Make sure you watch the videos if you can. I think there is much to learn in them.

I will posting comment number 4000 on the front page. It should happen within the next day or so.

Thanks everyone for helping this blog grow into Ventura County's number one political blog. Most people come here to chat and read comments so I appreicate the traffic that you help direct.

When you leave a comment there is a box marked URL. Put in the address of a website you support. As an example my name is a link.

Who pays the interest on bonds? The taxpayer. Either the interest is paid by raising taxes or the municipality has to divert money from its general fund, causing a deficit. It simply puts off the day of reckoning.

Better to take a close look at HOW our schools operate and rearrange funding internally. Only AFTER that proves not to work should we be seeking additional funds. First thing I'd do is sell off the new county conference center and fire the people that Okayed it!

There is some bond debate I remember going on over the past few months.

It is quite explosive. I am surprised Cruz didn't address it in the video.

I am interested in what Davis thinks about the bonds.

Since Cruz doesn't talk about the bond, go to Keaney's blog and look at the archives.

I wonder what Keaney thinks about the school board race thus far?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! MR. CRUZ TALKS ABOUT NOTHING BUT BONDS IN THE VIDEO! WATCH IT AGAIN BEFORE YOU WRITE ABOUT HIM!

After this chat about bonds I wonder what Tim Keaney will say?

Couple of comments on the Proposition 1D and Prop 88. I will most likely vote no on both of these propositions.

Prop 1D: I totally support our children and their education. What I am against is wasteful spending at the expense of our children. This year approximately 50% of all the taxes we pay to the state go to fund public education. As I see it, we should have enough funds for our schools. We need to spend these funds more wisely.

Prop 88: I believe that we do not need additional taxes to solve California's problems. To impose a $50 tax on our homes to supposedly fund schools does not make good business sense nor is it realistic. We already pay taxes to our state government to fund schools and education. Again, as leaders, we really need to concentrate on spending tax dollars more wisely.

All the right wing exremist nut job Bob Foley types love Ray Cruz!

I have a serious question for Cruz. I noticed that The Ventura County Republican Central Committee endorsed you and only you in a race where we can vote for two candidates. They also bypassed several candidates who are Republicans. How can I be promised you are not running as a part of some political agenda rather than a classroom agenda?

My other question is about ballot titles. You have listed your occupation and one of the words is teacher. Where do you teach at? Is it a local school? If so, do you have to resign to hold office like Rob Collins did?

Thank you for answering questions. it is refreshing and I appreciate it.

What do you think of the district's current sex education program?

Mr. Cruz. You wrote on the ballot you are a teacher. I checked with the CTCC and they said you do not have a teaching credential. What's up with that?

Do you know where he teachers Jimmy?

Crack corn if I knew I would not ask. Also learn how to spell.

Then why do you ask? Are inseuating he isn't a teacher?

Tim Keaney has a few posts on the upcoming election and education.

I have talked to a lot of Tim Keany's supporters from the last campaign. They are thinking of writing him in on their ballots as a protest vote.

Tim Keaney would have been a fantastic choice in 2004 and I believe he could have won in this race if he still lived here and decided that was what he wanted to do in life.

He is probably one of the most tenacious campaigners and believers in what public schools could be that I've ever met.

It was an honor to volunteer on his campaign.

While I admit I still need to do my homework on the school board candidates, I'm leaning toward Jeanne Davis. I've had a chance to read her issues page and think she's got the right idea.

I would persuade her to be more open-minded on charter schools though. To me, charter schools should be approved by the local school district only because these are the people on the ground that know what the local community needs.

I hope that if a program like KIPP came along, it wouldn't be thrown out just because it has the label of being a charter school.

Take a look at the lowest API performers and tell me you wouldn't support a program like KIPP to come in and go after the most underserved groups in Simi Valley? It's rigor and results are clearly top choice.

Scott can you tell us more about KIPP. What does KIPP stand for? Which underserved groups are represented by KIPP and why is KIPP important to the Simi Community. I am keeping an open mind and would like more information. Thank you, Tim Camarillo.

Good Question. Feel free to click on my name above and take a look at the school style itself. Also, feel free to google news search it too just to see what type of current things are going on in this program.

KIPP stands for Knowledge is Power program is oriented around aiming at low graduation rate areas and getting these hardworking kids into college through rigorous study and demanding commitments. They also demand hard work from teachers as well.

