Coffee klatch dishes on Measure U

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers COFFEE TALK—Although the group has changed over the years, 10 or so Camarillo women have met for coffee every Friday for the past seven years to talk about what's new in their city. On Nov. 21, the group talked about the ongoing vote count for Measure U, the initiative that would create a unified school district within Camarillo if it passes. The group members include, clockwise from left, Karen Schein, Mana Tulberg, Michelle Soto De Carvalho, Tina Holland, Kim Recharte, Madeleine Lindvall and Wendy Tyrolt. As they have for the past seven years, the group of 10 or so friends met for coffee and a chat at a Camarillo coffee shop last week. No topic is off limits for the women, who often disagree but always remain friends.

Last Friday, the discussion turned to Measure U, the controversial initiative that would form the Camarillo Unified School District by merging high school students from Oxnard Union High School District with students from the K-8 Pleasant Valley School District.

Although it appeared Measure U had failed after Election Day, as all precincts had reported, later that week the Ventura County Elections Division said more than 75,000 provisional and absentee ballots had not been tallied.

Three weeks later, it's still possible for Measure U to pass. On Monday, however, only about 10,000 ballots remained uncounted and no votes outnumbered yes votes by 1,700. Official results are expected Tuesday, but it's unlikely the election's outcome will change.

"I have never been so torn," said Tina Holland, a 40-year Camarillo resident. "It was the hardest vote … I ever had to make."

Distrust of the high school district influenced her yes vote, Holland said. Oxnard Union officials have promised Camarillo a new high school since at least 1978, when Holland's mother was leading the unification movement, she said.

The high school district bought property in Camarillo a couple of years ago for a new high school but officials have said building plans are on hold until unification is settled. Holland said she remains skeptical about Oxnard Union but also questions how Camarillo Unified would have fared.

"I have my doubts as to whether it would survive," Holland said. "Honestly…I didn't know if I did the right thing … I almost didn't vote."

Michelle Soto de Carvalho said she voted no on Measure U because of the turmoil it would have created in the school districts.

"This time would have been the worse time," said Soto de Carvalho, who has children in both Pleasant Valley and Oxnard Union schools.

Both women said they feel badly for Pleasant Valley teachers, who may have had a bigger pay raise if Measure U passed. The teachers union, which supported Measure U, settled for a 3 percent raise earlier this year.

Although pleased with the education her three children receive at Oxnard Union's Rio Mesa High, Karen Schein said she thinks it's "crappy" the school is outside Camarillo. Schools should be in the community they serve; a hub alive with after-school activities and weekend neighborhood events, Schein said.

If Measure U does pass, the Camarillo Unified School District would absorb the Pleasant Valley School District and have as board members many of Pleasant Valley's trustees.

Pleasant Valley officials aren't prepared for the responsibilities of a unified school district, said Kim Recharte, whose son also attends Rio Mesa.

Soto de Carvalho said she's concerned a lawsuit filed by unification advocates could sideline Oxnard Union's plans of building a new Camarillo high school. Proponents filed the lawsuit earlier this year, contending Measure U's election area violated their civil rights. A Los Angeles judge is scheduled to hear the case in March.

Soto de Carvalho said she believes Oxnard Union will build a high school in Camarillo if the lawsuit is dropped.

Unmoved, Holland said her children won't be attending an Oxnard Union school when they're older. The "bandaged" changes the high school district made to Adolfo Camarillo High a couple of years ago are not enough, she said.

"The bathrooms are disgusting," said Holland, a Camarillo High alumnus. "Nothing's changed since the 90s."

What matters is how students perform in school, Soto de Carvalho said. Her son is blossoming at Rio Mesa High: He loves his teachers, has made new friends and is getting good grades, she said.

Holland and Schein said Oxnard Union neglects Camarillo High and treats Camarillo students as though they were stepchildren.

"Are they actually going to do what they've promised for the last 30 years?" Holland said with skepticism. "I hope I'm wrong."