Biography
I have lived in Montecito for 15 years and my kids have attended MUS since then. Currently my youngest daughter is a 5^th grader at MUS.  I am an ER doctor in Ventura.  I have served on the Montecito Union school board for the last 2 years.  It has been an honor to help the school and our community.  It has also been a challenging time with many big decisions.  I am experienced to help keep moving our district in the right direction and still new enough to bring energy and offer new ideas.

1. What experience and qualifications would you bring to the district’s board?
    My experience is being on the board for the last two years and being a parent at MUS for 15 years.  I have also been on the YMCA board for nearly 10 years which collaborates very closely with MUS.
   
   

2. What are your two highest priorities for the next term?
   My highest priority would be to rebuild the district reserves which were depleted by a lawsuit settlement last year.  I would also like to maintain top tier compensation for all our employees and maintain the highest level of programming for our students.
   
   

3. How would you keep residents informed and make board decisions understandable and accessible?
   We hold board office hours the day before every board meeting. This is open to anyone who would like to attend. Most of the board meeting is open to the public.  There are significant opportunities to speak with board members and be informed.  At anytime a resident of the community or parent could reach out to the superintendent or board chair and request a meeting to discuss matters involving the district.
   
   

How would you balance strong academic programs, student well-being, and responsible financial stewardship, while ensuring that families and community members have a voice in district decisions?
MUS maintains strong academic achievement.  Our most recent CAASP scores continue to improve and are some of the highest in the state.  Just as important,  part of our strategic plan for the district was to focus on social, emotional learning.  The end result is development of the whole child.  Managing a responsible budget in the future will allow us to both rebuild our reserves and maintain the uniquely great experience our children get at MUS.  The board will continue to make our members available to the families and community so that we can hear your voice to help navigate this amazing school forward.

Biography
My wife, Allison, and I are the proud parents of two MUS students, Pierre V in fourth grade and Barron third.  MUS is a big part of our family’s life and we want to help protect what makes it special for the next generation.  I lead LaBarge Winery and recently served as board president of the Santa Barbara Vintners Association.  Our family is deeply invested in MUS and committed to its continued success.

1. What experience and qualifications would you bring to the district’s board?
I bring experience running a business and serving as board president of the Santa Barbara Vintners Association.  I know what it means to manage a budget, work through disagreements, and take responsibility for difficult decisions.  As a parents of two MUS students, including a child with special needs, I also understand how district decisions affect families every day.  I have a personal stake in the school’s success.  I would bring business experience, common sense and respect for both the families we serve and the professionals educating our children.

2. What are your highest priorities for the next term?
First, preserve the education that makes MUS special.  That means strong academics, great teachers and the support each child needs to succeed.  I want students to build a solid foundation in reading, writing, and arithmetic, while keeping the broader opportunities that set them up for success in the future.

Second, make sure we are living within our means.  Before adding an ongoing expense, we should know how we will pay for it in future years.  I would ask straightforward questions about our spending and support a budget that protects the strength of our school in the long term.

3. How would you keep residents informed and make board decisions understandable and accessible?
The board should make it easy for residents to understand its decisions and how they affect the school.  Major proposals should explain the purpose, cost, and impact.  Residents should have a chance to weigh in before decisions are made.  Also, I would propose community forums with board members.  That would give residents a chance to hear directly from the board and ask questions about priorities and decisions.  Families and residents without children enrolled should feel welcome.  We should be willing to explain our votes and hear disagreement.

4. How would you balance strong academic programs, student well-being, and responsible financial stewardship, while ensuring that families and community members have a voice in district decisions?
I would look at the whole school experience.  Academic progress matters, but so does preparing children to succeed beyond MUS.  My family’s experience has shown me how much individual support matters.  We need to be honest about what we can afford and be careful about long-term commitments.  I would listen to families, staff, and residents and ask whether programs are delivering the results.  When a difficult decision is necessary, I would explain it in plain terms and take responsibility for my vote.

Biography
My background in library services, early childhood education, and community volunteering has shaped how I understand the needs of children and families. At Montecito Union, I have served as a room parent, chaperone, and Garden Club Co-Chair, working alongside teachers, administrators, parents, and students. I value our school’s strengths and the shared responsibility we have to support its future. I want to help build and sustain a strong, connected community school where every child can thrive.

Campaign website:
https://www.sbdems.org/endorsements#montecito

1. What experience and qualifications would you bring to the district’s board?
   I directed library programs for 19 regional libraries, creating meaningful programs for children, families, teens, and adults, while securing grants and recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. I later attended graduate school, studying early childhood education at Pacific Oaks College and completing my student teaching at All Saints-by-the-Sea Parish School. I have served on the boards of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, the Little Town Club, and All Saints-by-the-Sea, including leadership roles and service on budget and finance, hiring, program, and outreach committees. These experiences have strengthened my collaborative leadership skills.
   
