Trustee a veteran in every sense of the word

Judy Jordan has served on
LVUSD Board
for 15 years
By Stephanie Bertholdo
bertholdo@theacorn.com

STEPHANIE BERTHOLDO/Acorn Newspapers ÿ EDUCATION DEDICATION-Judy Jordan, right, with her husband, Greg, and daughter Elizabeth, enjoy the Las Virgenes Unified School District reorganization celebration. Jordan finished her fourth term as president of the board. Few LVUSD board members have served the district as long as Jordan.

Judy Jordan holds a unique honor in the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD). A member of the board of trustees since 1989, Jordan is among the longest sitting board members in the history of the school district, which opened in 1948. She recently completed her fourth term as the board of trustee’s president.

Jordan remembers that the school board met in a small rented building on Agoura Road in Westlake Village before the district office was built in the early ’90s.

A former teacher, Jordan said she ran for the school board because she wanted to be in a decision-making position. The economy in California has changed over her tenure on the board, but "financing has always been a problem," she said. She explained that California schools have no predictable source of income since Proposition 13 passed in 1978. The initiative reduced property tax rates on homes and businesses, changing how school districts throughout the state were funded.

"We are at the winds of the state in being able to build programs without a dependable funding source," Jordan said. "That’s been very frustrating." She noted that the LVUSD has been very creative in securing funding for programs, passing bond measures for facilities and, most recently, approving Measure E, a parcel tax that will supplement the district during the state budget crunch.

The use of technology in the school district has been among the biggest changes that Jordan has witnessed. "Technology has made us more efficient," she said, adding that more record-keeping is automated, allowing board members faster access to information.

Jordan has served on the district’s legislative committee for many years. Elected to the Delegates Assembly in 1991, she said that she’s continued to work in public policy because of her background teaching history and government.

"The state is such a strong force in California (schools)," Jordan explained. "Local districts don’t have a lot of leeway—we have to have our voices heard." The biggest issue currently facing the committee—and all school districts in California—is whether the state will keep its promise to not cut school funds based on the agreement to temporarily suspend Proposition 98. (Prop. 98 guarantees a minimum level of funding to public schools.) "Now (the Legislature) is talking about cuts," she said.

Jordan was happy to have served as president at the time Alice C. Stelle opened and Measure E passed, but she said she cannot accept credit for the good things that occur in the district—nor blame for the problems. "Being a board president is not really a power position," she said. "All members take their turn. It’s such a team effort," she added.

As for disappointments, Jordan said that she was sorely disappointed when previous parcel taxes were defeated by voters by an exceptionally slim number of votes.

"In general, there have been more plusses—very good employees, both classified and certificated—and we’ve been able to avert any (major) problem. There have been bumps along the road, but we’ve been able to maintain a harmonious relationship," she said.

Jordan looks forward to a brighter future for the school district, with innovative programs on the horizon, allowing more flexibility for students in how and where they learn. "One size does not fit all," she said, adding that she hopes for more "seamless" coordination between the schools and colleges.

Some issues, however, will not be resolved any time soon, according to Jordan. For instance, research shows that there is a rise in autism. The sooner diagnoses are made and children receive treatment and special schooling, the better. Jordan explained that Buttercup Preschool, which offers early education for children with disabilities, doesn’t get much public funding.

"It’s an enormous problem," Jordan said. The state passes the buck to the federal government, which has underfunded special education mandates for decades, she said. "It’s getting more expensive. There has to be a change in funding. We’re on a collision course, and there are far-reaching ramifications."

Jordan lives in Calabasas with her husband, Greg, and Elizabeth, one of their three daughters.