[img]1|left|Ari Noonan||no_popup[/img]First of two parts

Re “Today’s Tastiest Morsel: Will Patty Jaffe Stay for Keeps?”

Sometimes a splash of cold water in your face in the early morning is deceptively pleasant, as was my conversation this morning with School Board member Scott Zeidman.

Designing his words as carefully as an architect suspended from the roof of the Empire State Building, Mr. Zeidman advanced the possibility that Acting Super Patty Jaffe — the choice of all living for the permanent position — might, maybe, possibly, perhaps — could be considered because her performance the first two months has been smashing. That is a euphemism for unassailable.

At the time of her emergency appointment, we were told that event if the planet began spinning in reverse, Ms. Jaffe would not be considered for the fulltime job because they wanted her to concentrate on keeping the wheels spinning now, not planning ahead.

Seems to me this morning’s declaration is a thunderbolt…excitingly good news.

Talk about restoring faith in old-fashioned values.

Forty years in Culver City.

Hasn’t Ms. Jaffe earned a full shot?

The One-Man Booster Club

If Ms. Jaffe needs a boost, she has a major figure cheering for her, David Mielke, the very longtime President of the Teachers Union.

“We have not canvassed our (estimated 350) members,” Mr. Mielke said this afternoon after coming home from the first day of the new term at Culver City High School and reading Mr. Zeidman’s fascinating observations.

“In terms of my own personal endorsement, though, I think she is great. I hope she gets the job.”

“I have received a significant number of emails and comments from teachers in favor of keeping Mrs. Jaffe.

“Back in June, it struck me as an unusual way for the School Board to go about this.

They said she could be interim, but not apply to be the supe. After all, doesn't it make sense for the Board to allow the interim person to stay if she is the best candidate and we have an idea of how she will perform.

“I hope the board will take a look at that decision-making process,” Mr. Mielke said.

“Patty's off to a good start.

“She is a hard-worker. She knows the School District. She cares about students and employees.

“And she has real loyalty to this community and to our schools.

“We have tried hiring expensive outsiders,” Mr. Mielke said. “But they move on. They may just see Culver City as a stepping stone. Patty does not.”

He framed the crucial question in communal terms:

“Why not give a chance to one of our own?”

Momentum can be beautiful.

(Tomorrow: Mr. Mielke will explore Ms. Jaffe’s prospects in more thorough detail.)