I recently read a study about how kids are bored in school with curriculum watered down and learning things that really don't apply to their future. They want more and I want more.

Take a look at the commitment to excellence form that students and teacher must commit to in the program.

These types of charter schools should be in every community keeping the public school system acocuntable and competitive. Competition brings out the very best in people and it's been proven that charter schools improve the entire local school system...

"Below is a sample Commitment to Excellence form.

TEACHERS' COMMITMENT
We fully commit to KIPP in the following ways:
: We will arrive at KIPP every day by 7:15 A.M. (Monday-Friday).
: We will remain at KIPP until 5:00 P.M. (Monday -Thursday) and 4:00 P.M. on Friday.
: We will come to KIPP on appropriate Saturdays at 9:15 A.M. and remain until 1:05 P.M.
: We will teach at KIPP during the summer.
: We will always teach in the best way we know how and we will do whatever it takes for our students to learn.
: We will always make ourselves available to students and parents, and address any concerns they might have.
: We will always protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom.
Failure to adhere to these commitments can lead to our removal from KIPP.
X __________________________________________________________
Please print name(s) here.

PARENTS'/GUARDIANS' COMMITMENT
We fully commit to KIPP in the following ways:
: We will make sure our child arrives at KIPP every day by 7:25 A.M. (Monday-Friday) or boards a KIPP bus at the scheduled time.
: We will make arrangements so our child can remain at KIPP until 5:00 P.M. (Monday - Thursday) and 4:00 P.M. on Friday.
: We will make arrangements for our child to come to KIPP on appropriate Saturdays at 9:15 A.M. and remain until 1:05 P.M.
: We will ensure that our child attends KIPP summer school.
: We will always help our child in the best way we know how and we will do whatever it takes for him/her to learn. This also means that
we will check our child's homework every night, let him/her call the teacher if there is a problem with the homework, and try to read with him/her every night.
: We will always make ourselves available to our children and the school, and address any concerns they might have. This also means that if our child is going to miss school, we will notify the teacher as soon as possible, and we will carefully read any and all papers that
the school sends home to us.
: We will allow our child to go on KIPP field trips.
: We will make sure our child follows the KIPP dress code.
: We understand that our child must follow the KIPP rules so as to protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom. We, not the school, are responsible for the behavior and actions of our child.
Failure to adhere to these commitments can cause my child to lose various KIPP privileges and can lead to my child returning to his/her
home school.
X __________________________________________________________
Please print name(s) here.

STUDENT'S COMMITMENT
I fully commit to KIPP in the following ways:
: I will arrive at KIPP every day by 7:25 A.M. (Monday-Friday) or board a KIPP bus at the correct time.
: I will remain at KIPP until 5:00 P.M. (Monday - Thursday) and 4:00 P.M. on Friday.
: I will come to KIPP on appropriate Saturdays at 9:15 A.M. and remain until 1:05 P.M.
: I will attend KIPP during summer school.
: I will always work, think, and behave in the best way I know how, and I will do whatever it takes for me and my fellow students to learn.
This also means that I will complete all my homework every night, I will call my teachers if I have a problem with the homework or a problem with coming to school, and I will raise my hand and ask questions in class if I do not understand something.
: I will always make myself available to parents and teachers, and address any concerns they might have. If I make a mistake, this means
I will tell the truth to my teachers and accept responsibility for my actions.
: I will always behave so as to protect the safety, interests, and rights of all individuals in the classroom. This also means that I will
always listen to all my KIPP teammates and give everyone my respect.
: I will follow the KIPP dress code.
: I am responsible for my own behavior, and I will follow the teachers' directions.
Failure to adhere to these commitments can cause me to lose various KIPP privileges and can lead to returning to my home school.
X ____________________________________________________________
Please print name here. "

There is someone at the district in charge of the energy savings program. If anyone knows his name and contact info please post it.

If it is a portable there might be someone in it during the weekend, a large building might have practice of some sort ( Volleyball, basketball, band, drama, etc.) but feel free to check into it by letting the energy czar know. He is fighting hard to keep costs down.

Thank you Scott for the information. It will give me something to think about this weekend.

I KNOW MY BROTHER RAYMOND CRUZ IS THE BEST ,WE ARE IN NEW YORK CITY VOTING FOR YOU HERE AND HOPING YOU WIN MY BROTHER YOU DESERVE IT AND VENTURA COUNTY WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED.

Is your brother proud to be a Republican? He sent a mailer out to my home pretending to be a Democrat.