The Ventura County Board of Education welcomed two newly-elected trustees at its meeting tonight in Camarillo. Rob Collins (pictured on the right) and Mike Teasdale were formally sworn in as trustees following their election victories in November. Collins now represents trustee area four, which includes Simi Valley, Moorpark and surrounding areas. Teasdale now represents trustee area two, which includes Thousand Oaks and surrounding areas. Rachel Ulrich, who represents trustee area one, and Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth – who serves as the Board’s Executive Officer –  were also sworn in, marking the beginning of their new four-year terms in office. The new Board’s first order of business was to appoint trustee Dr. Mark Lisagor as its President and trustee Dr. Ramon Flores as Vice President.

For Mr. Collins, today’s swearing in marks his return to the Ventura County Board of Education. He previously served as a trustee on the County Board from 2002 to 2004. More recently, he was a trustee for the Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education. He also has many years of experience as a classroom teacher and school administrator. He was honored as the Simi Valley Teacher of the Year in 1998 and continues to teach political science at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. As a County Board trustee, Collins said one of his priorities is to ensure that local schools are properly equipped with the technology needed for modern teaching. He also supports prevention programs that promote safe and healthy learning environments.

Mr. Teasdale is a former elementary and high school teacher and university lecturer. He also worked for twelve years as Senior Director, Operational Excellence and Strategy at Baxter International, a major medical products company. Since his retirement, Mr. Teasdale has been an active community volunteer. He is currently the Co-Chair of the Social Justice Fund for Ventura County, which provides grants to Ventura County youth organizations. Mr. Teasdale said his goals as a trustee include expanding apprenticeship opportunities, increasing funding for special education programs and keeping students safe from violence and bullying.

Mr. Collins replaces Dean Kunicki, who served as a trustee for 14 years. Mr. Teasdale replaces Marty Bates, who was a trustee for 24 years. “I want to thank Mr. Kunicki and Mr. Bates for their years of dedicated service and acknowledge their many contributions to the students of Ventura County,” said Superintendent Mantooth. “I’m confident the newly composed County Board of Education will continue to advocate for the needs of our students and work to expand educational opportunity in Ventura County,” he said.

More about the Ventura County Board of Education 

The Ventura County Board of Education’s five elected trustees and Executive Officer provide support for educational programs operated by the Ventura County Office of Education as well as the county’s twenty local school districts. The Board also rules on appeals of student expulsions and inter-district transfers. Additional information about the Board is available at www.vcoe.org/boe.