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Public invited for a community bike ride at the Ventura River Trail

The community is invited to join Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, local officials, the City of Ventura, and Caltrans for a community bike ride on Saturday, May 21, at 9:00 a.m. at Westpark Community Center, located at 450 W. Harrison Ave. The bike ride celebrates the $5 million Clean California Grant awarded for the Ventura River Trail.

In addition to the bike ride, a press conference, and event fair will also take place for the community to participate.

“May is National Bike Month and this is an opportunity to celebrate the many supportive efforts to renovate and reinvigorate the Ventura River Trail,” shared Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “We hope everyone can join us in celebrating this important win for our beloved Ventura River Trail.”

“Caltrans is excited to see the City of Ventura fulfill its vision for this trail for beautiful and clean communities,” said Caltrans District 7 Director Tony Tavares. “And since May is National Bike Month, there is no better way to celebrate this Clean California grant than with a community bike ride.”

Continuous improvements of the Ventura River Trail include repaving the bike trail, adding solar lighting, and removing and replacing trail fencing. Targeted improvements include accessibility improvements to access the trail, public art, trail monuments, environmental and ‘no litter’ signage, native and drought-tolerant shrub and tree planting, trash cans, wayfinding to the trail, and other various trail user amenities.

The City of Ventura invites families, community members, and local businesses to participate in free events in celebration of National Bike Month and National Bike to Work Week, happening May 16 – May 22.

According to the League of American Bicyclists, “May is a time to celebrate biking and the freedom, the joy, and the wellbeing it imbues within us. It’s a time to encourage ourselves to bike a little bit farther and a time to encourage others to bike a little bit at all. Because we know that when more people ride bikes, life is better for everyone.”

With more than 60 miles of bike lanes, 35 miles of bike routes and paths, and over 400 bicycle lockers for riders to use, the City of Ventura is designated by the League of American Bicyclists as a bronze-rated bicycle friendly community.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Buckley, Senior Community Outreach Specialist, at [email protected].

To learn more about the Clean California Grant Program, visit cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov.

Vol. 15, No. 17 – May 18 – May 31, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

Renowned quartet Gov’t Mule – led by GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes – will be heading out on a U.S. summer tour supporting their critically acclaimed, chart-topping blues album, Heavy Load Blues. The cross-country outing, incorporating a mix of headlining shows, festival appearances and select multi-band/support dates, will be stopping locally in Ojai on Sunday, June 19 at Libby Bowl. Tickets are on sale now.

The Ojai Art Center is kicking off its 45th annual Art in the Park celebration Memorial weekend on May 28 and May 29, 2022. Unlike last year’s socially distant Art in the Park, 2022, Walking through downtown Ojai’s Libbey Park where over 80 artists will showcase their recent works. 

Last year’s Best of Show, Lungala Nzalamba, returns to Art in the Park. He uses a wax resistant fabric dying technique called batik to create vibrant and relatable images.  

Enjoy the Memorial weekend in Libbey Park. Free admission. Call 805-646-0117 for further information or visit www.ojaiartcenter.org

For 34 years, the Ojai Wine Festival has served as the primary non-profit fundraising effort of the Rotary Club of Ojai West Foundation and its numerous philanthropic endeavors. This year, proceeds from the Ojai Wine Festival will benefit local charities including HELP of Ojai, Secure Beginnings, Ojai Unified School District, and support the free Ojai Community Band concerts in Libbey Bowl in July and August. Historically, proceeds from the Ojai Wine Festival have donated more than $1,400,000 to Rotary’s charity efforts around the world. 

This year, event participants of the 34th Annual Ojai Wine Festival can taste wines from all of California’s unique growing regions in one beautiful lakeside location.

