarillo.

Sandy, Thank you also...you did fantastic at the debate. One would hope that PVSD board would get back to the business of education our k-8 kids, but I'm very pessamistic (sp) at this happening. Hopefully, everyone will attend the PVSD board meeting tomorrow night at 7pm and implore them to do the right thing. Plus, we all want to say goodbye to Sandy, right?

oops...the meeting is at 6pm

Student Ross - Los Altos was closed due to declining enrollment. (It didn't have enough students to keep it afloat.)

My daughter went to Tierra Linda Elementary and Las Colinas Middle School and had a terrific education. For us, the administration of the district was seamless, and the teachers highly trained and motivated. We participated in the GATE program, and having experienced GATE here, and also at two different districts in Central California, this experience was by far the best and fantastic for her.

One third of her graduating class including most of the GATE kids who were supposed to go to ACHS fled to Newbury Park, T.O., Oaks Christian, Ojai Valley Preparatory, etc. basically ANYWHERE to maintain the quality of education they had grown to expect. They will be graduating this year having experienced things like an I.B. program, a theatre arts program in a performing arts facility, or participating on a swim team that actually has it's own pool. No one regrets the extra drive to have their children attend better schools.

My daughter went to ACHS and had to deal with using a locker that is the same one used by kids in the graduating class of 1956. She had the experience to "share" a lab bench in her science class with up to 7 other kids, each getting only one "turn" the entire semester to sit at the forefront. This same class didn't provide books until the 5th week of school, and the teacher said the parents should buy copies on Amazon if they wanted their kid to be guaranteed to have a copy. (This is illegal.)

Half way through her sophomore year one of her teachers asked her to be "gifted tested". We were surprised that this information was not transfered to the school along with her records,and even more surprised to find that none of the counselors knew who the incoming GATE kids were. (GATE kids can have special issues so it is helpful for counselors to ID them.)

Now that she is getting ready to apply to colleges, she had hoped to use an upgraded system with the college applications program on-line, that over 250 universities use to receive information on the incoming applicants. OUHSD has not provided it to their counselors so it looks like we will have to print out all the data and snail mail it individually to each university. It just figures.

I will not be making the same mistake with my current PVSD attending son when it is his turn to go to high school unless he attends our own unified district. I would love to have it run by the same qualified individuals who have worked so hard with fewer dollars in the k-8 PVSD.

Unified schools receive more money per student, we would get an additional $5 million dollars every year because the State recognizes the streamlined value of unified districts and encourages the formation of them, and we would receive about $22 million more for the students from ACHS who would now be in our own district.

Note: The OUHSD, as all schools, get a certain amount per student to educate them. THe OUHSD has said it would LOSE $22 million. Well, it would lose the students that go with that money too. They will have the same amount per kid, times the total number of kids they educate, and it won't be any less kids or dollars because their district is growing by leaps and bounds!

I want a unified district where my property tax dollars support my schools, where I can see a return on my investment. I am hoping the final vote count will tip the scales and we will be allowed to run our Camarillo schools from Kindergarten until the 12th grade.

And Ross, if unification passes, you will have qualified teachers to teach you, your senior year will not be ruined. And remember, it's not about just you. Growing pains can be unsettling and difficult, but you've gotta keep your eyes on the prize, for in the long run it is what is best for the educational future of all of Camarillo's children.

Peg,
My experience with the current PVSD district couldn't have been more different. I guess that is why we're on opposite sides of the issue.
Her teachers were great, but could only work within the parameters given by the district. No field trips, no differentiated education, no responsiveness to individual needs.
The Gate program in which she participated fell far short of engaging and challenging for my child. She actually stopped going because it took her away from regular school work and it bored her. Additionally, it wasn't treated as an opportunity for kids with different learning abilities, it was treated as an elitest organization of "smart" children.
Your daughter used a locker from 1956 at Cam High? Well the locker your younger child will use will probably be the same age; even if we're unified. My child goes to Rio Mesa and has old lockers, too. She also has IB, performing arts, a pool and an incredible culture on that campus. It, too, is worth the very short drive from my house. Both my kids will continue to attend that school, regardless of unification.
You should have known if your daughter's gifted information wasn't passed along well before her Sophomore year - most children in the gifted program are placed (or at least offered)into AP classes. Mine was. BTW, that "less than seamless" transition could have been on the end of Las Colinas, not Cam High. I spoke to Cam High Math teachers who said they've tried and tried, without success, to meet with Las Colinas to ease transition.
I have had nothing but fluent transition with OUHSD. Phone calls have been returned in timely manner, new school books given prior to class and any concerns addressed individually and immediately. Many issues at individual campuses are based on current administration. Before Glen Lipman came along, ACHS had issues. And now Lipman is there and I hear things are better. Its the same in PVSD. The administration sets the tone on each campus.
To tell Ross that he should sacrifice even one iota for "what is best for the educational future of all Camarillo's children" is amusing. Any student looking to get into college is not going to willingly "settle". His senior year may not be ruined, but it certainly won't be all it could be with about 75-90% of current Cam High teachers leaving.
You're 22million/5 million is flawed as well, but its not worth arguing here. I mostly wanted to address the disparity in our experiences justifying our opposing positions.