Backing Sher for superintendent
I am writing in support of Karen Sher for Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. I support her candidacy because I know she is an experienced, determined and knowledgeable leader with strong character and moral purpose.
Ten years ago, I retired as Associate Superintendent of Educational Services for the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Since then, the highly regarded Educational Services Branch has been decimated by the firing of top leaders and follow-up closure of entire departments.
While VCOE was once a statewide leader in the support of classroom instruction and behavioral supports for students, it is now a county office that suggests local educators travel to Los Angeles or Kern, both with lower student test scores than Ventura, for professional development.
Cuts to the Educational Services Department by the current superintendent were unjustified, shortsighted and made to prioritize his personal gain and compensation over the need to support academics in our county’s classrooms. He had to silence those exemplary leaders who would question him so he could both re-direct their salaries and proceed with his self-serving agenda. Recent evidence of his “Me First Leader” priorities is when he gave himself $15,000 on top of his regular salary package without board approval.
This election offers an opportunity to do better for our students and educators. Karen Sher will rebuild the County Office of Education with the open honest leadership that has been missing. She will invest in our teachers, students and administrators and provide our once thriving educational community with the direction and opportunity needed to regain its momentum. Her new administration will be knowledgeable, based on integrity, and follow a moral compass we can all be proud of.
Join me in supporting Karen Sher for Ventura County Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Valerie Chrisman, Ventura
Misleading math about sales tax
Re: Mark Shappee’s May 18 letter, “Sales tax increase isn’t ‘modest’ ”:
The letter from Mr. Shappee is a little misleading. Although the math is technically correct, the calculation measures the relative increase in the tax rate, not the dollar amount you pay.
Tax rate increases 1 percentage point. That is a 12.9% increase in the tax rate. But on a $1 purchase, it’s still just 1¢ more; 12.9 is not added to your purchase.
So, if you buy an item for $1 with a tax of 8.75%, your total price at the point of sale is $1.09 (rounded up).
Allison Monahan, Ojai
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Support for superintendent candidate, fuzzy math about taxes | Letters
Reporting by Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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