For additional information or to purchase tickets for the 34th Annual Ojai Wine Festival, please visit www.ojaiwinefestival.com   

Saturday, June 18th from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

$85 in advance, $105 at the door

Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11093 Santa Ana Road

Vol. 15, No. 17 – May 18 – May 31, 2022 – Music Calendar

For more up-to-the-date listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; then Bluegrass Jam
Fri 5/20: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer
Sat 5/21: Big Adventure Duo
Sun 5/29: RJ Mischo

Café Fiore
66 S. California St., Ventura
Wed 5/18: Donna Greene
Fri 5/20: Self Righteous Brothers
Wed 5/25: Edgar Thatcher duo
Fri 5/27: Instone
Sun 5/29: Free Love Project

Camarillo Airport
455 Aviation Dr.
Mon 5/30: Gold Coast Country Music Festival

Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 5/20: Slogan Acoustic
Sat 5/21: Ignition
Fri 5/27: Cadillac Zack presents Lionel Young Band
Sat 5/28: Caliente Band 805

The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Music 5:30 – 8:30
Wednesdays & Thursdays: Bobby Apostol
Fridays & Saturdays: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays

Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 5/20: Buena Onda

Deer Lodge
2261 Maraicopa Hwy, Ojai
Fri 5/20: Pleasure, Dark Tea, Color Green
Sat 5/28: Moonily, Head Cut

Downtown Ventura Main Street Stage
California & Main
Sat 5/21: Tribal Me; Rhythm 805
Sun 5/22: Jim Friery; RubeSkyeMusic
Sat 5/28: Sepiatone

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Sun 5/22: Jodi Farrell & Jim Rankin
Fri 5/27: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Sun 5/29: Strummed Down

The Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Sundays: DJ Also
Wednesdays: Blues Jam
Sat 5/21: Blown Over
Fri 5/27: Jayden Secor

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Ave., Ventura
Sat 5/28: Carry the 9, Vacant Skies, Last Point

The Grape
2833 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays Jazz Jam
Wed 5/18: The Rachel Eckroth Trio
Thurs 5/19: Anthony Fung CD release
Fri 5/20: D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers
Sat 5/21: Max Haymer Trio
Wed 5/25: the Eric G Project
Thurs 5/26: Pete Curtis presents Pete’s Pandemic Playlist
Fri 5/27: NYChillharmonic

Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor
Sat 5/21: Goletasound

Keynote Lounge
10245 E Telephone Rd, Ventura
Thursdays: Open mic jam
Fri 5/20: Fallen Saints
Fri 5/27: Heathers on Fire

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Music 6:30 – 8:30; Sundays 3-5
Thurs 5/19: Blown Over
Fri 5/20: Mint Dolphin
Sat 5/21: Jacob Marquez & the Good Vibes
Sun 5/22: Danny Moa
Thurs 5/26: Katie Leigh
Fri 5/27: Keyth Garcia
Sat 5/28: Illunis
Sun 5/29: Daniella Cardilo

Libbey Bowl
210 Signal St., Ojai
Sun 5/22: Musical Box performs Genesis, “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”

Lookout & Grill
2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Tommy Foytek’s Variety Show
Thursdays: Acoustic Open Mic

Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 5/21: Jayden Secor
Sat 5/28: Mitch Bradford

Lucky Fool’s Pub
75 E. High St., Moorpark
Sat 5/28: Doc & Pete

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street, Ventura
Sun 5/22: RJ Mischo
Sun 5/29: Lindsey Marie

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street, Ventura
Fri 5/20: D Smoke, Ruggo, Mark 4ord, OG David James
Sat 5/28: The Exploited

Manhattan Restaurant
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo
Thurs 5/5: CRV
Wed 5/18: Robert Van
Fri 5/20: The Lisa Ritner Trio
Sat 5/21: Tour Support
Fri 5/27: Jeanne Tatum
Sat 5/28: Michael Falcone Trio

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri & Sat 8-11 pm; Sun 5-8 pm
Fri 5/20: Troy Edwards
Sat 5/21: Crosscut 805
Sun 5/22: Tossers
Fri 5/27: Colette Lovejoy Band
Sat 5/28: Red Rhythm
Sun 5/29: CRV
Mon 5/30: Los Amigos

Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sun 5/22: Teressa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer
Sat 5/28: Shaky Feelin, Free Love Project, Steph’s Rockin’ Road Show, No Remorse

