School Board contender Robert Zirgulis, featured in two recent profiles in the newspaper, said this morning that he will formally declare his candidacy at this afternoon’s 5:15 meeting of the School Board, a session called to approve a parcel tax for the Nov. 3 election.
Mr. Zirgulis said that in the same announcement he will “criticize aspects” of the parcel tax.
A substitute teacher in the School District, Mr. Zirgulis offered provisional approval of the parcel tax that will be okayed at the meeting.
“It’s my belief that the proposed parcel tax would not have been necessary if the School Board had not taken an anti-business stance against environmentally safe oil drilling that could have brought millions of dollars in royalties to our city and school district,” he said.
“Board Member Mr. Gourley has publicly stated in the School Board room that he hates the oil companies.
“What kind of message does that send out to other businesses that want to help the students at Culver City when Board members publicly criticize legitimate companies operating in Culver City?
“Last year, I approached the Linwood E. Howe PTA about getting a $2500 no strings attached grant from PXP. I was told by a PTA member that the offer was not considered because of ‘political correctness’ against accepting money from an oil company.
“As a consequence of anti-business policies, mismanagement and state budget cuts the viability of our school system is threatened. Some sort of temporary parcel tax may be needed.
“I believe we need a change in the School Board to fix these problems.”
Mr. Zirgulis said he will make the following announcement this afternoon:
“As a School Board Member, I will bring innovative problem-solving solutions to the budget crisis that threatens the viability of our school system. This includes collecting oil royalties and other income from supportive businesses.
“In addition, I will initiate programs and policies that will make Culver City the best school district in the state. It is a fact that a superior school system increases property values.
“I will insure that our children will be taught in a safe environment and encouraged to THINK instead of being INDOCTRINATED.
“My academic qualifications include a Master of Science in Business, CSUN, Bachelor of Arts Public Service, UCLA, and I am a certified substitute teacher for CCUSD.
“I also bring a large collection of worldly experiences. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and have traveled around the world three times learning what will work in teaching in a practical environment vs. a bureaucratic ivory tower.
“As a substitute teacher I have developed a wider perspective in the fact that I have taught K-12 and met all 6000 students in CCUSD.
“I have lived and worked in Culver City since 1984. My three sons attended K-12 in Culver City.
Mr. Zirgulis may be contacted at zirgulisr@yahoo.com
