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Focus on Education - January 2026

posted on 1/26/2026 4:06:00 PM

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Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

January 2026

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Focus on Education provides news about Ventura County public schools for families and educators. It is published by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE).

Join us for the 2026 Equity Conference

Help remove barriers to learning and expand opportunities for all students by attending the 6th annual VCOE Equity conference on Tuesday, March 24, in Camarillo.

Attendees will get to choose from a variety of sessions on supporting immigrant families, meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ students, civic engagement, and much more. This year's conference will feature an inspiring address from educator Monique Nunes, the First Lady of California Lutheran University.

Complimentary refreshments and language interpretation will be provided. Register for free by clicking here.

Attend the Equity Conference

Students Invited: Hackathon by the Sea

Ventura County high school students are invited to sign up for Part 2 of the VCOE Hackathon by the Sea on April 16 in Camarillo. Students will work in teams to win epic prizes and connect with college mentors.

No prior participation is required, as the event is designed as an accessible entry point for any student interested in technology and solving real-world problems. Sign up here for this amazing hands-on experience between now and January 23.

Volunteer as a Hackathon Mentor

We're also looking for adult mentors to inspire Hackathon participants and help them bring their ideas to life. If you'd like to be part of this fun, educational event, click here to register as a mentor.

Good News in State Education Budget

Governor Newsom’s proposed 2026-27 state budget includes strong support for public schools. The recently released plan calls for increasing TK-12 funding by $21.7 billion over three years, including a $509 million increase for special education. The proposed budget would bring overall per student funding to a record $27,418. However, school districts still face ongoing challenges of declining enrollment, increasing expenses, and potential cuts at the federal level.

The state budget proposal will undergo changes over the next few months until it’s formally adopted in June. Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, shares his thoughts on the proposed budget in this column that appeared in the Ventura County Star.

Read Dr. Morales's Op-Ed

Olympians Inspire Wellness Peers

Ventura County middle and high school students who volunteer at their campus Wellness Centers got a big treat at a recent training at VCOE. A group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes were on hand to share their inspiring personal stories about the obstacles they overcame to achieve their dreams.

Blind Paralympic track-and-field medalist Isaac Jean-Paul delivered a moving keynote speech and then joined fellow athletes Katrina Young, Juan Angulo, and Jason Richardson for a series of breakout sessions. Click here to check out a video montage of the day.

Watch the Video

Civic Tour for Students on February 4

Ventura County students have a wonderful opportunity to learn about local government and how to become more civically engaged in their communities. VCOE is inviting educators to register students in grades 6-12 for our next Civic Tour, which takes place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

This full day field trip will include visits to local colleges and city halls and presentations from a variety of community leaders. Registration is available here, and questions can be directed to skrone@vcoe.org, jkoenig@vcoe.org, or csalas@vcoe.org.

School Board Recognition Month

January is School Board Recognition Month, a time to celebrate the dedicated members of our community who give their time and effort to benefit Ventura County schools.

There are about 100 people who serve on school boards at districts throughout Ventura County. Here at VCOE, we'd like to give special thanks to the members of our Ventura County Board of Education, who play an important role in the public school system by supporting VCOE programs and ruling on inter-district transfer appeals.

Please join us in thanking our board members: Dr. Ramon Flores, Arleigh Kidd, Richard Lucas III, Mike Teasdale, and Rachel Ulrich. You can learn more about them and the functions of the board at www.vcoe.org/boe.

Safe Schools & Human Trafficking Summit

Help put an end to human trafficking by joining us for the Safe Schools & Human Trafficking Summit on Friday, January 30, in Camarillo. This powerful and informative conference for Ventura County educators and community organizations is designed to strengthen awareness, deepen understanding, and support students who may be at risk of human trafficking. There is no cost to attend and registration is available here.

Strengthen Your Social Emotional Muscle

VCOE is hosting a fun, interactive workshop to help educators, families, and students build stronger relationships. The SEL Muscle Mastery workshop will be led by author and educator Lori Woodley-Langendorff, the CEO and founder of All It Takes. The event is set for Wednesday, January 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM in the VCOE conference center. All the details and free registration are available here.

Click Here to Register

You can learn more about Lori and her approach to social emotional literacy in the new episode of the VCOE Focus on Education Podcast.

Watch the Podcast

Removing Barriers for Wellness at Rio SD

VCOE’s work to support student wellness in the Rio School District is featured in a wonderful new video that highlights our efforts to make students feel safe, supported, and understood, so they are ready to learn. It includes interviews with VCOE's Chris Ridge, Director of Comprehensive Health and Prevention Programs, and Rio staff members who are collaborating to make student wellness a priority.

Watch the Video

Science Fair Volunteers Needed

The 2026 Ventura County Science Fair is coming up on Friday, March 20, and we are in need of volunteer judges to make it an impactful event for students. Volunteer training will be provided and breakfast and lunch will be served.

If you’re interested in volunteering or know someone who might be, click here for more information.

AI Training for CTE Instruction

Local CTE educators are invited to learn to use AI to help design inclusive instruction on February 19th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm in Camarillo. This workshop will provide tools to make instructional design more efficient and more effective, without adding complexity. Click here to register for training.

Upcoming Events and Workshops

The Ventura County Office of Education and its partners present a wide variety of workshops and events for educators, families, and community members. Some upcoming offerings are below, and you can browse our full calendar of events at vcoe.k12oms.org.