Banner news, maybe, on the first day of the new Culver City school year:
Could the declared impossible happen to Patty Jaffe?
Could she stay on Irving Place after all?
Listen to School Board member Scott Zeidman talking this morning, and you decide.
“This week marks the two-month anniversary of her hiring as Acting Superintendent. I’ve got to tell you, we should have hired her three years ago.”
A much-loved 40-year Culver City Unified School District teacher and administrator, Ms. Jaffe was appointed in late June to plug an emergency gap, strictly on a day-to-day basis, created when District Supt. Dr. Myrna Rivera Cote shockingly announced her resignation on Memorial Day weekend.
Emotionally, at least, say sources, she has a strong advantage over anyone from the outside.
Not only is she known by every person who interacts with the School District, Ms. Jaffe has an overwhelmingly favorability rating. For member of the School Board, tapping Ms. Jaffe was like organizing a family reunion.
Back to Mr. Zeidman, Vice President of the School Board, of whom it has been said there is no one more influential.
“It has been a seamless transition with Patty,” he said with mounting enthusiasm. “Everything is going well.”
Here was a crucial development, he said:
“We had some potential issues with kindergarten classes and other things. They have been handled ahead of time. Everything is getting done, and efficiently, in spite of the fact we have no money and a very small staff.
“Summertime came and went. And today at the Middle School and at El Marino, things appear to be completely in order.
“It is just great to have somebody come in and do the job,” Mr. Zeidman said.
Does this mean that the circumstances described in June — whereby Ms. Jaffe was portrayed, contractually, as ineligible for permanent hire, have changed?
“I can’t answer that,” Mr. Zeidman said cagily. “I wrote the contract that says she is not eligible.
“However, we will now begin the interview process. I have to tell you, this person better be better than Patty Jaffe if we are going to hire him or her.
“The (headhunter group just chosen) better find somebody who is superior to Patty.
“Patty is not eligible for the fulltime position, according to the contract.”
That sounds like a tantalizing proposition that a School Board could find irresistible.
“All I am saying,” said Mr. Zeidman, repeating for emphasis, “is that the contract says she cannot be hired as a fulltime superintendent. The contract is public.
“However, it would be irresponsible for any trustee to hire somebody who is less qualified or less good just because…”
If the Jaffe contract is not quite as liquid as the weather, it can be amended. Therefore…
Board members are scheduled to meet with the headhunter group late tomorrow afternoon in a session designed to shine light on the search process.
