Four Simi Valley school board candidates squared off on school safety, facilities, and budget priorities as two trustee seats head to the ballot.
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Four candidates for two Simi Valley Unified School District governing board seats laid out different visions for school resource officers, facility funding, and potential budget cuts at a forum hosted by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 30.
Brian Dennert moderated the discussion. Voters will decide both seats on Nov. 3.
In Trustee Area D, appointed incumbent Stephen Pietrolungo faces James Greenfield. In Trustee Area E, Jodi Lewis and Ryan Rosuck are competing for the seat now held by Dawn Smollen, whose term is about to expire.
The district operates 28 schools and enrolled more than 15,000 students in 2025-26, according to district and state education data.
Greenfield, a division operations manager at LA Sanitation who has worked for the city of Los Angeles for more than 30 years, called himself "a needed outsider." He cited declining enrollment, low proficiency rates, and shrinking cash reserves. He has lived in Simi Valley for six years and served as an adjunct professor at Pierce College.
Pietrolungo, known to many as Dr. P, said he has 48 years in education. He has worked as an agriculture teacher and served as principal at Simi Valley High School, Hillside Middle School, and Monte Vista.
Lewis, a lifelong Simi resident, said she has volunteered for about 15 years, including as board chair of the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley. She is president of the Simi Valley Football Booster Club, according to her campaign website.
Rosuck has 22 years in public education, 20 of them in the classroom. She is now a middle school administrator. She grew up in Simi Valley schools and has a child in a district elementary school.
School resource officers
Asked how many school resource officers the district needs, Pietrolungo said the two now on staff work four days a week, leaving one on duty Mondays and Fridays. He said the district needs at least four and that he sits on a committee with the city working to determine the right number and funding sources.
Lewis said she believes the district needs five to seven and that the school board, superintendent, and law enforcement should decide together.
Rosuck gave no number. She said she wants data on how officers spend their time before committing to a figure.
Greenfield said the committee has recommended at least four and that the city police department bears the whole cost. "It should be a shared expense," he said.
Bond measure debate
On a possible new school bond, Lewis said she does not know whether it "is the right move" and called for stronger project management.
Rosuck said most schools are aging. "We need to be investing in them," she said. An audit of Measure X, the current bond, showed work needs a better timeline. "We do need to make sure that proper contractors are in place so that we're getting it done efficiently," she said.
Greenfield said state evaluators have rated district facilities well and questioned whether the district budgets for roof and air conditioning replacements. "I don't think there's been responsible management," he said.
Pietrolungo, a retiree on a fixed income, said he does not want higher taxes but wants to invest in schools. "Remember, the board doesn't make a decision to approve a bond, we make the decision to put the bond on the ballot, it's up to the voters to approve the bond," he said.
Budget priorities
On protecting programs if funding drops, Greenfield proposed rebuilding trust with parents, finding efficiencies, and possibly consolidating schools and reducing staff through attrition.
Pietrolungo said the district should draw students with programs they want. He noted that Monte Vista grew under his leadership. He said about 85% of the district budget goes to salaries.
Lewis said she would protect special education and literacy first and expand programs that are working.
Rosuck said she would consider selling surplus property before cutting staff and would tackle chronic absenteeism, which affects state funding.
All candidates agreed that boosting enrollment is key.
Literacy and career readiness
Asked for a favorite book, Rosuck named "To Kill a Mockingbird" and said "every student is a story to be told."
Pietrolungo chose "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, saying reading should be fun and engaging. "It was about chasing a dream, and I think it's important that we allow our kids to chase a dream," Pietrolungo said.
Lewis named Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" and "The Cay."
Greenfield named the Bible as his guiding principle and said he will not accept union campaign contributions, calling them a conflict of interest. The board needs "people that will take the high road and do the right thing," he said.
The last question asked how each candidate would help graduates become financially independent within five years.
Pietrolungo said not every student will attend college but all should have the option and the skills to land a well-paying job. He backed career technical education.
Lewis said students with individualized education programs need a clear pathway and "something to drive them to be successful."
Rosuck praised the district's dual enrollment with Moorpark College but wants career exploration to start in middle school. She described an eighth-grade project in which students budgeted for a house and car.
Greenfield said success starts with early intervention and grade-level proficiency. He cited proficiency and readiness figures: about 50% English, 35% math, with 60% that are college or career ready. He said students should be introduced to career opportunities early, including those offered by the Simi Institute for Careers and Education.
Ballots are arriving now. November 3 is the last day to vote in person or return a ballot by 8 p.m.
