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East Whittier board appoints Thomas Baird to fill Area 4 vacancy
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Summary
After interviewing six candidates for the Trustee Area 4 vacancy, the East Whittier City School District Governing Board voted to appoint Thomas Baird as the provisional board member; the Oath of Office will be administered at the regular 6:00 p.m. meeting.
The East Whittier City School District Governing Board on Tuesday appointed Thomas Baird as the provisional Trustee for Area 4 after interviewing six applicants.
Thomas Baird, a licensed clinical social worker who said he has more than eight years of experience in education and social services, told the board he would bring a "student-centered" approach and prioritized equity, collaboration and transparency. "I'm here for the kids, not just my own," Baird said during his opening remarks.
Board members deliberated in public after the interviews and then considered competing motions to appoint Miguel Hernandez and Thomas Baird. The board called the roll and voted in favor of the motion to appoint Baird; four members voted to approve the motion. Board President Lisa Michelle Dabbs announced the selection and said the Oath of Office will be administered during the board's regular 6:00 p.m. meeting.
Why it matters: The appointment fills a temporary vacancy on the five-member board and gives the district a full complement of trustees as it continues work on budget and policy matters raised during candidate interviews. Candidates emphasized a range of priorities that reflect current district concerns: fiscal stewardship, program equity, technology and student social-emotional supports.
What candidates emphasized: Ricardo Mendoza, a nonprofit executive and DLI parent, highlighted coalition-building, increasing enrollment and making after-school programming available. Desiree Quintero, a district administrative professional, emphasized stewardship of public funds and ensuring special education services amid state- and federal-level changes. Miguel Hernandez, a district graduate and community volunteer, stressed support for staff and facilities and responding to community concerns. Ms. Ortiz, a PTA leader and DLI parent representative, emphasized school-site involvement and bridging families and schools. Alex Loya cited volunteer leadership in local youth sports and pushed for modernization of facilities and elementary-level social supports.
The vote and next steps: After nominations and deliberations, the board approved the motion to appoint Thomas Baird. The board president said the Oath of Office will occur at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting.
Authorities and procedural notes: During the opening, the board referenced government code provision 5254a in explaining the temporary appointment process and noted that board members' interview notes were intended for individual use only and not retained in official district records. The board moved promptly from interviews to public deliberation, followed by nomination motions and a roll-call vote.
The board adjourned to closed session after the action.
