Dave Schermer joined the Ventura County Office of Education in 2014 as the organization's first Communications Manager. Mr. Schermer is a former television news reporter and newsroom manager who was honored with two Emmy awards as News Director at KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo. He also worked as the California State Capitol reporter at KOVR-TV in Sacramento and has taught journalism at Cal Poly State University. 

Since joining VCOE, Mr. Schermer has greatly expanded the organization’s presence on social media and outreach to the community. He has taken over writing and production of VCOE’s quarterly Focus on Education publication and led a complete redesign of the VCOE website. He has also coordinated countywide efforts to keep the public informed about the impacts on schools of emergency situations, including wildfires and the coronavirus pandemic. 

Mr. Schermer’s work in school communications has been recognized with multiple awards from the National School Public Relations Association and the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA). In 2026, he was nominated for the CalSPRA Comms Lifeline Award, which recognizes school public relations professionals who serve as trusted resources and unwavering supporters to their peers.

Now, as Director of Communications, Mr. Schermer works daily to keep families, students, and local educators up-to-date about current issues in local public education and VCOE's many programs and services that enhance educational opportunities for the people of Ventura County.