Re “KSilbiger: ‘We Need to Tackle More and Bigger Issues’”
A major question going into last night’s School Board meeting was how the two new members, Nancy Goldberg and Laura Chardiet, would respond — like church mice or as boisterous participants?
New President Karlo Silbiger called on Ms. Goldberg first, and she was not bashful. She promptly plunged into what she promised during her campaign would be a headline issue for her:
The solar panels dimension of the controversial four-tiered capital improvements project.
“I would like to know about our solar proposal,” was Ms. Goldberg’s opening gambit. “I know we sent our bid in for $20,000 to reserve our place.”
Glancing down the long table at Lin Howe School in the direction of Asst. Supt. Ali Delawalla, who is in charge of the vault, she inquired:
“Can you update me as to where we are?
“Is our group (the lay Sustainability Committee) able to review and collaborate on the environmental impact?”
Mr. Delawalla explained that the School District was working with a solar expert and presently considering several options, including am evaluation of the District’s needs. “Our consultant has the expertise to evaluate and understand all of our needs, at the high school, Middle School and Farragut School,” Mr. Delawalla said.
Pressing, Ms. Goldberg asked, “Does this mean our Sustainability Committee is not involved at all? Are they on the outside, not allowed to interact?”
Mr. Delawalla said that since the consultan is paid on an hourly basis, “I usually don’t try to bother him. We have given our consultant our goals that are based on the Sustainability Committee’s recommendations. I am leaving it up to the consultant at this time. Otherwise, it would become costly.”
Ms. Goldberg kept coming.
“So you are saying the Sustainabilty Committee won’t have any interaction with this consultant?”
“No,” said Mr. Delawalla. “He knows our goals and objectives. We are waiting for the proposal to understand (how to proceed).”
Ms. Goldberg was not conceding ground.
“So there is no timeline for bringing in the Sustainability Committee?” she asked.
“There will be interaction,” Mr. Delawalla pledged, “once we understand the complete proposal.”
Unbeknownst to the huge crowd in the Lin Howe Auditorium, Ms. Chardiet this week suffered a Death in her family.
Her closest relatives were present to celebrate Ms. Chardiet’s historic moment.
Her father, George W. Fetter, a former California Teacher of the Year who was her role model, held the bible while Supt. Patti Jaffe swore her in.
Her mother Dorothy, her brother Will and her sister Elaine made it a joyful evening.
Or at least it was after a prickly scene ended.
Activist Neil Rubenstein, incensed, came to the podium and rebuked Ms. Chardiet for allegedly participating in a School Board-related activity even before she had been sworn in?
How did he know? He read it in the Culver City News.
To underscore his outrage, Mr. Rubenstein had a copy of the newspaper placed before each Board member.
Most of the Board seemed perplexed and nonplussed by the stentorian accusation — until member Kathy Paspalis said “Whoa.”
Firmly, she said that the story inaccurate and incomplete. The activity in question was PTA-related. Oh.
The aforementioned Mr. Silbiger, as expected, was voted President in the fastest election this side of Russia. He delivered a powerful inaugural address that is carried nearby. The aforementioned Ms. Paspalis was elected Vice President.
Finally, a note of irony.
Mayor Mehaul O’Leary appeared an hour after the meeting started, and Mr. Silbiger invited him to speak, little realizing Hizzoner was about to stoke the furnace.
Referring to the opening on the City Council the night before, Mr. O‘Leary wondered if Scott Zeidman, immediate past president of the Board, who lost his re-election bid last month, would be available to fill in for 90 days.
