The mission of the Ventura Education Partnership (VEP), a community-based, non-profit, non-political association, is to support and enrich education in the Ventura Unified School District through community partnerships.

This all-volunteer group also fosters community recognition of the work of district teachers and staff and enlists the participation of parents, businesses and community members in the education of our district’s children.

VEP was incorporated in 1988 under the name of the Ventura Unified School District Educational Foundation. The name was changed in 1996 to the Ventura Education Partnership. In 2000, VEP went to an all-volunteer board which enabled virtually all funds to go right back into the classroom. The tax ID# is 77-0141325.

The Ventura Education Partnership Board meets once a month at the Education Service Center, 255 W. Stanley in Ventura.

Guiding Principles

• We support programs and people that enhance the educational excellence and the health and well being of children.
• We will provide external funding opportunities through grant or application processes.
• We will use funds in a manner consistent with the donor’s expectations.
• We are committed to seeking diverse representation on the board.
• We will make decisions in a consistent, systematic manner.
• We will serve a networking function, bringing together organizations and individuals working together in areas identified by VEP as priorities.

Executive Committee

Co-Presidents - Myra Nunley & Marie Lakin
Vice-President Finance - Debbie Golden
Vice-President Membership - Archie Roddick & Janis Schmutte
Recording Secretary - Lisa Kuklenski
CPA - Steve Bradvica

Board Members

Nancy Ambriz
Dr. Trudy Arriaga
Michael Babb
Bart Bleuel
Kate Dickson-Lew
Bob Emerick
Sharon Fleur
Chip Fraser
Lupe Gallegos
Jill George
Kay Giles
Debbie Golden
Carol Grenfell
Mary Haffner
John Hecht
Teresa Johnson
Susan Lane
Jonell Richardson McLain
Heidi Moon
Georgia Perry
Jan Schmutte
Carmelita Waldman
Jenise Wagar
Ed Wehan
Scott Werner
Kimber Wilkinson

Honorary Board

Fred Alvarez
Indy Batra
Supervisor Steve Bennett
Councilmember Brian Brennan
Congresswoman Lois Capps
Michael Case
Ray DiGuilio
Congressman Elton Gallegly
Dr. Thomas Golden
Ron Halt
Joe Howry
Michael Israel
Stephen Kipp
Hannah-Beth Jackson
Susan Lacey
Dorothy Jue Lee
Nuvi Mehta
Barbara Meister
Assembly member Pedro Nava
State Supt. Jack O’Connell
Mike Powers
Dr. Joseph Spirito
Ventura City Council Member Ed Summers
Zoe Taylor
Cheryl Wilde
Don Wood