Cruz says issues of gangs, drug abuse are not addressed by current school board
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Raymond Cruz

It was a passion for issues affecting education that drove Ray Cruz when he first ran for the Simi Valley school board in 2006.

Two years later, Cruz said he feels stronger than ever about those same issues.

"I fell a little short two years ago. I think I can pick up a lot of new voters this year," he said. "Issues are not being raised (by the school board) that have tremendous impact on our students. I will not be afraid of bringing up those issues."

Cruz, 54, has lived in Simi Valley since 1986, and his three daughters spent their entire K-12 education in the district, from Justin Elementary School to Hillside Middle School to Royal High School.

His wife, Margarita, has been a teacher's aide at Santa Susana Elementary for 10-plus years, working closely with Englishlanguage learners. Twice a week, the candidate reads to youngsters in his wife's classrooms.

Cruz, who is one of six candidates competing for three available spots on the school board, is running on a ticket that values safety in schools, stronger afterschool programs for middle and high school students, improved options for students entering the work force, fiscal responsibility, and greater vigilance in tracking students who abuse drugs and alcohol.

"I believe drug and alcohol abuse has increased in schools," Cruz said. "There's an increase in gang activity, and I believe safety in schools is being jeopardized. Drug use is affecting student learning and it's compromising the safety of students and teachers."

The longtime Simi Valley resident has developed roots in the education and business communities. Since February, he's been a development officer for Cal State University Northridge. Part of his job is helping to raise money for the university's new Valley Performing Arts Center, a $125-million facility that the school hopes to open in 2010. Cruz also works as a business consultant and is a trained family counselor.

From 2002 until he joined CSUN, Cruz was executive director of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Foundation.

He is also active in many nonprofit organizations, including the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, the Simi Valley Community Foundation, Neighborhood Council No. 2, Ventura County Civic Alliance, Hope Coming Ministries and the Ventura County Alcohol and Drug Commission.

Although it's early in the campaign process, Cruz said he's learned a lot from his first election.

He is staying abreast of current news, gaining important endorsements from community leaders and organizations that deal with children, recruiting volunteers to walk precincts and getting his name and message out in the city.

"It's been going well," he said. "We have a lot of people behind us."

Decision '08

Each week leading up to the Nov. 4 general elections the Acorn will profile the candidates who are running to represent you.