   
2. What are your two highest priorities for the next term?
   Fiscal Responsibility: The Board will renegotiate teacher compensation next year while continuing to attract and retain the exceptional staff who enrich our children’s education every day. We must also approve a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes rebuilding the school’s reserves and supports long-term financial stability.
   Accountability & Transparency: This election has brought increased attention to the Board, its responsibilities, and the current state of MUS. I will foster open, ongoing dialogue with parents and community members, ensuring their voices are heard as we build on what MUS does well, address challenges thoughtfully, and evolve together in support of our students.
   
   
3. How would you keep residents informed and make board decisions understandable and accessible?
   I would establish a monthly bulletin authored by the Board to keep our community informed. It would clarify the Board’s role and responsibilities, while providing updates on actionable items and priorities, both short- and long-term.
   Superintendent Ranii’s monthly coffee hours are an excellent opportunity for parents to share questions, concerns, and praise openly, and I find these conversations extremely informative. I would work with Mr. Ranii to remain after the coffee hour, creating a regular opportunity for parents and community members to connect directly with a Board member. I want to be accessible, listen thoughtfully, and communicate clearly and consistently.

How would you balance strong academic programs, student well-being, and responsible financial stewardship, while ensuring that families and community members have a voice in district decisions?
I would balance these priorities by listening closely to families, staff, and students and ensuring community voices inform Board decisions. I would create regular opportunities for parents and community members to connect with me directly. As the parent of a third-grade student, I will be part of the MUS community for several more years. I volunteer with lunchtime activities at least twice each month, giving me opportunities to stay connected with students and families. I will make myself available before and after school and at school events to listen, learn, and help ensure that academic excellence, student well-being, and fiscal responsibility remain aligned.

Biography
I grew up in the Santa Barbara area and attended Montecito Union School. The exceptional education and sense of community I experienced at MUS were significant factors in choosing to raise our family here. Today, our children attend MUS, where our family is actively involved in the school community. I am a local business owner, community volunteer, youth sports coach, and current board member of the Montecito Trails Foundation.

Public Contact Info: vickers.brad@gmail.com

1. What experience and qualifications would you bring to the district’s board?
   I bring professional experience managing complex projects, budgets, contracts, and relationships among diverse stakeholders. My work with the Northwest Marine Trade Association included working on behalf of and presenting to its board, providing firsthand experience with effective board governance. I currently serve on the Montecito Trails Foundation board and previously served on the board of our children’s cooperative preschool. At MUS, I have volunteered on campus, flipped and burned my fair share of pancakes, and coach teams for both of our kids. These experiences have strengthened my connections with and commitment to the long-term stewardship of our community.
   
   

2. What are your two highest priorities for the next term?
   My top priority is restoring the district’s long-term financial strength by rebuilding reserves while ensuring that deferred capital improvements and the hiring freeze do not detract from current students. Financial sustainability is essential to attracting and retaining exceptional teachers and staff and allows the school to remain resilient when unforeseen challenges arise.
   An additional priority is to support and sustain the educational excellence, programs, and culture that make MUS exceptional. This is best accomplished through collaboration among parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and the broader community, with a shared commitment to serving students today and for generations to come.
   
   

3. How would you keep residents informed and make board decisions understandable and accessible?
   Montecito Union School does a commendable job of making Board materials, meeting minutes, and the School Accountability Report Card readily available to the public through the District Information section of its website. I would support continuing those efforts while encouraging greater dialogue around decisions that significantly affect students and families.
   For example, the decision to discontinue a long-established educational excursion and student tradition warranted greater opportunity for input from parents, students, and staff. Good governance does not require unanimous agreement, but it does require opportunities for the community to be more fully heard and understand why decisions are made.
   
   

How would you balance strong academic programs, student well-being, and responsible financial stewardship, while ensuring that families and community members have a voice in district decisions?Strong academics, student well-being, and responsible financial stewardship should reinforce one another rather than compete with one another. As a trustee, I would evaluate decisions by considering both their immediate impact on students and their long-term impact on the district’s ability to provide an exceptional education. This is best accomplished by listening to the people closest to our students—teachers, staff, administrators, and families—while also considering the broader community’s perspective. Thoughtful governance requires asking difficult questions, considering different viewpoints, clearly communicating the rationale for decisions, and keeping the best interests of students at the center of every decision.