Please consider my accomplishments
Actively engaged Board Member who has shown visible leadership, tireless, personal relationship building, and knowledgeable decision-making through the toughest challenges a school district can encounter.
I have helped
- Lead WCSD through some of the worst financial and global pandemic circumstances ever experienced,
- Make difficult decisions to maintain our fiscal solvency,
- Turn the tide of WCSD’s organizational culture by recruiting new leadership and setting focused priorities,
- Build new partnerships with all stakeholders within and outside our schools
- Set a standard of transparent communication and relationships to bravely meet the challenges ahead.
My key objectives for this next term
- I will provide support and leadership in the transition of our new Superintendent Dr. Raquel Gasporra. To maintain a keen focus on our District’s success, I believe in the leadership Dr. Gasporra will provide and want to ensure the on-going collaboration of all stakeholders in moving Whittier City forward.
- I will use my experience and expertise in effectively managing the financial integrity and strategic planning of our community passed $99 million bond funds to enhance our Whittier City School District facilities and fulfill our responsibilities to the community.
- I will continue to be committed to reinvigorating our approach to Special Education including the recent hire of a new Director, securing adequate labor support for the classroom, encouraging open communication about program improvement among our families and staff, and continued monitoring of the successful learning of our students in our Special Needs programs.
- I will support our staff to build on the foundation set in motion for improving Student Enrollment and Achievement in Language Arts and Math for all of our schools and children.
- I will work with our Board and Stakeholders to responsibly navigate a tight fiscal environment in public education as we emerge out of post-COVID circumstances, readjust from the one-time dollars that were made available in the recovery, while working to focus and sustain our District priorities of people, programs, and facilities.
- I will continue our efforts at engaging parents, staff, and community in support of effectively transitioning our children from elementary through middle school and on to high school graduation.
- I welcome the opportunity to continue to enrich our afterschool opportunities with academic, artistic, and sports experiences.
- I will work to evaluate and support innovative curriculum to spur development of vocational, technological, and character-based programming all while maintaining strong academic focus.
- I want to build back the “Pride of Whittier” in public education so we retain our families and students and attract others to an amazing community. We are an impressive District and I have always worked hard to showcase our wonder, innovation, and accomplishments to keep our Whittier community aware of the value of public education here in WCSD
WCSD Board Member Linda Small Accomplishments
Over the last 4 1/2 years
- Passed a $99M School Facility Bond
- Strategic Plan for School Facility Bond with key developments at all schools, beginning Summer, 2026.
- National Blue Ribbon School (Andrews)
- California Distinguished School (Edwards & MSTA)
- California & National Schools to Watch (Dexter & Edwards)
- Apple Distinguished School (Edwards)
- Dual Enrollment Program with Rio Hondo College for our Middle School Students (Andrews, Dexter & Edwards)
- TK-8th Grade Musical Theatre Program (Hoover & Dexter)
- TK-8th Dual Immersion Program (Phelan & Edwards and West Whittier now goes to 5th)
- Maintained healthcare coverage for employees at the same cost of contribution
- AVID Showcase School (Jackson) modeling critical program components for local and out-of-state schools to observe, learn, and implement.
- Secured $10.4M Community Schools Grant
- Support of Community School Programs at eight (8) campuses in support of our students, staff, and families via active family survey feedback.
- Secured a $575K CalSHAPE Plumbing Grant expanding our ability to remodel elementary restrooms to meet needs of our youngest TK/K students.
- Secured a $900K CalSHAPE HVAC Grant allowing for updating of District HVAC Systems across all campuses.
- Enhancing physical fitness facilities, developed 3 Walking paths at all 3 Middle Schools, secured workout/exercise equipment for Middle School Physical Education.
- Engaged in campus infrastructure improvements including: asphalt paving projects at Longfellow, Hoover, West Whittier, and Edwards.
- Playground Refresh at all Elementary Schools 2025-26
- Four (4) upgrade projects completed to Multi-purpose Rooms at Sorensen, Phelan, Orange Grove, and Mill.
- iPad Refresh Program for 3rd & 7th 2 cycles completed
- Implementation of 7 period day at Dexter (rebirthed the campus) adding a wide variety of enhanced vocational and related subjects for students: Flight simulation, drone use, cosmetology, culinary arts, digital arts, dance, and horticulture.
On Nov. 3rd, Vote Linda Small for WCSD School Board TA5
