A new building in Camarillo that will house educational programs for Ventura County students with special needs now has a name. The Ventura County Board of Education last night voted to name the building the Mary E. Samples Education Services Center. Samples will soon be retiring as the leader of the Ventura County SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area), the agency that administers special education programs for public school students throughout the county.

Samples has had a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades in Ventura County public education. Prior to taking on the leadership position at the SELPA in 2004, Samples worked for many years in the Hueneme School District. “Throughout her career, Mary has been a tireless advocate for all students, especially our most vulnerable,” said Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth. “I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than she is.”

Construction began in June on the 29,944-square-foot, two-story building that will become the new home of Triton Academy, which serves students with autism in third through twelfth grades. The building will be located next to the Ventura County Office of Education’s Conference and Educational Services Center on Adolfo Road. It is expected to open sometime during the 2019-2020 school year.

Watch a live webcam and time lapse videos of the construction progressing at www.vcoe.org/mesc.