Scott Zeidman, who figured out early and publicly how to be an effective advocate/politician for Culver City schools, had to be dazed this afternoon by his unexpected loss in yesterday’s School Board election.
But not a stain of the unavoidable stinging feeling was evident in his day-after observation on losing his sear by a microscopic 28 votes, according to unofficial totals.
“I have been saying all along that I am pleased we had three good people running for the two seats,” said the Board President.
“I know that no matter who won, our District would be in good shape. That Nancy (Goldberg) and Laura (Chardiet) won is great.
“Would I love to be on the Board? Of course.
“Am I devastated by losing? Of course not because I know the School District is going to be in good hands.”
For awhile there is bound to be a hole in the School Board.
His record in truncated form:
Little known when he took office four years ago, Mr. Zeidman transformed into a prolific, fulltime whirlwind, a problem-solver, a communicator, easily the Most Visible Personality in Culver City, with a record of achievement that dwarfed the competition.
Whether one-to-one or addressing a giant crowd, he was the most relaxed, effective person in the room.
Unlike his rivals, he ran his own campaign, saying he wanted to do his own strategizing and face-to-face campaigning.
He used student volunteers, and it is not yet known whether that unique strategy worked.
He was the face of the School Board before and during his presidency, and he was the main community connector on every topic of interest confronting the School Board the past 48 months.
He took heat and he took bows.
Easily distracted voters may have confused the two.
Since early summer, he has been the dominant School Board voice on the controversial Capital Improvements projects as well as the principal target of a swirl of criticism from cranky community members who say they have been left out of the process.
Mr. Zeidman said momentum is with the School Board as he leaves it, reasoning that “we have been moving in the right direction.”
Closing Night for Mr. Zeidman will be Tuesday, Nov. 22, in Council Chambers.
Ms. Goldberg and Ms. Chardiet will take office at the meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the District Offices, the same night a new President will be elected.
