THOUSAND OAKS : Former Principal Pleads Not Guilty

The former principal of Simi Elementary School pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of lewd conduct.

Brian Douglas Ross was charged last week after the Dec. 16 incident in which he allegedly grabbed the crotch of an undercover male sheriff’s deputy at Conejo Recreation Park in Thousand Oaks.

Ventura County Municipal Judge Roland Purnell scheduled a jury trial to begin March 8.

Ross was not present during the arraignment but a plea was entered on his behalf by an attorney, Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin Farrell said. Ross has remained free on his own recognizance since his arrest.

On Tuesday, Ross was placed on unpaid administrative leave, dating from last Wednesday when the charge was filed, school officials said. Previously, he had been on paid leave, officials said. State law mandated that the district place Ross on leave because he was arrested on suspicion of a sex crime.

If Ross is found not guilty, the school board could either place him in another job at the district or ask state education officials to conduct their own investigation of the incident, district officials have said. Such an investigation could result in the revocation of Ross’ credentials.

In the meantime, the district has offered Ross’ job to Barbara Patten, a Camarillo resident and vice principal of an elementary school in Santa Barbara. The school board approved a contract with Patten at Tuesday night’s meeting.