News & Updates

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education appointed Ms. Alicia LaVere to serve as Trustee for Area 3 at a Special Board of Education meeting that was held on September 26, 2023. Six candidates were interviewed that day, with the Board choosing LaVere to serve in the role. Trustee LaVere will take the seat of former Trustee Amy Callahan, who, after serving two and a half years of a four-year term, announced her decision to resign for personal reasons last month.

Trustee LaVere is familiar with VUSD. She is a parent of two elementary-age children in the District, served as a member of the Loma Vista Elementary School Site Council, and currently as its PTA President. Trustee LaVere is an Occupational Therapist who has worked at various hospitals and skilled nursing facilities throughout the county. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Master of Arts Degree in Occupational Therapy.

“We are grateful to have had six highly capable and dedicated candidates for our open board position. It shows just how important our students and schools are to this community,” stated Board President Sabrena Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Alicia LaVere, a committed parent volunteer and enthusiastic supporter of public education. I look forward to working with her and my colleagues to ensure we provide a high-quality, student-centered experience for all of our community’s children.”

Trustee LaVere will serve on the Board until December 2024, the time left on Callahan’s term. She would then have to run in the November 2024 election to serve another term.

“As a mother of two children in the Ventura Unified School District, I have always held education and the welfare of our students in the highest regard,” stated Trustee LaVere. “I am humbled to have been chosen for this extremely important position, and it will be a privilege to serve alongside the current board members as we work together with the common goal of supporting our students, staff, and community.

“We are so pleased to have Trustee LaVere join our governance team. Her experiences as an engaged parent, PTA leader, and dedicated healthcare professional complements the diversity of our Board of Education,” stated Superintendent, Dr. Antonio Castro. “She is someone who is committed to the tenets of public service and who will immediately contribute a unique voice in promoting the promise of our schools.”

Holding public office is not a new concept for Trustee LaVere’s family; her husband is Ventura County Supervisor, District 1, Matt LaVere.

During the 2022-23 school year, two exceptional students, Jasmine Paramo and Madysen Hawley, enrolled in Mr. Yorke’s AP Environmental Science class at Buena High School, and embarked on a remarkable journey to make their school an official Ocean Guardian School. The dynamic duo led by their teacher successfully applied for a grant through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Guardian school program. Their vision was to transform Buena High School into an eco-conscious institution with a particular focus on a mixed-use garden.

The project's primary goals were to cultivate herbs and vegetables, serving as a resource for Buena High’s Culinary Program, while also nurturing native plants to support local pollinators and biodiversity. Their dedication has borne fruit as Mr. Yorke recently received the exciting news that they have been awarded a $4000 grant, officially designating Buena High School as an Ocean Guardian School.

This year, 13 Environmental Field Studies capstone students from Buena High School will be leading the charge in planning and executing this transformative project. As project managers, they are eager to take on the challenge. The impact of this endeavor will extend beyond the school’s walls. By growing organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs the culinary arts classes will reduce their pesticide and nutrient pollution footprint, sourcing ingredients from a sustainable, on-campus garden rather than potentially nonorganic suppliers. The installation of drip irrigation and rain collection barrels will not only support the garden's growth but also conserve water resources that would otherwise go unused. Additionally, the creation of native plant habitats will reduce water usage and promote water filtration over harmful runoff.

Mr. Yorke also serves on the education seat for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Council. Through this role, he became acquainted with NOAA and its programs. Mr. Yorke commented, “I firmly believe that hands-on, real-world opportunities are incredible vehicles for students to learn scientific practices and principles. These kinds of real-world opportunities help foster deeper understanding, practical skills, and critical thinking. Students involved in projects like this become well-rounded, engaged, and scientifically literate individuals prepared to contribute meaningfully to the world and make it a better place.”