Unfortunately, on Saturday morning, Aug.18, the School District posted a sign at the tennis courts stating that, effective Sept. 4, the public would no longer be able to use the courts unless they obtained a permit from the Districts Business Office.
I strongly object to this action on a variety of grounds:
(1) The action was taken without public hearing. The public has a right to be heard on matters affecting public policy. The use of school facilities that have historically been used by the public is definitely a public policy issue.
(2) Public policy issues affecting our schools should be determined by the School Board, not by the Superintendent or lower level bureaucrats. No directive was issued by the Board regarding this action. While the Superintendent is answerable to the Board, the Board is answerable to the people.
(3) The action taken is contrary to longstanding past practice. I have used these tennis courts for over 30 years, and no one has ever asked me for a permit. In addition, no one has asked the people I play with for a permit. Over the years, these courts have been used by the city of Culver City for tennis tournaments and for tennis lessons. These courts have always been open for public use during times that do not conflict with school purposes. The high school, including the tennis courts, is part of the community. The high school, and all the public schools, need to reach out to the community rather than building walls and creating a “them” and “us” mentality.
I call upon the people of Culver City to attend the School Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., at the School District headquarters, 4034 Irving Pl.
Please attend.
And please tell the Board that you favor the public use of the high school tennis courts and are against the privatization of the tennis courts through the issuance of permits.
Darryl Cherness is a former president of the Culver City Democratic Club, of which his parents were founding members more than a half-century ago.
