CITY: School Districts – Pleasant Valley School District

Note: this post will be periodically updated! (10/20/2026)

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

VOTER GUIDE – QUICK LINKS:

Pleasant Valley – Trustee Area 1 – Vote for (1)

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

ENDORSED Rubin Ruiz – Attorney

  • Party: Democrat
  • Age: ~54 (est.)
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education:  
    • BA from University of California – Santa Barbara
    • JD from University of Akron School of Law
    • Before becoming an attorney, Ruben was an educator. He taught at the elementary, middle school, and university/college levels and also worked at the high school level as a student advisor.
  • Employment and Experience:
    • Attorney
    • Former Educator for elementary, middle school and college-level students
    • Former High School student advisor
  • Priorities:
    • Academic excellence. Every student—regardless of background, ability, language, or circumstance—deserves access to a high-quality education and the support necessary to reach their potential.
    • Respect for school employees. Providing resources, leadership, and listening to teachers.
    • Parents must also remain meaningful partners in their children’s education. Advocate for open communication, greater transparency, and a district culture in which families feel welcome, informed, and heard—even when they disagree.
    • Fiscal responsibility and accountability are essential. Every dollar entrusted to the district should be managed responsibly, every major investment should have a clear purpose, and programs should be evaluated on whether they deliver meaningful results for students.
  • Links:
EDUCATORS
– Louie D. Fonseca, Jr., Special Education Teacher and Case Manager
– Delmar L. Newquist, Retired Elementary & High School Principal
– Celia Martinez, Special Education Teacher and Case Manager
– Julia Rodriquez, Teacher
– Erika Valdivia, Registered Behavior Technician
– Fernando Roman, Jr., Registered Behavior Technician
– Maria Tamayo – Child Nutrition Services Specialist
– Vanessa Solis, Paraeducator
– Dawn LaRaia – Retired Teacher
– Patricia Corwin, Retired Teacher
– Chloe Gagua, Former Assistant to School Administration
– Michelle McCraken, English Teacher
– Denise Bell, Resource Specialist, Special Education Teacher
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
– Dr. Antulio Aroche, Orthopedic Surgeon
– Dr. Candice Brady, Orthopedic Surgeon
– Matthew Zavala, Attorney
– Tyler Eldrige, Senior Software Engineer
– Daniel Garcia, Attorney
– Brandon Buss, Aerospace/Engineering Manager
– Denise Trerotola, Attorney
– Elenna Yanez, Registered Head Nurse
– Alberto Perez, Engineer

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Laura Valdez (D) – Retired Education Specialist

Central Coast Labor Council
EDUCATORS
– Fran Arner-Costello, CSUCI Professor and Admin, County Office of Ed (retired)
– Donna Chisholm, PVSD Program Specialist (retired)
– Jodi Conroy, La Mariposa PTA President
– Dr. Tina Itkonen, CSUCI Professor of Education and Political Science
– Pat Fitzgerald, former PVSD Board Trustee
– Scotty Mier, former Somis School Board Trustee
– Paula Feinberg, Camarillo Health Care District Board Member and Retired Teacher
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
– Kevin and Stephanie Allen, Airworks Solutions;
– Dave Anderson;
– Lt. William and Jennifer Anderson;
– Ken and Cathy Archulet;
– Aaron Archulet;
– Emmett and Pam Badar;
– Marc Baker;
– Daniel and Morgan Bakst;
– Eric and Stacey Bergman;
– James and Carol Bjordahl;
– Max and Beth Bowers;
– Matt Brown;
– Marissa Brownfield;
– Don and Lena Chandler;
– Joseph and Amy Dobzynski;
– Camille Dougan; Katy Dumosch;
– Cem and Jennifer Ersonmez;
– Sandy Fitzgerald;
– Dr. Steve Graff, former Clinical Director of Tri-Counties Regional Center;
– John and Karen Hall;
– Rob and Melissa Hinds;
– Henry and Kay Ito;


