OXNARD : School Board Chief Cites Challenges

The newly elected president of the Oxnard Elementary School District’s board of trustees has identified the district’s financial health and growing enrollment as the two key issues she expects to face during her term.

Mary Barreto, who was first elected a trustee two years ago, was selected by her fellow trustees Wednesday to serve a one-year term as the board’s president. She succeeds Jean Harris, a nine-year trustee who chose not to seek another term on the board this year.

Newcomers Susan Alvarez and Dorothie Sterling were sworn in. Alvarez was elected to her first term last month, while Sterling rejoins the board after a two-year absence. Trustee Jim Suter was named the clerk of the board at the same meeting. Jack Fowler is the fifth member of the board.

After her selection as president, Barreto predicted that the district’s continuing growth will present a challenge to the board this year as it decides whether expansion should occur first at the elementary or middle school level.

Barreto also said she hopes to improve communication among the Hueneme, El Rio and Oxnard elementary districts, the Oxnard Union High School District and the Ventura Unified School District.