Oxnard Ex-Principal Appointed to Board

A former Oxnard elementary school principal has been appointed to the five-member Ventura County Board of Education.

Juanita Sanchez-Valdez, 63, was chosen to fill the post left vacant by Robert Viles, who resigned last month after pleading no contest to five counts of grand theft and tax fraud in a criminal case unrelated to his duties on the board.

Sanchez-Valdez, who lives in Ventura, will hold the position for the next 15 months, the remainder of Viles’ elected term.

One of 14 candidates who applied for the post, she was selected June 9 on the basis of interviews with the other board members, said Charles Weis, assistant county superintendent of schools.

Sanchez-Valdez said she would consider this term as a trial period and would consider running for reelection when her appointment expires. “It’s a very real possibility,” she said.

Board member Wendy Larner said Sanchez-Valdez was one of four finalists and received votes from all four board members on the second ballot.

“I appreciate the kind of diversity she’ll bring to the board as a representative of the Hispanic community,” Larner said.

“But my main concern is that she’s a professional educator. I think we needed a broader perspective on our board, somebody strong on budgets from the business community.”

Sanchez-Valdez said she is very familiar with school budgets, and her experience with bilingual education and the children of migrant workers will offer needed insights on the board.

“I’m not just going in there with my eyes closed, I have valuable input,” she said.

Sanchez-Valdez will be sworn in Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the county superintendent’s conference center, 550 Airport Way in Camarillo.