Namba Arts
47 S. Oak Street, Ventura
Sat 5/21: Corey Highberg, Jaqueline Moore, Jason Brock
Fri 5/27: Listening Room Redux

Oceanview Pavilion
Performing Arts Theater by the Beach
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 5/28: Bruno and the Hooligans

Ojai Arts Center
113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai
Sun 5/22: Landmark String Quartet

Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant Street, Ojai
Fri 5/20: the Van Allen Twins

Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 5/20: Jesse Davis
Sat 5/21: Lainey Taylor
Fri 5/27: Gianna Bella
Sat 5/28: George Krikes

Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Thurs 5/26: Torena, Paralysis, iDecline, Ceramik

Peirano’s on the Terrazzo
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Thurs 5/26: Michael Henszey, Karyn805, Dylan Brehm, Luke Hannington, Ella Robles, Aaron Burch, Oliva Mucha, Caroline Lloyd

The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri 5/20: Sean Wiggins
Sat 5/21: Tyler James
Fri 5/27: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 5/28: the Daily Prophet

Rock & Roll Pizza
305 Arneil Road, Camarillo
Sat 5/21: California Space Truckers
Sat 5/28: TruckerBomb

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 5/28: Stellar Ruins Album release

The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 5/20: CRV

The Six Chow House
419 E. Main St., Ventura
Sat 5/21: TV Broken, 3rd Eye, Katie Skene Band
Sun 5/22: Shawn Jones Trio
Sat 5/28: The Bomb

The Sound Palace
1681 Beacon Place, Oxnard
Sat 5/21: Fralex, Los Ramification, Eastside 5

Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Fri 5/20: the 805 Social Club
Sun 5/29: the Vanise Terry Band

Surfside Seaford
550 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Wednesdays: Teresa Russell

Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Music 5-8 pm
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery

Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 5/19: Rising Son
Sun 5/22: the Trivle Omdobble
Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura (headquarters)
Tues 5/24: Ventura Bluegrass jam

Topa Topa Brewing
104 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sun 5/29: Casual Business, the Barn Burners

Topa Topa Brewing
2024 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo
Wed 5/18: Gianna Bella
Sat 5/21: Katie Shorey

Topa Topa Brewing
341 Ojai Ave., Ojai
Fri 5/20: Jess Bush
Fri 5/27: Mike Barrone

The Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Wednesdays: Vintage Boots Collaboration
Thursdays: LA Jazz Connection
Fri 5/20: Jen Staves & the Bluzfish
Sat 5/21: Steve and Sally Williams; Divebar Messiahs
Sun 5/22: Divebar Steve; Ray Jaurique
Fri 5/27: Mark Masson & Phriends
Sat 5/28: Jayden Secor; Guy Martin
Sun 5/29: Joe Delia, Déjà vu Too
Mon 5/30: Divebar Steve Trio w/ Jerry Breiner

Ventura Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 5/21: KHAY Fest with Josh Turner, Dylan Scott, Tenille Arts

Ventura Harbor Village
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sat 5/28: Unkle Monkey
Sun 5/29: Blown Over

Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 5/19: Delta Spirit
Fri 5/20 & Sat 5/21: the Garden Street, Final Conflict (sold out)
Sun 5/22: Justin Hayward
Tues 5/24: Weyes Blood, Sam Burton
Wed 5/25: Brother Ali, Locksmith, DJ Last Word
Fri 5/27: Sgt Pepper; Gasolina – Reggaeton Party
Sat 5/28: the Strike & Sub-Radio
Sun 5/29: Rayvn Lenae

The Vine
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Saturdays: Smitty and Julija and Friends
Sundays: Austin Vallejo
Fri 5/20: Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio
Fri 5/27: Duncan and the Dragonslayers

Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar
3500 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Sat 5/28: Déjà vu Too
Sun 5/29: Milo Sledge Trio

Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 5/19: Guy and Dave
Fri 5/20: Tossers
Sat 5/21: 25th Anniversary party with CRV, Brandon Ragan Project & Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers
Sun 5/22: Acoustic DNA
Thurs 5/26: Frank Barajas
Fri 5/27: Vanise Terry
Sun 5/29: Spoony & Friends

1901, Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Fri 5/27: Teresa Russell w/ Stephen Geyer & torch singer Mama Pat

“Meaningful Images” at Bell Arts Factory

“Meaningful Images” will be the theme of William D. Winbush’s solo exhibition May 27-July 30 in Buenaventura Art Association’s Studio 99 gallery at Bell Arts Factory in Ventura.

