Election 2005 School board’s Gordon Whitehead builds trust
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Gordon Whitehead

“High Standards Always the Rule For Our Schools” is more than just a catchy slogan emblazoned on a clever marketing tool—a school ruler—for Gordon Whitehead, current president of the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education, who is seeking reelection on Nov. 8.

Whitehead is one of two incumbents running for three school board seats in the Nov. 8 election. Longtime school board member Judy Jordan did not file for reelection.

Whitehead’s mission is to raise the standards and academic achievements for all students in the district. He hopes to continue the work he’s developed over his four years as a board member.

Whitehead wants to increase academic rigor in all classes, but also support students through additional services, such as counseling. He’d also like to focus more on character education and hopes to “greatly improve” the school district’s technology.

During his first board term, Whitehead said he’s most proud of “building trust and respect among teachers, staff, parents and students.”

Whitehead has the support of many influential community members, including the current school board and every city council member in Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Westlake Village.

“Gordon does bring budgetary insight and experience that is valuable,” said Terilyn Finders, a school board member. “Additionally, his decisions are always anchored in our students’ best interests.”

Whitehead said his greatest regret for the district is “the polarization of school funding and their resultant funding shortfalls which have cost our students,” He added the district needs smaller classes, a project he’d like to work on during his second term.

A certified public accountant, Whitehead said he finds school board work “rewarding,” and that his training and experiences give the board “financial depth.”

State funding, said Whitehead, is the biggest issue facing the district. “Our class sizes are among the largest in the nation because we can’t add more teachers,” he said.

Whitehead spends much of his time working on district management issues, legislative committees and budgeting.

“Knowledge of budget, finance and accounting has been an advantage to the board,” he said. “I also have substantial experience working in high levels of a state government, which helps me to better comprehend (educational issues) in Sacramento.”

Whitehead believes he offers sound judgment on other board issues.

“I take pride in not making decisions until I have listened to the various sides in decision matters,” he said. “I want to know as much as I can before deciding, and my decisions are based on what is best for our students.”

“We are a high performing district with a positive culture, smart students and involved parents,” said Whitehead. “We are fortunate that we don’t have many of the problems large urban districts have, which allows us to focus our attention on improving our performance. We are always eager to

“Making tough decisions is not easy, but I’m glad I am one of five making them,” Whitehead said. “This district has been very good to my children and I want all students to have the same experiences.”

Whitehead said his seven children, ages 18 to 33, and two grandchildren are the light of his life. In 1998, Kiwanis International named the Whiteheads “Family of the Year” for California, Nevada and Hawaii.