Look beyond unification
I am saddened by the state of affairs in Camarillo regarding the PVSD school board and unification. We are obviously a community divided by this issue of whether to unify or not. This emotionally charged topic has monopolized discussions related to the upcoming election. Instead of discussing whether a candidate is qualified for the position, we focus only on the pros and cons of unification and whether the candidate is for or against.

Why aren't we talking about the issues that face our children today, now? My children's school is without a computer lab. The parents have raised money for a lab, which we hope will open in January. My children's school shares a parking lot with the city. Parents have brought to the district their concerns about safety on several occasions. Nothing has been done. I understand that PVSD does not have a Keighth grade comprehensive writing program. Why aren't we talking about that? We do not have a superintendent. Why aren't we talking about what this district needs and how to attract the right person?

My children do not have teachers for art, music or P.E. Why aren't we talking about that? The district adopted a new middle school social studies book that requires the use of a DVD player; however, not all social studies classrooms have DVD players. Instead of addressing the issues facing our school district, we argue about unification. We spend time and money on unification. Money I can't help but think could have helped build a computer lab, provide professional training for teachers and DVD players for the social studies classrooms. Why not have those who believe in the need to have a unified district raise the money for unification? Taking from an already shrinking budget doesn't seem fair to our children.

I hope every Camarillo community member will look beyond this debate of unification and vote for the person who will best represent our children and the issues that face our schools now. When we do so, the PVSD will then be a model for other school districts. Stacia H. Sickle Camarillo