Compensation scandal hits county office of education

Simi Valley Trustee Among Board Members Calling for Accountability

A compensation scandal at the Ventura County Office of Education has drawn sharp criticism from board members, including Simi Valley representative Arleigh Kidd, who continues to endorse embattled Superintendent César Morales despite mounting pressure for accountability.

Morales admitted to taking a $15,575 unauthorized bonus payment in November 2024 without required board approval, the Simi Valley Acorn reported. The revelation came just weeks before the June 2 primary election, where Morales faces two challengers for the county superintendent position.

Board Launches Full Investigation

The scandal deepened when EdSource reported that the Ventura County Board of Education voted unanimously this week to conduct a full investigation into Morales' compensation practices. The probe will include a forensic audit and interviews with current and former VCOE staff.

"This has been a really dramatic break in trust, a violation of laws now admitted in public," board member Mike Teasdale told the Ventura County Star. "We need to address this fully and completely because trust has been lost in this institution."

The investigation revealed that Morales also provided unauthorized lifetime health benefits to senior staff members, including his fiancée, Deputy Superintendent Misty Key. According to the Thousand Oaks Acorn, these benefits have since been rescinded.

Local Political Fallout

The compensation issues emerged after Newbury Park blogger Jess Weihe submitted a California Public Records Act request in April seeking payroll data for Morales and his cabinet-level staff. Her Anonymous Mommy blog brought attention to what she called "undisclosed bonuses" before Morales made his public disclosure.

The scandal has fractured the board's support for Morales' reelection. Trustee Mike Teasdale withdrew his endorsement, calling Morales' actions "shocking and deeply disappointing." Board President Rachel Ulrich and Trustee Richard Lucas III also issued critical statements.

However, multiple news outlets confirmed that Kidd and Trustee Dr. Ramon Flores remain listed as endorsing Morales on his campaign website as of mid-May.

How This Affects Simi Valley Schools

Kidd, a former Simi Valley Unified teacher and school board member, was appointed to the county board in 2021 to represent Trustee Area 4, which includes Simi Valley, Moorpark, and surrounding areas. The Ventura County Office of Education provides support services to all local school districts, including oversight of special education programs and career education initiatives that directly impact Simi Valley students.

The compensation violations raise questions about oversight of public funds at a time when school districts are facing budget pressures. California law requires that any additional compensation for elected county superintendents beyond their established salary must receive board approval.

What Happens Next

Morales repaid the full $15,575 on May 14, one day before issuing his public statement acknowledging the "error." He said in the statement that he learned after the fact that the payment required board authorization and committed to working with the board to prevent future violations.

The timing has complicated his reelection campaign. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the June primary, the top two finishers will advance to a November runoff. The board's investigation is expected to continue through the election period, potentially providing more revelations about compensation practices at the county office.

For Simi Valley residents, the scandal highlights the importance of oversight in educational governance as trustees grapple with maintaining public trust while managing taxpayer-funded operations that serve tens of thousands of local students.