“I paint traditional, representational realism,” he said, “Therefore, I really enjoy ‘re-creating’ what I see in all its glorious detail.”

He plans to fill the Studio 99 walls with 15-20 paintings ranging in size from 20 by 18 inches to 7 by 5 feet.

Receptions for his show will be 5-8 p.m. June 3 and July 1, in conjunction with Ventura’s First Friday gallery crawls on those nights. Normal operating hours are noon-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for the gallery at 432 N. Ventura Ave.

BAA, the cooperative Ventura arts group founded in 1954, also has an outlet at Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts at Ventura Harbor.

For more about BAA and its programs, call the gallery at 805-648-1235 or visit buenaventuraartassociation.org.

Vol. 15, No. 17 – May 18 – May 31, 2022 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

25 years in business is quite the milestone, so congratulations go out to the crew at Winchester’s Grill and Saloon in downtown Ventura! You’ll want to be on hand when they celebrate with live music in their covered parking lot on Saturday, May 21 from 1 to 8 pm featuring CRV, the Brandon Ragan Project and Ray Jaurique & the Uptown Brothers. There will be drink specials, giveaways and as usual, no cover charge!

Heading to the other end of downtown Ventura on Main Street, you’ll find a special singer/songwriter dinner event when Peirano’s and Jodi Farrell team up on Thursday, May 26. Artists on the bill include Michael Henszey, Karyn 805, Dylan Brehm, Luke Hannington, Ella Robles, Aaron Burch, Oliva Mucha and Caroline Lloyd. Reservations are strongly encouraged via Peiranosmarket.com.

There are a couple of country music events coming up the next two weeks, first it’s the KHAY Fest with Josh Turner, Dylan Scott and Tenille Arts on Sunday, May 22 at the Ventura Fairgrounds and then on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, it’s the Gold Coast Country Music Festival with Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Heidi Newfield (Trick Pony), Heath Wright (Ricochet), Coffey Anderson, Wade Hayes, Jamie O’Neal and a whole bunch more; this one is being held at the Camarillo Airport. You can find more info at GCCFest.com.

Dreamland is back post pandemic featuring Kimberly Ford celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell. The seven-piece band will make a stop at the Grape here in Ventura for a special performance on Sunday, June 5. Modeled on Mitchell’s mid-1970’s band with Tom Scott and the L.A. Express, Dreamland features Lee Rollag, guitar and violin; Tom Buckner, saxophone; Tom Etchart, bass; Dave Hunt, drums; George Friedenthal, keyboards, piano and melodica; and Sven Holcomb, backup vocals, guitars and percussion.

Another special event at the Grape features NYChillharmonic. This 18-piece progressive-rock orchestra is a female fronted band where their music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop and jazz. Having played multiple jazz festivals including Montreal, Melbourne, Buenos Aires, and Tokyo to name a few, you won’t want to miss this two-time “Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award” winners when they play this intimate venue here in town on Friday, May 27.

Quick Notes: Tickets are already on sale for Billy Idol on August 25 for the Ventura Theater; the Happy Face Music Festival out in Simi Valley is worth the trip for Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs, Sam Morrow, Hardcastle and Kelly’s Lot on Saturday, May 28; Christine Law’s Star Goes Nova project releases a new CD on May 19; Stellar Ruins is holding an album release party on Saturday, May 28 at Sans Souci; and Moorpark’s High Street Arts Center’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music runs June 3 – July 3.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

VUSD Districtwide Student Art Show at the Museum of Ventura County

VUSD Districtwide Student Art Show Opening Reception Thursday, June 2nd from 5-8pm at the Museum of Ventura County.