Kelly and Linda Konzelman;
– Leslie Leombruno;
– Donna Mappin;
– Cindy Marquez;
– Beth Maulhardt, Children’s Therapy Center;
– Steve and Debbie McClellan;
– Craig and Debbie Mc Connell;
– Jim and Teri Mc Daniel;
– Braden Meddleton;
– Ron and Karen Meier, Mulburry Lane Farm;
– Dr. Gloria Miele; CG and Laura Rasey Miller;
– Noble and Marietta Powell;
– Sharon Rasey;
– Victor and Nidia Rodriguez;
– Larry Rosen;
– Paul and Teri Schuerlein;
– Kathleen Scott;
– Jeanne Sikoff, Zander’s Game House;
– Tim Simmen, Attorney;
– Lisa Smith, Mister Rogers Hairstyling;
– Carri Sullivan;
– Cale and Reesa Tolley;
– Larry Valdez;
– Alex and Megan Voorhees;
– Jerry and Joline Warren;
– Lorie Williams; The Ysais Family;
– Michael Zabarskyl
– Ron and Denise Zavala

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Ron Speakman (R) – Incumbent (Appointed)

(camarilloacorn) “Years in Camarillo: 59

“I am a certified public accountant and financial advisor and school board member for the last 24 years. As one of the lowest funded school districts in the state of California, it is critical our board be able and willing to understand and constantly review our finances in order to remain fiscally viable. Most importantly, my wife and I and our four children are PVSD alumni, and five of my grandchildren are currently students of the district. A vested interest in the success of the district is one of the most important qualifications a board member can have.

“Right up there with the thin budget we have to work with, the disruption to the education of our children caused by the COVID pandemic over the past two and half years and the uncertainty of future COVID-related issues are at the forefront of all of our concerns. As a district, we have been, and continue to be, leaders in the education community in terms of proactively providing additional support and innovative financing directed at the classroom.”

Pleasant Valley – Trustee Area 2 – Vote for (1)

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

ENDORSED Bob Rust (D) – Incumbent

(camarilloacorn) “Years in Camarillo: born and raised

“My brother and I, my kids and my grandkids have attended excellent Pleasant Valley schools. I want all local children to get the best fundamental education possible. I’m proud of my last 12 years as a trustee. I want to continue right now because we are coming out of several chaotic years, and I think experience and follow through are very relevant.

“For Pleasant Valley schools, the cost of living in this area is causing us to face declining enrollment. That is a very hard problem for public schools to handle, since a 5% decline in enrollment is a 5% drop in budget, but there would probably be no change in expenses. PVSD is already underfunded, so this is a very difficult problem indeed. And inflation is not helping. We need the whole state of California to pitch in on this problem. Our democracy depends on a well-educated citizenry.”

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Laurie Bowen (R) – Retired Teacher

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 61
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education: California State University Northridge
  • Employment and Experience: Retired Teacher
  • Priorities:
    • Student-Centered Decisions
    • Safe and Supportive Schools
    • A Stronger Community Voice
    • Support for Educators and Staff
    • Collaborative, Thoughtful Leadership
  • Links:
Central Coast Labor Council

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Jairo Arrelano (R) – Edison Elementary Superintendent

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 61
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Links:
    • E-mail: jimarequi@gmail.com

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Pleasant Valley – Trustee Area 3 – Vote for (1)

ENDORSED Rebecca “Beckie” Cramer (DTS) – Governing Board Member, Pleasant Valley School District

