On Patti Jaffe’s first morning as the Real Superintendent of the School District after nine months of Interim-ship, only the sky was overcast. The sunny smile she has worn to school every day for the last 41 years remains her most recognizable calling card the day after the School Board formalized her very longshot selection.
Not that landing this job was ever a cinch in her mind.
Even though she had people-momentum and a strong wind at her back once her candidacy became public in late January — after a months’ long search — it was only a hazy guess that the School Board would consider her as a late-hour applicant.
Even though she has been in Culver City all of her professional life and the only people she doesn’t know are those who have not yet moved here, she never unclenched her hands during the entire process, on and off-stage.
Until 5:15 yesterday when the Board took a confirming vote five restless weeks after officially approving her candidacy at a memorable community-dominated Feb. 8 meeting.
How optimistic was Ms. Jaffe?
Two weeks earlier, on Jan. 24, just as the stunning news of her potential eligibility began squirting out of Irving Place, Ms. Jaffe was planning for her future life without the superintendent title.
Following up on a decision she had made a year ago, she filled out retirement forms — just in case her midnight sprint didn’t work.
Selected in June as a pointedly temporary replacement three weeks after Dr. Myrna Rivera Coté’s unanticipated resignation, she fell in love with the job in the first month.
Did Ms. Jaffe’s new feelings surprise her?
“I did not realize how much I like public relations and how much I like being with people. What made me fall in love with the job was the fact I really got to meet more people in the city I hadn’t known or spent time with before, and they were all there to support Culver City schools.
“Once I realized that, I though ‘Gee, this is just a fantastic job.’”
What happened next?
“I let the Board know, after they started the search process, I was really enjoying the job. I told them I totally respected the process. But if they didn’t find someone they were 100 percent on, I would be open to discuss it with them.
“At the same time, though, I felt it would be fine if they found someone. That is what I told the Board. I said I would help the person transition into the job. I will introduce the person and do whatever I can to make it smooth.”
A year ago, how solidly were your retirement plans formulated that included Loyola Marymount?
“I have been teaching at Loyola, and I am still mentoring young prospective administrators. I have been doing that the last four years. I love to travel, and my husband and I had planned to do that. Our time is pretty open. I also was looking at other prospects that had come up.”
Did you have an inkling that Dr. Coté was going to leave?
“No. Not until the Friday day she came in and said, ‘Guess what?’
“I was extremely surprised, but it was something she wanted to do. I was very happy for her. Quite a bit, I think, was being closer to her (Orange County) home. The (50-mile) drive to Culver City every day was wearing on her. It would take her 2 to 2½ hours to get here and sometimes 3 hours to get home.”
After you disclosed your interest to the Board, did the permanent job remain prominent in your mind?
“Actually no. I knew they were doing the process, and that they were going to go through the process. So I filled out new retirement papers in anticipation of the job going to someone else.”
(To be continued)
