Re “‘I Am Incredibly Vocal,’ Says Chardiet”
[img]1207|left|Laura Chardiet||no_popup[/img]Laura Chardiet, an educator and PTA veteran, formally will inaugurate her campaign for the School Board on Sunday, July 24, at the West Culver City home of City Councilman Scott Malsin and his wife Anne.
The kickoff event, at 4237 Neosho Ave., will run from 4 to 6 p.m.
Ms. Chardiet, who announced her School Board candidacy last month, says she is running to put her experience and leadership skills to work for her community.
She never has run for public office. But, triple-armed as an educator, active volunteer and mom, she knows, “it's about our kids and our schools, about how we can keep making our Culver City schools better, even in the face of unconscionable budget cuts from Sacramento.”
A classroom teacher for 10 years, Ms. Chardiet administers a $15 million adult literacy grant for LAUSD. Funding for the grant is based on successful student outcomes. In the five years she has been the program coordinator, funding has grown by almost $2 million, thanks to the program's success at increasing positive student outcomes.
As a parent Ms. Chardiet has served on the La Ballona School Site Council, the CCUSD Community Budget Advisory Board, the PTA and Boosters Club organizations at her children's schools and the Culver City Council of PTAs.
“I understand how budgets work,” she says. “I know the needs of our schools up close and personal. I am confident that we can find ways to meet those needs and continue to improve our schools in spite of the budget cuts.”
As a PTA volunteer:
• Ms. Chardiet founded the Taste of La Ballona, a healthy food expo, applying for and receiving grants from the California State PTA to support it.
• She served as the Culver City Middle School PTSA chairperson for Red Ribbon Week and began the tradition of having students put their red handprints on a large white poster in the outdoor lunch area as a pledge to stay drug-free.
• Ms. Chardiet expanded La Ballona's International Dinner Show that had highlighted folk dances from South America, so that it now showcases dances from around the world.
• Ms. Chardiet infused greater entertainment value into the annual Culver City Council of PTAs HSA Awards dinner while lowering the ticket price.
Time and time again, supporters say, she has found creative ways of taking something good and making it better. That, says Ms. Chardiet, is what she intends to do for our Culver City schools.
Ms. Chardiet may be contacted at lchardiet@gmail.com
