By Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

The first week of November isn’t one we’ll soon forget in Ventura County. On the same morning we were digesting the results of the bitterly contested national election, we woke to howling winds and hoped there would be nothing to spark a fire while the Santa Anas blew. But our worst fears were soon realized when the Mountain Fire erupted and quickly ballooned into an inferno that destroyed some 200 homes and other buildings. 

As our friends, family, and neighbors faced this emergency, Ventura County did what we do best. We came together to provide resources and support to all who needed it. From our heroic first responders to our government agencies, schools, nonprofits, and businesses, every aspect of our community joined forces. The political divisions that preoccupied us for so long faded away as we responded to the crisis with a shared commitment and a united front.

This is the latest instance of something that’s always made me proud to be a Ventura County resident. We live in a place where cooperation and collaboration are the norm rather than the exception – and not just during emergencies. The students in our public schools benefit daily from individuals and institutions who contribute to their success and well-being. This includes countless volunteers who donate their time in our classrooms and on our sports fields, and also a wide variety of public agencies and community organizations that play a role in educating and supporting our kids.

There are so many wonderful partnerships supporting students and families that I can’t list them all, but I’d like to highlight a few. To improve access to important social services, a host of local agencies and community partners joined forces to create the Ventura County Child, Youth and Family Wellness System, which is the first of its kind in the state. And in an unprecedented response to the threat of school violence, local schools and law enforcement agencies are now in their third year of a collaboration designed to limit risks and maximize safety on school campuses. 

At the start of this school year, the Ventura County Library, with financial support from local credit unions, joined with my office to launch a new bookmobile specifically for schools – another statewide first. Thanks to funding approved by Ventura County Supervisors, more schools than ever have wellness centers that help address students’ emotional needs so they can focus on learning. The county’s Behavioral Health Department has created an impactful campaign to protect kids from the dangers of fentanyl and other opioids. And every year, the Ventura County Superior Court works closely with the Ventura County Office of Education to make our student Mock Trial program one of the best in the country. 

The Ventura County P-20 Council is another example of what makes our area so unique. The council is made up of key decision-makers in education, government, business, and the nonprofit sector who work to expand educational opportunities and address issues facing our schools. Earlier this year, P-20 partnered with Housing Trust Fund Ventura County to explore solutions to the housing affordability crisis that’s making it hard for schools to recruit teachers and other employees.

In all of these ways and many more, Ventura County is getting things right. While our nation may be politically divided, Ventura County remains united in its commitment to doing what’s best for our residents. We are a diverse community and come from all walks of life, but share a common goal of making this the best place to live in America. I believe we are already on that path and can serve as a model for other communities throughout the country. With the Thanksgiving season upon us, I want to express my gratitude to everyone who works to make Ventura County the special place it is. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.