Gonzales Steps Down From Board

Trustee Ray Gonzales resigned from the Oxnard Elementary School District board Friday, nine days after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale.

Gonzales, 42, gave his letter of resignation to a friend, Edward Castillo, during a court appearance Friday morning. That afternoon Castillo handed the letter to Oxnard Supt. Richard Duarte, who immediately filed it with the Ventura County superintendent of schools office.

The letter simply states Gonzales is leaving the school district for personal reasons and that the resignation becomes effective Aug. 9.

Castillo, who serves on the Oxnard Planning Commission, has known Gonzales for several years and said Gonzales decided it was time to get his life in order.

Castillo said Gonzales allowed two months before the effective date so he could take care of some personal matters, but would not say what those were.

Gonzales, a first-term board member, was arrested May 31 on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine for sale and transport. He pleaded not guilty to the felony charges and will appear for a preliminary hearing next week.

Gonzales had lost his job as director of a county-run CalWORKS center in August because of what superiors called poor job performance. He reportedly had been living out of a car with his wife and children for the past few months and is now in custody at Ventura County Jail in lieu of $55,000 bail.

He was in court Friday trying to get his bail reduced, but that request was denied.

Castillo said his friend decided that stepping down was the right decision.

“After looking at the negative impact upon the school district, he felt it would be in the best interest for all parties--his family, himself and the school district--to resign,” Castillo said.

Duarte said he was pleased by Gonzales’ decision, adding that the school district can now move forward with filling the board seat, which does not expire until 2002. Trustees receive benefits and a $400 monthly stipend.

“This is a great relief,” Duarte said. “Now we can get on with our business of educating children.”

“I also hope this will be an opportunity for Mr. Gonzales to seek and receive the help that he needs.”

Duarte said the district should have 60 days to either appoint a fifth trustee or call a special election. The board will discuss those options at its next meeting June 21.

Duarte declined to cite any possible candidates for the position. But Bill Thrasher, a former Oxnard High School administrator who ran for the board in 1998, said he is interested in the post.

Trustee Francisco Dominguez echoed Duarte’s remarks about the resignation. “We now have closure,” he said.

The board, the superintendent and community leaders had called on Gonzales to step down, saying his arrest set a bad example for the more than 15,000 students in the Oxnard Elementary School District.

In addition to the recent arrest, Gonzales was found guilty last year of misdemeanor spousal battery after a jury concluded he pushed his wife into a glass window during an argument. He was placed on three years’ probation.