First of two parts

There is not a doubt that the most fun Culver City person to interview this summer is smiling, always upbeat Leslie Lockhart, interim superintendent of the School District.

Many parents hope that by this date next summer, the “interim” tag will have been removed.

Ms. Lockhart’s enthusiasm, sincerity and intimate knowledge of the territory are identifying marks of each evaluation she delivers.

Closing in on two decades in the District, “I have the best situation possible,” she says.

“I am doing work that I love, with people I love, with students I love.

“I look forward to being able to spend more time at the (campus) sites” than when she was assistant superintendent for human resources.

“I look forward to meeting the parents of students and to attending all of the events that will be going on,”

Two months after succeeding the dismissed Josh Arnold in the superintendent’s chair, The Work, her first student-involved projects are about to see daylight.

Not to mention the new term’s inauguration of classes two weeks from this morning, the day after Fiesta La Ballona.

(To be continued)