> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.whittierinformed.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 2026 Election Guide: East Whittier City School District, Trustee Area 4 - URL: https://www.whittierinformed.com/2026-election-guide-east-whittier-city-school-district-trustee-area-4/ - Published: 2026-10-16T16:56:01.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-16T16:56:01.000Z - Description: Appointed incumbent Thomas Baird faces challenger Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. in the November 3 election. - Author: Staff Report - Tags: Elections, East Whittier City School District, School Board Voters in Trustee Area 4 of the East Whittier City School District will choose between incumbent Thomas Baird and challenger Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. in the November 3 election. Baird was appointed to the school board in March 2026. Whittier Informed invited both candidates to answer five questions about district priorities, academic performance, spending decisions and accountability. Both candidates received the same questions, with a requested limit of 100 words per response. ## Meet the candidates The following candidate profiles are based on statements submitted by the candidates and published by the [Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.](https://apps.lavote.gov/candidate-statements?ref=whittierinformed.com) ### Thomas Baird — Incumbent Thomas Baird is a social worker and educator who was appointed to the East Whittier City School District Board of Education in March 2026\. A Whittier native, he has two children attending district schools and attended California High School, where he met his wife. According to his official candidate statement, Baird identifies student safety, academic achievement, transparency and accountability among his priorities. He supports innovative educational programs and providing teachers and staff with the resources they need to support students. [https://baird4eastwhittier.com](https://baird4eastwhittier.com/?ref=whittierinformed.com) ### Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. — Challenger Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. is a law enforcement officer and former high school teacher who is seeking a seat on the East Whittier City School District Board of Education. According to his official candidate statement, he has lived in Whittier since age 12, graduated from Whittier College and worked as a high school teacher for eight years before entering law enforcement, where he has served for 17 years. Hernandez has three children who attended district schools. He and his wife have participated in school activities, including PTA roles and classroom volunteering. He also describes mentoring local high school students for the past six years and identifies supporting educators, district employees and students among his priorities. miguelhernandezjr.net --- ## 1\. What needs to change? *What is one thing you believe this district should be doing differently right now, and what role should the board play in making that change?* **Thomas Baird:** AI is changing our world. As it does, our district must update its existing policy on AI to fully capture the risks and benefits at play. The district must monitor and keep pace with advancing technology in order to provide equitable opportunities and prepare students for the changing career landscape. At the same time, we must ensure that our students’ information is protected, and promote responsible use of AI. As we continue to update district policy on use of AI in schools, we must ensure students and families are equipped with knowledge concerning the benefits and dangers of this technology. **Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr:** One thing this district should be doing differently right now is providing more assistance in the form of classroom aides. There have been recent layoffs in that category which has been detrimental to students and teachers alike. Several students have IEPs and many teachers have multiple IEP students in their classes. IEPs range from learning disabilities, behavior issues, or special needs. This makes it difficult to properly serve all students equitably. The board should be assessing what positions are necessary at the administrative level and redistribute personnel and funds to where they are needed the most, in the classroom. ## 2\. Measuring success *What two or three measures would you use to judge whether the district is serving students well? How is the district doing on those measures today?* **Thomas Baird:** 1) Academic performance: Our district schools have performed well in state testing, and will likely continue to do so. However, we should also assess whether our students are participating in a wide range of programs, including arts, music, technology programs. This would help us better identify access and equity issues. 2) Student and Family Support: To measure student safety and social/emotional well-being, we could implement climate surveys for students. We could also measure response times for parent questions/concerns, to assess communication pathways. **Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr:** Some measures I would use to judge whether the district is serving students well are test scores/student achievement, student behavior, and the overall school environment. Though test scores have been favorable in recent years, recent cuts in faculty and staff directly affect students because they have lost additional support at the school level. For example, cuts in aides assisting students with IEPs has already been felt. My wife works directly in the learning center of one elementary school in the district and the impact has been almost overwhelming because they are understaffed. Morale is waning across the district. ## 3\. Money and tradeoffs *If the district had to reduce spending next year, what would you protect first? What would you be willing to reduce or delay?* **Thomas Baird:** I would fight to protect our students from class size increases across the district, and insist on increased support for students in larger classes. I would also fight to protect special education and student support programs. I would promote transparency and bring parent and staff voices into the discussion. It's also important to consider that not all money comes from the same bucket, and some expenses are not interchangeable. Cutting some programs might not save us money for other programs, because the government sets aside certain moneys for specific purpose. This would be an important part of the conversation. **Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr:** If the district had to reduce spending next year, I would first protect the frontline employees. Faculty and staff are the backbone of the district. If you begin to weaken the backbone, the rest of the body is prone to fail. What I would be willing to reduce or delay is a top-heavy administration. As previously stated, I would reassess the necessity of administrative positions and redistribute to the school level. I would also assess stipends paid to administrative personnel and review contracts that were bid on for possible excess expenditures. ## 4\. Recent decisions *Identify one recent decision by the school board that you support and one you would have handled differently. Explain your reasoning.* **Thomas Baird:** When the board was asked to vote on whether meetings should continue to be posted on YouTube, I called out that transparency is paramount. I did not agree with the open ended language, and suggested that other options be explored in the future. I have always felt that board meetings must be live streamed and recorded. It is important that staff and families are informed. I will continue to encourage parents and staff to engage at school board meetings. I have found their voices to be invaluable and transformational over the past year. **Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr:** One recent decision by the school board that I support is its continued effort to modernize the school campuses. Being in an environment that is new, comfortable and welcoming make it conducive to better learning. One I would have handled differently is the decision to have given raises at the administrative level, while laying off certificated staff. The decision to let go frontline workers would ordinarily be a tough decision if the district was in a financial crisis, but the district gave raises while still having a $12 million surplus when only $3 million is required. ## 5\. Looking ahead *If elected, what is one measurable result you would want the district to achieve by the end of your four-year term?* **Thomas Baird:** I would want to see increased access to learning opportunities and programs focusing on AI technology, Arts, music and social/emotional support. We are able to track participation in these programs, and research has shown that access to these programs/services is vital to student success. I would like to see at least 25% increase in participation in these programs and services over the next four years. As a former theater student and current social worker, I know how access to the arts and social supports can positively impact student morale and wellbeing. **Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr:** One measurable result I would want the district to achieve by the end of my four-year term is the reduction in class sizes. Overcrowded classrooms at the elementary level are one of the most important issues currently facing the district. I believe student-to-teacher ratios should be one of the first things the board examines when determining whether staffing levels are appropriate. Classrooms with 28, 30, or more students are a sign that staffing needs to be examined. When enrollment and finances require difficult decisions, I believe the district should look for alternatives before allowing classroom sizes to grow unnecessarily.