Candidate for
Supervisor; County of Ventura; District 5

An advocate for better schools, community service and parental involvement

A lifelong educator, in 2003 voters elected Denis O'Leary to the Oxnard School District Board of Trustees. During his term Denis has worked with his fellow Board Members to raise student test scores, and improve the teaching environment. One of Denis' greatest achievements has been to oversee the movement away from the Oxnard School District's 30 year policy of rotating students because of limited classroom space. Denis has worked hard to move the district away from the Multi Track School Year to a traditional calendar year.

Improvements in schools have been a priority for Denis O'Leary. Cesar Chavez School in La Colonia has a new and larger two story building. As a Trustee, Denis actively supported a bond issue which has enabled construction to begin at Kamala and Curren Elementary Schools. Within the year construction will start at Driffle, McKinna and the new Juan Lagunas Soria Elementary Schools.

Denis O'Leary has been a leader in education in Ventura County for several years and his advocacy for student and teachers' rights has been felt nation wide. A classroom teacher, he was also elected President of the Ventura County Chapter of the California Association for Bilingual Education and was recognized in 2000 as Advocate of the Year in San Francisco for his leadership to better the education of students learning the English language.

A leader in the League of United Latin American Citizens, Denis O'Leary serves as National Education Advisor. In 2006, Denis won national recognition with the National Excellence in Mentorship Award in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Denis O'Leary has also promoted both state and federal legislation which supports parent and student rights, having traveled to Sacramento and Washington DC several times to represent the community's call for a better education. In 2004, Denis O'Leary was one of five parents who sued the California State Board of Education to allow federal literacy funds to go to poorer communities. Having won the law suit, Oxnard schools can now apply for and use the community's fair share of $800 million dollars in previously denied funding.

In 2006, Denis O'Leary addressed the California State Land and Coastal Commissions in opposition to the BHP Billiton plan to bring an LNG pipe line off the coast and through the streets of Oxnard. Denis has also worked closely with local elected officials, law enforcement and business leaders to protect our community.

An author fluent in Spanish, Denis has written several short stories and articles in English and Spanish in publications throughout the United States, Europe and South America.

Denis O'Leary graduated from high school in 1979 as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile where he met his wife, Viviana. Married in 1986, Denis and Viviana have three sons, all of which attend Oxnard public schools.

A teacher dedicated to student achievement and community service, Denis teaches Life Skills at Rio Vista Middle School in the Rio School District.

As our new Supervisor, Denis O'Leary will continue to serve and better our community.