Something to think about as the Ventura County Board of Education embarks on interviews and the selection process to replace outgoing County Superintendent Charles Weis, who is leaving to take the same job in Santa Clara County: Weis is the only countywide elected official who is a Democrat.

The position is nonpartisan, as are all county offices. But for those who are keeping score -- and there are many partisans from both sides who are -- the sheriff, district attorney, treasurer-tax collector, clerk-recorder and assessor are all Republicans.

Whoever is appointed superintendent will have a big leg up in winning the next election for the office, in 2010.

The board has promised to search for the most qualified candidates to interview for the post, and their party affiliation should have little bearing on their qualifications to handle this administrative job.

Still, the question is bound to become something of an elephant in the room during the selection process, as two members of the county board -- Dean Kunicki of Simi Valley and Chris Valenzano of Camarillo -- are also members of the Ventura County Republican Central Committee.