CVUSD Board Trustee Lavender Lee Whitaker Announces Resignation; Area 2 Seat to Be Filled by November 2026 Election
PRESS RELEASE
Castro Valley Unified School District
4400 Alma Avenue
Castro Valley, CA 94546
510.537.3000
CVUSD Board Trustee Lavender Lee Whitaker Announces Resignation;
Area 2 Seat to Be Filled by November 2026 Election
Castro Valley, CA – (April 23, 2026) – Castro Valley Unified School District Trustee Lavender Lee Whitaker has announced her resignation from the Board of Education, effective June 25, 2026, as she relocates to begin a new professional chapter.
Trustee Whitaker has served on the Castro Valley Unified School District Board of Education for ten years across multiple terms, most recently elected in November 2024. During her tenure, she has been a dedicated advocate for students, families, and staff, helping to guide the District’s work in equity, student success, and community engagement.
“Serving this community has been the honor of my lifetime. Castro Valley didn’t just welcome me—it gave me a voice, a home, and a purpose. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve and for the trust this community placed in me.”
— Trustee Lavender Lee Whitaker, Trustee Area 2
Trustee Whitaker’s leadership has helped advance the District’s strategic directions, with a focus on ensuring that all students are supported, respected, and provided meaningful opportunities to thrive. Her commitment to public education and to the Castro Valley community has left a lasting impact on the District.
The Board of Education and District leadership extend their sincere appreciation to Trustee Whitaker for her years of service and dedication to Castro Valley Unified School District. Superintendent Rashidchi shared, “It has been a pleasure and honor to work with Trustee Whitaker. While we will deeply miss her wisdom, empathy, and amazing support, we, of course, wish her all the best on her new journey.”
Area 2 Vacancy: November 2026 Election
In accordance with California law, the vacancy will be filled through the November 2026 election. The candidate elected to the Area 2 seat will serve the remainder of Trustee Whitaker’s unexpired term, through December 2028.
November 2026 ballot — three seats: The addition of Area 2 means the November 3, 2026 General District Election will include three Governing Board seats:
Trustee Area 2 — Unexpired term (2 years, through December 2028), due to resignation
Trustee Area 3 — Full 4-year term (currently vacant)
Trustee Area 4 — Full 4-year term (Sara E. Raymond, incumbent and Gary C. Howard, incumbent terms expiring December 2026)
Only voters residing in a given trustee area may vote for that area’s seat. Residents are encouraged to use the District’s interactive trustee area map at cv.k12.ca.us/board-election or cv.k12.ca.us/transition-to-by-trustee-area-elect to find their area.
Interested in Running for the Board?
Any person who is 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the state, a resident of the school district, and a registered voter is eligible to run for a seat on the Governing Board (Education Code §35107(a)). Candidates must reside in the specific trustee area for which they are running. To find your trustee area, use the interactive map at cv.k12.ca.us/board-election.
Nomination papers will be available from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612, during the official candidate filing period, as established by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. Filing deadlines and candidate statement fee estimates will be published on the District website when confirmed by the County.
For more information: Visit the District’s November 2026 Board of Education Election page at cv.k12.ca.us/board-election or contact the Superintendent’s Office at (510) 537-3000.
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