This juried art show will highlight talented student artists of all grades in the Ventura Unified School District. In total, over 50 works have been selected from hundreds of submitted pieces, including watercolors, photography, acrylic paintings, mixed media, and pencil drawings.

Vol. 15, No. 17 – May 18 – May 31, 2022 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Monday 4/25

 6:43pm, received a report of suspicious activity in the VWM parking lot. The RP believes a white sprinter van does not belong in the lot. Officers investigated and found that the individual is a tenant of VWM, was hanging out in his vehicle

Wednes 4/27

 7:20pm, received a request to tow a dead sealion near the Derecktor marina. Officers responded in Fireboat and towed the mammal out to sea.

Thursday 4/28

 10:35am, observed an injured sea lion at VWM II. Officers investigated and found a neck injury from a line, but the line was cut or finally fell off.

3:53pm, dispatched to a kite surfer in distress at The Point. Officers responded in Boat 12, pulled victim from the water and transported to beach. No injuries.
Friday 4/29 8:52pm, dispatched to a Traffic collision at VWM parking lot, person not breathing. Officers responded, found the patient pinned in vehicle, but were able to extricate, begin CPR. Unfortunately, they were unable to resuscitate patient.

Sunday 5/01

 1:05pm, dispatched to an assault victim in the Portside complex. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR/VPD with the call. Patient transported.

5:06pm, dispatched to a sick person in the Portside complex. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR with an individual suffering detox. Patient transported.

Monday 5/02

 2:22pm, dispatched to difficulty breathing in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR with the call and assessment.!

Thursday 5/05

 9:45am, received report of a disabled vessel en route to harbor, towed by a good Samaritan fishing vessel. Officers responded in the Fireboat and took over the tow 3 miles offshore. The vessel was safely towed to the Districts’ longdock.

Saturday 5/07

 2:40am, dispatched to a hazardous condition at the Portside Apartments. Officers responded with VFD and investigated the incident. Leak was mitigated.

2:53am, received a dispatched to abdominal pain in Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to the call.

59:30pm, monitored PD units responding to Harbor Village for a domestic dispute. Patrol staged and observed/report the situation. VPD was able to capture the assailant after foot chase through the village.

Sunday 5/08

 12:41am, while on patrol, monitored VFD responding to brush fire near the Santa Clara Bridge. Observed small vegetation fire, VFD extinguished.

10:25am, issued warning for PWC’s operating recklessly near swimmers at HC.

4:15pm, officers aboard Fireboat issued multiple safety inspections for small vessels operating in the Gale conditions, attempting to keep them in the harbor.

11:39pm, dispatched to a carbon monoxide alarm. Officers responded with VFD to the Ventura Marina Community. VFD investigated with CM detector.

Monday 5/09

 8:00am, observed National Weather Service downgraded Gale to Small Craft Advisory for NW winds to 25kts. Adjusted warning pennants to pennant.

8:43am, while on patrol, officers observed the large vessel Gentry Eagle demolition beginning in the Ventura Boat Yard with two large excavators.

2:40pm, dispatched to a fall victim in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded with AMR/VFD to a male who lacerated his head, he was transported

Tuesday 5/10

 10:11am, received report of a disabled Personal Watercraft in the main channel. Officers responded in the Fireboat to tow the vessel to the launch ramp.

11:05am, observed disabled PWC near the surfline near Marina Park. Officers passed tow line and towed the disabled vessel to the launch ramp.

5:05pm, observed the ongoing demolition of the Gentry Eagle. Only about a quarter of the aluminum hull left.

 

Ventura Unified School District requesting community input

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is asking the public for assistance. VUSD is conducting its Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey. The LCAP is a three-year plan that helps the VUSD Board and staff set goals for the City of Ventura’s District and schools and determines how to use resources and funding. The deadline to provide feedback is Sunday, May 15, 2022.

“This is the chance for our community to help guide the District and provide input on the direction Ventura Unified should be heading in the future,” stated Dr. Antonio Castro, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services. “It is important to both the Board and the staff that all stakeholders have a voice in this process. It is a vital component to our future goal-setting.”

