School board makes big Gaines
Newcomer elected, parcel tax passes
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Jill Gaines

Voters in Las Virgenes Unified School District returned one incumbent and elected one newcomer to the board of education on Tuesday.

Three candidates ran for two school board seats. The panel's newest member is Jill Gaines, a chief financial officer and tireless school volunteer. Incumbent Terilyn Finders, who is winding up the year as board president, will serve a third term.

Finders, a marketing professional and leader in educational reform, captured the highest number of votes. She led the race with 4,139 votes, or 39 percent of the total count.

"I'm excited, and I look forward to my meeting tomorrow with (Assemblymember) Julia Brownley to make sure Las Virgenes' needs are heard in Sacramento," Finders said. "Over the next term, I'm excited to focus on 21st century learning, technology . . . stronger evaluation mechanisms, and helping everyone in the organization achieve professional excellence."

Gaines finished with 3,868 votes, or 38 percent of the vote.

"I thank everybody from across the district for all of their support," Gaines said. "I couldn't have done this without everybody's help and encouragement. I'm thrilled and excited and ready to go to work."

Dana Greenspan, an office manager at White Oak Elementary School, tallied 2,696 votes, or 22 percent.

Measure E, the $98-per-year parcel tax, was renewed by voters for eight years. The tax, which generates about $2 million per year for schools, needed a twothirds majority to pass, and ended with 78 percent voter support.

The tax will maintain small classroom sizes; an elementary school reading specialist; fourthand fifth-grade science programs, and art, music and drama programs. The extra funds allowed the district to hire additional elementary school counselors, and protect counseling services in the middle schools and college and career counselors at the two high schools.

"I want to thank the community for continuing to support our schools," Finders said.