Charges Against Terrazas Surprise Latino Community Leaders : Housing: They stress that the Oxnard teacher’s expulsion from a federal rent-subsidy program should not reflect on his reputation as an innovative educator.

Latino community leaders expressed surprise Tuesday at allegations that a widely acclaimed Oxnard high school teacher exploited poor tenants, but said the current troubles of William Terrazas should not detract from 20 years of service as a top-notch educator.

Although Terrazas is being expelled from a federal rent-subsidy program for allegedly demanding side payments from some tenants, supporters were quick to separate his personal dealings from his professional achievements.

“My only experience with Mr. Terrazas has been in the classroom and he has been an extremely effective motivator and educator,” said Oxnard City Councilman Andres Herrera. “It’s unfortunate that all segments of our society have difficulty sustaining heroes. It’s not an easy world out there.”

The 43-year-old El Rio resident has denied any wrongdoing.

He has earned a reputation as an innovative educator at Channel Islands High School in Oxnard, and has gained acclaim for establishing a minority student leadership group that serves as a statewide model.

For his work, the Latino advocacy group El Concilio del Condado de Ventura last week honored Terrazas as one of Ventura County’s top Latino leaders.

“Mr. Terrazas was recognized for his achievement in the area of education only,” said Marcos Vargas, El Concilio’s executive director. “It’s important to recognize what Mr. Terrazas has done in inspiring young students and parents. These allegations should not tarnish the good work that he and many other Latino teachers are doing in our schools.”

Terrazas has been accused by several of his former tenants of threatening to evict them if they did not pay more rent than approved by the Area Housing Authority of Ventura County, sources told The Times.

In addition, county building code inspectors have recommended that Terrazas be charged with renting illegal dwellings. And Assistant County Counsel Robin McGrew, acting on behalf of the district attorney’s office, has said she expects to file misdemeanor charges against him for illegally converting garages into rentals and adding rooms to existing houses in violation of county building codes.

But some community leaders directly involved with protecting poor tenants from being exploited said Tuesday that Terrazas’ current troubles represent a larger problem stemming from a housing shortage.

“It points out that the housing situation in Oxnard and in Ventura County has reached crisis proportions,” said Lee Pliscou, directing attorney for the farm worker advocacy group California Rural Legal Assistance.

“The streets are replete with people living in garages and making side payments in (low-income housing) programs,” Pliscou added. “I know a lot of people who would be thrilled to be making side payments in a (low-income housing) program. That would be considered a move up from where they are now.”

Terrazas could not be reached for comment Tuesday. In an earlier interview, however, he denied collecting side payments from his tenants.

Terrazas, who is a general contractor, said he has bought or built 30 houses worth $5 million since 1978, but has never illegally converted garages or added unauthorized rooms to the houses.

He said the accusations against him are a result of racial bias and jealousy stemming from his success as an activist teacher and real estate developer in the unincorporated communities of El Rio and Nyeland Acres.

Art Hernandez, an El Rio resident and member of the Rio School District Board of Trustees, agreed with the high school teacher that successful Latino leaders can be a target.

“When you’re a successful Chicano, I think you have more on the line,” Hernandez said. “I think you need to work doubly hard because people will be after you.”

And, Hernandez noted, Terrazas was providing housing to residents badly in need of shelter.

“Some of these people are desperate,” said Hernandez, who himself is a real estate broker. “I’m not defending what he is alleged to have done, but people have just closed their eyes to the housing issues in this county.”

Those who are familiar with Terrazas’ academic track record fear that much of his good work might be cheapened by accusations against him.

“They surprise me because to me he is a person who is very willing to help out especially with the young students,” said Mena Rios, vice president of the Oxnard-based Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “One thing I hope is that it will not spoil everything he has done.”