There are several surveys for stakeholders this year including surveys aimed at parents/guardians of VUSD students, a student survey, a staff survey, and a community survey.

The public is encouraged to fill out the survey(s) that best represent their association with the Ventura Unified School District. VUSD oversees the K-12 public schools in the City of Ventura, not the County of Ventura.

For more information on the LCAP and access to the surveys, the public can visit the LCAP website at www.venturausd.org/about/lcap.

Ventura Unified School District Superintendent retiring

Dr. Rice’s tenure will continue until September 3, 2022.

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board accepted a letter of retirement from Superintendent Dr. Roger Rice, effective September 3, 2022.

As the Superintendent who led the District through incredible gains and the pandemic, Dr. Rice worked to prioritize student achievement, innovation, access, and sound financial stewardship during his tenure.

“The last two years have been exceptionally challenging for educators across the State. Yet, throughout the pandemic, Dr. Rice never wavered in his commitment to our community’s children, their bright futures, and safety. Often working around the clock to problem solve in an ever-changing landscape, he led our District with honor, passion, and dedication,” stated Board President Sabrena Rodriguez. “We will forever be grateful for his time as our Superintendent. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Under Dr. Rice’s leadership, the District has focused its attention on implementing systems and processes to ensure every student succeeds in the Ventura Unified School District. In addition, the District has focused on equity, alternative educational options, improving educational services, technology, facilities, fiscal responsibility, communications, and professional development during his tenure.

Since Dr. Rice joined the VUSD team in 2019, VUSD has focused on equity and access by transitioning the District to becoming technology-driven, providing each student with a device and Wi-Fi when needed, and implementing the CANVAS content delivery system. In addition, new technology platforms were purchased.

Always a proponent of “access for everyone,” Dr. Rice came in and started the Special Education District Advisory Committee, the African American Parent Advisory Committee, increased

diversity in school and District leadership personnel, and adopted culturally responsible curriculum and instructional materials.

In addition, he focused his attention on providing innovative programs for all students and ensured that all Career Technical Education courses would be A-G compliant. In addition, he envisioned and broke ground on a one-of-a-kind organic farm housed at Pacific High School, Sa’Aliyas Ranch, that will allow students to see all aspects of a successful agricultural farm, including the technology, finance, and marketing that goes along with running it. Finally, under his leadership, VUSD built a Business Advisory Board to ensure CTE courses utilized updated equipment and methodologies and created a pipeline for students into careers upon graduation.

Through attrition, Dr. Rice led Human Resources on a project to reevaluate every open position to determine if it was needed or if the resources may be needed in other areas. In addition, he led the 7-11 Committee process that declared several District properties surplus, allowing the District the freedom to consider renting, repurposing, or selling properties not currently being used for student learning. He also worked to support and pass the Parcel Tax Ballot initiative.

Under Dr. Rice’s leadership, the District opened up all schools to the Schools of Choice process, which now allows all families to put in for a lottery drawing for any school in VUSD they feel is the best choice for their child. This year, the District increased its K-8 offerings by opening Lemon Grove School and expanding ATLAS Elementary to K-8 for Fall 2022. In addition, he implemented the new FLEX program that allowed multi-site attendance and distance plus live classroom attendance for each student in the program.

Dr. Rice’s leadership, professional development opportunities grew exponentially. He saw talent within the District and began an Aspiring Administrators Academy that allowed current staff to learn from, be mentored by, and shadow the District’s most exceptional administrators. He also implemented the VUSD Gratitude Awards recognizing employee, student, volunteer, and administrator excellence.

In addition to all of the above, Dr. Rice navigated the District through the COVID-19 crisis. He advocated ensuring that the State considered how decisions would impact students at the state level. He led the Ventura Unified staff to be the first District to return to full-time, in-person learning and offered multiple options for families who were not ready to return in person.

Driven to educate and innovate, he was honored in 2022 with the Superintendent of the Year Award for Region 13 by the Association of California School Administrators.