WHITTIER – The Whittier Union Board of Trustees will move to rename its Board Room to honor one of its most cherished and longstanding members, the late Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco, during its Tuesday, June 11 Board meeting.

Board President Gary Mendez brought a letter of intent to the Board asking it to consider honoring the legacy of Pacheco’s 32 years as a Trustee. The Board requests community attendance at the June 11 meeting to weigh in on the action item and share their memories of Pacheco during the public comment period. Pacheco died in October 2023 after a long illness.

“Dr. Pacheco had such a great love of this city and all of its diverse communities, and he worked tirelessly for decades to bring equity in education to all Whittier residents,” Mendez said. “The Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco Board Room will be the nexus for a new generation of education initiatives and community spirit, preserving his legacy as an agent of positive change for the Whittier Union High School District.”

Pacheco served the District for 32 years before retiring in July 2023. Throughout his tenure, Pacheco was an active member of the community, serving on many distinguished civic, college, and community service agency boards and commissions.

Pacheco was a fervent supporter of modernizing District buildings and infrastructure and saw three separate bond projects passed during his time on the Board: the $98 million Measure C bond, passed in 1998; the $75 million Measure W bond, passed in 2008; and the $183 million Measure AA bond, passed in 2020. Each bond measure led to construction and improvements across the District.

Pacheco was an ordained minister and co-founder of the Leadership Capacity Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit faith-based organization supporting community developments and education projects in California. Pacheco also served as a Tri-Cities ROP Governing Board Member and on the Río Hondo College Board of Trustees.

Pacheco’s wife Deborah served as a Board Member for the South Whittier School District Board of Education from 2001 to 2022. The Pacheco’s had three children and nine grandchildren, all of whom attended Whittier Union.

“Having had the privilege of working with Dr. Pacheco for many years, I fully support the Board’s decision to rename Whittier Union’s Board Room in his honor,” Superintendent Dr. Monica Oviedo said. “Dr. Pacheco never wavered from his commitment to Whittier Union students and families, and we are grateful for the professionalism and institutional knowledge Dr. Pacheco brought to the Whittier Union community.”

The Whittier Union Board Meeting on June 11 will take place inside the United Sierra Education Center Gym, 9401 S. Painter Ave., Whittier.

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WUHSD_PACHECO1: The Whittier Union Board of Trustees will move to rename its Board Room to honor one of its most cherished and longstanding members, the late Dr. Ralph S. Pacheco, during its Tuesday, June 11 Board meeting.