On Dec. 7, Bridges Charter School founders introduced our proposal to the Ventura County Board of Education (VCBE), a step in the appeal process when authorization is denied by a local school district.

In our case, it’s Conejo Valley Unified School District.

I had never attended a VCBE meeting.

Much to my surprise, the meeting opened with board members enthusiastically sharing about their recent California School Board Association’s conference, where they heard keynote speaker Daniel Pink address why our education system must prepare learners for a future where right-brain thinking and creative problem-solving will be necessary skills.

Ventura County Superintendent Stan Mantooth held up the book “A Whole New Mind” and encouraged others to read it.

It was exciting to witness this discussion because the author of the book espouses one of the educational principles upon which Bridges is based.

However, it was more inspiring from a policy perspective to observe our public education leaders initiating a dynamic conversation not only about “right brain” thinking, but also about the development of innovative ideas in public education.

My first impression of the VCBE is that this is an equitable and informed, visionary group of leaders.

Myriad possibilities lie ahead for the children of Ventura County because of the willingness of these leaders to embrace change.
Lori Peters
Simi Valley
The writer is the lead peti tioner for Bridges.