As an elected Oxnard City Council member and graduate of the Oxnard Union High School District (Rio Mesa High Class of 1968), I’ve had the privilege to serve our residents since 2013. Much of my service is grounded in lessons learned at home and lessons learned in school.
My high school years were formative, thanks to the teachers, coaches, and administrators who instilled values like trust, teamwork, and accountability, plus the basic foundation of telling the truth even when there are consequences. Truth and honesty matters.
I write this letter in response to statements made by Oxnard Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Tom McCoy during the Feb. 26 board meeting. While discussing the district’s budget woes and possible staff reductions, he inaccurately blamed the city of Oxnard for financial issues related to Del Sol High School’s construction costs.
Dr. McCoy falsely claimed that the district budgeted $18 million for offsite improvements but was later billed $30 million by the city. In reality, he signed three agreements — each approved by the district’s attorney — outlining these costs. When the district purchased farmland for Del Sol High, it assumed the responsibilities of a master developer, requiring them to fund necessary infrastructure. Without these improvements, the school could not have been built. Dr. McCoy accused the city of delaying the project by more than 150 days due to traffic plan modifications. This is also simply not true. The district...
As an elected Oxnard City Council member and graduate of the Oxnard Union High School District (Rio Mesa High Class of 1968), I’ve had the privilege to serve our residents since 2013. Much of my se...