Glendora Unified re-elects Gary Clifford as board president; trustees confirm officers and committee assignments

The Glendora Unified School District Board of Education re-elected Gary Clifford as president at its Dec. 8 organizational meeting and confirmed a slate of officers and committee assignments for the coming year.

Trustee Paul Lopez nominated Gary Clifford to continue as president; the motion was seconded and the board approved the nomination by voice vote. Trustees also nominated and approved Paul Lopez for vice president and Dr. Dan Kaim for clerk. The board moved to appoint Dr. DeGrazia as secretary; that position remained unchanged from the prior year.

Members also ratified the district’s representatives to county and regional groups, including the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organizations and the San Gabriel Valley ROP, and confirmed trustees who will serve on the Glendora Education Foundation and other advisory committees. Board members said committee rosters changed little from 2025 and that continuity should support ongoing work.

During the reorganizational discussion Trustee Garcia explained her decision to vote against Clifford’s presidency, saying, “Our students don't all feel safe under his presidency, and we all heard it here in this boardroom,” and urging more rotation in leadership to bring fresh perspectives. Clifford responded that he had not heard students express those concerns in his school visits and defended his record of service and availability to students and colleagues.

The organizational portion ended with the board certifying authorized signature authority for the coming year and concluding the reorganization segment without further action.

The board moved to its regular agenda afterward, opening public comment and oral reports.