SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO QUIT; ANGELA MILLER, HUSBAND MOVING TO TENNESSEE.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Rock 'n' roll diva and Las Vegas singer turned born-again Christian and education advocate Angela Miller announced she will soon resign from the Ventura County Board of Education.

With only five months left before her term expires, the 47-year-old Ventura resident said she will leave her post at the end of the week to move to Tullahoma, Tenn., where her husband, Herb, recently accepted a job.

``We knew it was a matter of time,'' said Miller, an Alabama native. ``I've always wanted to move back closer to home to be closer to my mother and my grandparents.

``But after nine years of living here, it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. And the board - we had a good group. It was very controversial at first as far as our different values. But we've come far.''

Miller was first elected to the board in 1994 and allied herself with what soon became the board majority, promoting family values in schools, trying to cut bureaucracy and bringing additional financial oversight to the county school system.

The board tackled a host of issues including sex education, curriculum and finances, and has challenged the balance of authority between the board and the county Superintendent of Schools Office.

Among the most controversial was whether AIDS Care and Planned Parenthood counselors should be able to teach sex education. In 1995, a recall campaign was launched to remove Miller and colleague Wendy Larner after the two board members voted with board President Marty Bates to bar the two groups from conducting workshops. Petitioners failed to gather the required number of signatures to pursue the recall campaign.

Several times, the board considered turning to a facilitator to help work through differences among board members and schools Superintendent Charles Weis. But each time, the board opted to keep working without a mediator.

Facing less politically and emotionally charged issues in recent months, the board has been reaching a newfound consensus and even casting a series of unanimous votes.

``I think the issues that were in place when the county board was trying to exert authority over the local school districts have been resolved,'' said Weis, adding that he does not expect Miller's leaving to upset the balance.

At its scheduled June 29 meeting, the board will decide whether to hold a special election to fill Miller's post until the November election or to appoint a fifth board member for the remainder of her term. A special election, however, could cost the county thousands of dollars.

Bates, who represents Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and cities to the west, said that while Miller's resignation is a loss to the board, he thinks it comes at a good time.

``The advantage is that her election is this November and she indicated she would not be running again,'' said Bates, who with Weis will push to appoint an interim board member until the regular November election to save money.

He added that while Miller will probably not easily be replaced, he hopes to see someone with new energy and fresh perspectives fill her post.

``Mrs. Miller took some very controversial stands on some issues,'' Bates said, ``but I also believe that that kind of discussion and debate is important to any board. It leads to solutions and ideas.''