Whittier Union’s longest-standing board member announces retirement after 32 years of service – Whittier Daily News
The longest-standing member of the Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees, Ralph Pacheco, recently announced his retirement from the board after 32 years of serving the district.
Pacheco – who has been on the board since 1991 and serves as the Board vice president – made the announcement to his colleagues and community members during the April 11 board meeting.
He will officially retire from the Board of Trustees effective July 7, though his current term runs through November 2024.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside each of my colleagues during this time, and I am very humbled and grateful to have been elected by the community over all these years,” Pacheco said during the meeting via teleconference.
“I want to thank all those present this evening, as well as our dedicated teachers and staff, for their outstanding efforts in bringing out the best in our student body,” he said.
Throughout his tenure, Pacheco has been an active member of the community, serving on many distinguished civic, college, and community service agency boards and commissions.
He is also an ordained minister and co-founder of the Leadership Capacity Foundation, Inc. – a nonprofit faith-based organization supporting community development and education projects in California.
Pacheco’s wife, Deborah, has also been active in education and served as an elected member of the South Whittier School District Board of Education from 2001 to 2022. Together, they have three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom attended the Whittier Union High School District.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to serve alongside Dr. Pacheco throughout these years,” Board President Jaime López said.
“Dr. Pacheco has always put the needs of students first and I have always admired his dedication to the success of the District,” López said in a statement. “We are grateful to have such a distinguished individual on the Board and will continue to advocate for student success every day, just as he did.”
During his time on the board, Pacheco collaborated with five distinct superintendents and played an instrumental role in advocating for and passing three community bond measures to benefit the district, according to a press release.
Pacheco supported the district’s construction and modernization project, which began in 1998 when voters passed the $98 million Measure C bond and continued with the $75 million Measure W bond in 2008. These bonds led to improvements to classrooms, libraries, gymnasiums, cafeterias, infrastructure and athletic facilities.
In 2020, Pacheco demonstrated his leadership abilities by steering the district toward the successful passage of the $183 million Measure AA bond, designed to augment the infrastructure of each of the district’s comprehensive high schools and also provide security enhancements.
“Dr. Pacheco’s unwavering commitment to the District and its students has been a hallmark of his tenure, and we extend our deepest gratitude for his years of expert service,” Superintendent Monica Oviedo said.
“Whittier Union remains fully dedicated to doing ‘Whatever It Takes’ to ensure the success of our students, and we will continue to build upon the outstanding work that Dr. Pacheco has accomplished during his tenure,” Oviedo said in a statement. “He will be greatly missed as a member of the Board of Trustees, but we know he will continue to achieve great things upon his retirement.”
In addition to his service on the Board of Trustees, Pacheco served multiple terms as a Governing Board Member of the Tri-Cities Regional Occupational Program and as a formerly elected Trustee of the Río Hondo Community College District. He also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Regency Bible College.
“I look forward to hearing about all of the success and achievements of our students and supporting the District as it continues to achieve and maintain excellence,” Pacheco said.
During the Whittier Union Board meeting on Tuesday, May 9, at 7 p.m., the Board and Oviedo will discuss a course of action for the future of the board. The meeting will be held at the District Board Room located at 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier.