About Karen

I’m an award-winning educator with 30 years in the classroom
and 12 years as a school board trustee.
I’m also a mom, a union advocate,
and a lifelong public servant
who believes deeply in strong public schools.

Misuse of Public Funds at County Office of Education

Statement on Misuse of Funds at Ventura County Office of Education

When questions arise about how taxpayer dollars are being spent, transparency is not optional. It is essential.

The appointed incumbent has admitted to siphoning more than $15,000 in public funds through spiking portions of his pay, while directing tens of thousands of extra dollars in perks to his executive staff (including the Deputy Superintendent of Fiscal Services, who also happens to be the fiancée of Superintendent Morales).

When the Superintendent misuses taxpayer dollars, it betrays our students. Those dollars belong in the classroom, not in administrators’ back pockets. It is time to end self-dealing at the Ventura County Office of Education.

In response to these findings, I am calling for immediate action on four fronts:

1. End political delays surrounding investigations into the alleged misappropriation of funds at VCOE.

2. Conduct a forensic audit of the Ventura County Office of Education.

3. Suspend individuals involved in the misappropriation of funds, as well as those who may have provided misleading information to the County Board of Education.

4. Review the significant delays in fulfilling public records requests. A process currently overseen by the Deputy Superintendent for Fiscal Services, who is also the fiancée of Superintendent Dr. Morales.

Ventura County is my home.

 I attended Redwood Middle School and graduated from Westlake High School before spending three decades teaching middle school English in Oxnard. I’ve worked with educators and families across the county—from Fillmore to Simi Valley and Ojai to Port Hueneme—to deliver real results for students.

For the past three years, I’ve served as Director of Teacher Recruitment for the California Department of Education. 

Our county needs steady, transparent leadership focused on outcomes for kids.

As Superintendent, my priorities include fully funded schools, supporting educators, whole-child supports, equity for every learner, and strong career pathways.

I’m ready to lead on Day One—and to put students first, always.

Learn more about Karen
Volunteer on the Campaign

 LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
 United States Library of Congress – Teacher Leader, Summer Teacher Fellowship (2015); Returning Fellow (2023).
 Instructional Leadership Corps (CTA/Stanford/SCOPE/NBRC) – Founding Member; Region III Peer Support Provider and Teacher Leader – delivered 500+ hours of professional learning.
 California Department of Education / SSPI Committee Member: Teacher Professional Development; Teacher Pipeline & Retention; Safe School Bathrooms Committee.
 South Coast Writing Project (UCSB) – Fellow and Teacher Consultant since 2002.
 California Teachers Association Conference Presenter (CTA Summer Institute, LGBTQ+ & Issues, Good Teaching Conference North & South, Equity & Human Rights, New Educator Conference North & South, Region III Leadership).
 WestEd / Library of Congress Webinar Presenter – “Building Student Capacity to Make Claims and Use Evidence in Their Writing” (2017).
 R.J. Frank Intermediate School – ELA Department Chair | 2002 – 2012.

HONORS & AWARDS
 2023 – California Teachers Association, Channel Islands Service Center: Gold Public Official Award.
 2023 – California Teachers Association: Statewide Member-in-Politics Award.
 2022 – Ventura County Democratic Party: Democrat of the Year.
 2022 – Ventura County Stonewall Democrats: Elected Leader of the Year.
 2021 – West Ventura County Business Alliance: Public Servant of the Year.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATION (SELECTED)
 SB 640 – CSU Direct Admission Program; first admission offers for the 2027-2028 school year.
 AB 1381 – Establishes an Educational Workforce Housing Loan Fund in the State Treasury.
 AB 1021 – Revises provisions for housing project development on LEA-owned property.
 SB 760 – Gender-neutral restrooms on school campuses.
 SB 906 – Annual notification of safe gun storage laws.
 AB 49 – Limits ICE entry on school campuses without a signed judicial warrant.
 AB 2927 – Establishes a personal finance course as a graduation requirement.
 SB 98 – Requires parental notification if ICE is on a campus.

OTHER LEADERSHIP & APPOINTMENTS
 Executive Board Member, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast | 2021 – 2024.
 National Education Association Representative Assembly, State Delegate | 2019, 2021, 2023.
 State Delegate, Democratic National Convention | 2024.
 CADEM Assembly Delegate, California Democratic Party, District 42 | 2018, 2020.
 CADEM Executive Board Member, California Democratic Party, District 42 | 2022, 2024.
 California Teachers Association State Council Delegate | 2021 – 2024.
 Oxnard Educators Association Site Representative | 2021 – 2023.

PUBLIC SERVICE & GOVERNANCE
Oxnard Union High School District Governing Board Member – First Term (2014-2018): Clerk (2016, 2017)
Oxnard Union High School District Governing Board Member – Second Term (2018-2022): President (2020); Vice President (2019); Clerk (2018, 2021, 2022)
Oxnard Union High School District Governing Board Memberm – Third Term (2022-2026): President (2023, 2026); Clerk (2024)