High School Deans to Enhance Security

In a move to enhance security at Thousand Oaks high schools, the Conejo Valley school board agreed Thursday night to hire deans for each of the district’s three high schools as soon as possible.

The deans--responsible for campus discipline, overseeing extra-curricular activities and advising student government groups--will each earn about $52,000 a year.

“This will help us ensure that our schools remain a safe haven,” said Conejo Valley Schools Supt. Jerry C. Gross.

But a case worker for Interface Family Services, a Ventura County nonprofit agency, urged district administrators to make sure the deans do not concentrate solely on discipline. They should also reach out to families and try to hep at-risk youth, Estelle Prouse said.

The three high schools in the Conejo Valley Unified School District had deans and two other administrative positions before severe state funding cuts began eight years ago.

But as enrollment has grown in recent years, the schools have had fewer supervisors watching more students. The decision to restore the deans’ positions helps meet a community demand for safe schools, administrators and board members said.