Today, the Ventura Unified School District Board of Education gathered at a special meeting and Superintendent Michael Babb was relieved of his duties in a 4-to-1 vote.

The Ventura USD Board of Education President Velma Lomax sent an email to the Ventura USD staff at 7:51 p.m. The message reads as follows:

“Evening VUSD staff;

The Ventura Unified School District Board of Education wants to announce that on March 1, 2017, with a vote of 4-1 the Board decided to relieve Superintendent Dr. Michael Babb of his duties. Effective immediately, Dr. Babb will be placed on administrative leave. Making a decision such as this is one of the most difficult that a board undertakes. Please rest assured the Board will do everything possible to make this transition a smooth one. Joseph Richards, Deputy Superintendent will lead the District until an interim Superintendent is appointed.

A special board meeting will take place next week to finalize the next steps.

Velma Lomax, President

Ventura Unified School District Board of Education”

School Board member Sabrena Rodrigez is the mother of Foothill Dragon Press Editor-in-Chief Bella Bobrow. Bobrow was not involved in writing or editing this article.

The article was changed at 9:47 p.m., changing the word “fired” in the headline and article to “relieved of duties.”