Meet the Candidates : Pleasant Valley School District

In a rerun of the 1992 election, three candidates, including two incumbents, are seeking two board seats Nov. 5. The growing 7,000-student Camarillo-area district is in the midst of a $7.8-million renovation of six of its 14 elementary schools that is largely being paid for by Proposition 203 money, diminishing the immediate need for a school improvement bond measure that voters have defeated four times in four years. The major issue in the election is maintaining educational quality in the face of growth.

*

Ricardo Amador

Age: 49

Occupation: Elementary school principal in the Hueneme School District

Education: Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Cal State Northridge; master’s in education from USC

Background: School board President Amador is seeking election to a second term. Formerly a Rio School District board member, the 10-year Camarillo resident has been a teacher and principal for 25 years. He is married and has four grown children, two of whom attended school in the Pleasant Valley School District.

Issues: With no money to build new schools, the board must find ways to accommodate the burgeoning student population in the next four years, Amador said. He favors year-round education in the event of a space crunch, while at the same time maintaining neighborhood schools.

*

Virginia Norris

Age: 46

Occupation: Part-time teacher and doctoral student in educational administration at UC Santa Barbara

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Upper Iowa University; master’s in religious studies from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.

Background: Norris moved to Camarillo at age 10 and attended school in the district. She is a member of the Music Teachers Assn. of California and a past member of MENSA. She is single.

Issues: Norris believes the district is doing a “wonderful job” of educating students and would like to be part of that success. She is concerned about how the district will house smaller class sizes and advocates teaching basic skills and family values. She stresses parental participation and increased educational choices--such as alternative or magnet schools--to reduce the high school dropout rate.

*

Robert Rexford

Age: 52

Occupation: Fast-food restaurant owner

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from UC Berkeley; master’s in hospital administration from the University of Washington

Background: Rexford is seeking his second term on the board. A former hospital administrator, Rexford has lived in Camarillo for 12 years. He is married and has one daughter, who attended school in the district.

Issues: Rexford is stressing continuation of the present board’s policies in his bid for reelection, including ongoing improvements in facility maintenance and modernization.