As a homeowner in Oceanside, a military retiree from Camp Pendleton, and the parent of a teenager in the local school system, I am very interested in the affairs of our community, particularly those affecting our schools.
So, I was surprised by Brad Tobias’ Aug. 23 letter, “Oceanside Unified leaders turn their backs on DoD, military children.”
Education is a priority I hold dear, both for the future of our youth and for the nation. I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees while serving on active duty, have worked as a substitute teacher in Oceanside schools, and am currently continuing my education at Palomar College.
These experiences have shown me the critical importance of accurate information, which is why Tobias’ letter, filled with misinformation, is concerning.
The letter discusses a competitive grant secured by Oceanside Unified School District to support military-connected students but fails to celebrate this achievement. Instead, it focuses on unrelated grievances that do a disservice to both the district and the military families it serves.
OUSD has long been a champion for military families. In 2024, four of its schools were recognized as Purple Star Schools, an honor given to only 44 schools in California for their exceptional service to military-connected students. This recognition is a testament to the district’s ongoing commitment, which has resulted in the award of multiple Department of Defense Educational Agency (DoDEA) grants over the past five years.
DoDEA grants are highly competitive. Each year, only about 30 to 50 school districts nationwide are selected based on rigorous proposals that demonstrate how the funds will directly improve outcomes for military-connected students.
OUSD has repeatedly been selected for such grants, including a recent multi-million-dollar grant to enhance its World Language Programs. These funds will provide military-connected children with essential language skills and resources to better prepare them for their futures.
Contrary to the claims in Tobias’ letter, OUSD’s ability to secure this funding is not a coincidence. The district’s responsible use of resources and track record of success have earned the continued trust of the Department of Defense. Previous DoDEA grants have supported vital programs in math, science, and technology — areas crucial to preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.
The letter critiques OUSD’s academic performance using specific 2022-23 standardized test scores but fails to acknowledge the unique challenges that schools on military bases face. High student turnover, diverse educational needs, and frequent transitions create an environment unlike that of traditional public schools.
These are precisely the challenges the DoDEA grants are designed to address, providing resources for STEM education and other programs that may take time to reflect in standardized test scores.
In reality, OUSD uses a comprehensive approach to assessment, employing the iReady program to track student progress in reading and math from kindergarten through 8th grade. Students are assessed three times a year, and according to recent board meetings, the majority of students have shown year-over-year improvement.
Under the leadership of the current school board, the district has also invested heavily in updated curricula across all subjects, replacing outdated materials and providing one-to-one digital devices for all students. These improvements are setting the stage for long-term educational success.
Tobias’ letter also criticizes the closure of Reynolds Elementary, calling it a reckless decision. However, the closure was based on a comprehensive safety assessment. The site had severe structural issues, and the cost of retrofitting the land far exceeded the cost of rebuilding the school on safer ground. The decision was made with student safety as the top priority.
Reynolds Elementary is not the first school to close in Oceanside. Previous school boards have closed three schools, including one on base, and yet the district continues to innovate. Surfside Educational Academy, which offers a flexible educational environment for K-12 students, was established just four years ago on the Ditmar campus, one of the closed schools now undergoing modernization.
Additionally, in 2020, Oceanside residents passed a multi-million-dollar bond dedicated to upgrading all OUSD campuses. The district has made significant progress, with three of the oldest schools now undergoing full modernization.
A $72 million Department of Defense Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) grant will also rebuild North Terrace, OUSD’s largest K-8 school on Camp Pendleton. This investment reflects the district’s success in serving its military families.
Finally, the letter’s reference to a “fiscal cliff” is a mischaracterization of the district’s financial standing. The challenges OUSD faces are not unique. Most California districts are grappling with declining enrollment and changing funding formulas. The state’s Department of Finance projects that enrollment will continue to decline for the next decade. OUSD’s current board, however, has maintained a positive budget and continues to make prudent financial decisions.
Led by trustees Mike Blessing, Eleanor Evans, Raquel Alvarez, Stacy Begin and Nancy Licona, the OUSD board has shown remarkable leadership. Many of these board members are parents of OUSD students and are personally invested in the district’s success. Their decisions, though difficult, are made in the best interest of the students and the broader community.
In conclusion, Oceanside Unified School District has a proven track record of serving military families and responsibly managing its resources. The misinformation in Tobias’ letter does not reflect the reality of OUSD’s efforts, achievements, and ongoing commitment to our children. The district is investing in our future — one that includes the well-being and education of military-connected students.
Ryan Ward
Oceanside
1 comment
Regrettably this letter is largely what we often see from those who would rather turn a blind eye to the miserable performance of our education system. Brad’s article included objective measures that show Oceanside Unified is failing it’s job in educating kids.
This writer calls the state’s own measure of performance – the Smarter Balanced Test results, “misinformation” and says Brad’s article “does not reflect the reality of OUSD’s efforts, achievements, and ongoing commitment to our children.”
All that “reality” is nice, and the teachers of OUSD are working hard, putting in effort, accomplishing achievements, and committed to education. What the district (and the Board) is not doing is actually moving the needle.
My reality – speaking as a parent – is that I expect our school systems to give my kids the foundational education they need to succeed in life. “Trying hard” is not something that I think is acceptable when spending over $600,000/year per classroom to educate my kids.
If your house was on fire and the fire department told you they were “putting in effort” to get a firetruck there, but the reality was that truck was driving in the wrong direction, you would not accept that. You would want the head of the Fire Chief who allowed that.
In Oceanside’s case, the current Board, including Blessing and Evans, have presided over a district that is failing our kids – clearly. They accept that and have done nothing to stand up for improving education. Their entire focus has been in spending our tax dollars to improve the bank accounts of adults, not the education of kids.
The parents of Oceanside should understand that it’s time for a change. The incumbents have been on the board for 8 years or more and done nothing. Another 4 years of the same is not something our kids can survive.
Vote Wichmann and Higuera for that change. Our kids re depending on you.