  • Party: declines to state
  • Age: 48
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education:
    • BA Political Science and History from University of New Mexico
    • MA Strategic Communication from American University
  • Employment and Experience:
    • Executive Director at Gold Coast Veterans Foundation
    • Principal Owner of Level Strategies
    • Former Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Navy Reserve
    • Former Interagency Coordination Officer and Intelligence Communications Officer in the U.S. Navy
    • Former Program Manager at the Naval Postgraduate School
    • Former Public Affairs Specialist at Military Sealift Command
    • Former Board Member at RaisingHOPE and KidSTREAM
  • Priorities:
    • Parent Involvement: Studies consistently show a positive relationship between parental involvement and student achievement, with particularly strong associations when parents communicate high academic expectations and aspirations for their children. Schools are strongest when parents, teachers, administrators, and the Board work together as partners. I listen to parent and teacher input and work to address their needs with practical solutions that support students and families. These efforts include establishing common dismissal times, expanding before- and after-school care at every school site, and responding to the needs of working families during times of crisis. Listening to families, creating opportunities for meaningful input, and maintaining open lines of communication help our Board make better-informed decisions on behalf of students. Parent perspective and involvement are tremendous assets to Pleasant Valley School District.
    • Fiscal Responsibility: PVSD is the single largest employer in the City of Camarillo, with more than 700 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $100 million this fiscal year. It is also among the bottom 5% of California school districts in per-student funding. One of my highest priorities as a member of the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education has been responsible fiscal stewardship and ensuring that our resources have the greatest possible impact on students. Avoiding school closures and workforce layoffs reflects years of careful planning and responsible financial management. We must prioritize resources that directly support student learning, teachers, and the educational experience. Fiscal responsibility is about making thoughtful choices, planning for the long term, and maximizing the value of every taxpayer and education dollar. It means advocating for state education funding that meets the needs of every student.  It means looking beyond the immediate budget cycle and making strategic investments that can save the district money over time. Our goal should always be to maximize the resources reaching our classrooms. Strong financial management gives our schools greater flexibility, protects our district from known challenges like declining enrollment, and helps ensure that students remain at the center of every budget decision.
    • Education Policy Advocacy: Public education in California faces unique and continually evolving challenges, particularly around funding, state mandates, accountability, and local control. Effective school board leadership requires staying informed about decisions in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and understanding how they affect our students, educators, families, and district. As a Pleasant Valley School District Board Trustee, I volunteered to serve as a California School Boards Association (CSBA) Delegate, representing PVSD and advocating with state and federal policymakers on issues important to public education and our community. A PVSD Board Trustee must remain constantly engaged with the policy and budget environment surrounding public education.
    • Transparent Communication: Effective school board leadership begins with listening. The role of the Board of Education is to represent the community’s priorities and values in setting the district’s strategic direction, policies, and goals. The Board is not responsible for the day-to-day operation of our schools; that responsibility belongs to the Superintendent and district administration. Our job is to provide oversight, establish clear expectations, ask the right questions, and ensure that administrators have the direction and resources necessary to carry out the district’s mission. I also believe Board members must be able to listen to differing perspectives and make decisions based on what is best for students — not on personal agendas, political affiliations, or outside interests. I approach Board decisions as a nonpartisan responsibility. I will work with anyone, regardless of political affiliation, when doing so advances the interests of our students and community. Transparency also means communicating honestly about difficult decisions, explaining the reasoning behind Board actions, and being willing to hear concerns even when the answer may not be what someone hoped for.
  • Links:
COMMUNITY LEADERS
– Mark Malloy, PVRPD, ret.
– Pat FitzGerald, PVSD Board Trustee, ret.
– Val Rains, PVSD Board Trustee, ret.
– Brenda Schearer, PVSD Educator, ret.
– Jodi Conroy, PVSD Educator
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
– Rosemary Allison
– Kristie Akl
– Anne Barronton
– Doug Blois
– Tim Bradley
– Hannah Foote
– Jeff Greenberg
– Marie Hammond
– Dr. Amy Jones
– Frank Lopez
– Joe Markiewicz
– Krista Nowak
– Curtis O’Shaughnessy
– Nancy Phillips
– David Reel
– Carolyn Stankis
– Mandy Stearns
– Karla Villaseñor
– Mike Wood

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Robert Edward Schweers (R) – Retired IT Director

  • Party: Republican
  • Age: 62
  • Residence: Camarillo
  • Education:
    • AS Administration of Justice from Ventura College
    • AA General Education from Ventura College
    • Bachelor’s Degree Computer Information Systems from California Lutheran University
  • Employment and Experience: Retired IT Manager at Wellpoint
  • Priorities:
    • Listen to our community: Support our teachers and students, make responsible financial decisions, and help ensure PVSD remains a safe and outstanding place for students to learn and teachers to work.
    • Transparency and Accountability: Be accountable to the community – not a political agenda. Listen to parents, teachers, staff, and community members, ask questions, visit schools, review the facts, and make decisions based on what is in the best interest of PVSD students and the community.
  • Links:

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox

Dave Fox (D) – Retail Manager

  • Party: DTS
  • Age: 56
  • Residence: Camarillo

TOP * Trustee Area 1: Ruiz * Valdez * Speakman * Trustee Area 2: Rust * Bowen * Arrelano * Trustee Area 3: Cramer * Schweers * Fox