First in a series
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Ms. Vizcarra
In a seven-way School Board race that offers a specially tailored candidate for even the most persnickety Culver City voter, the last person to file prompted “Who is she?” questions. No longer.
If Claudia Vizcarra were a flower, she would be the first-noticed, no matter how vast or dense the garden, because she would sprout far more petals than any one else.
If she were a building, she would be a skyscraper.
If she were turf, she would be Alaska or Russia, any region that offers massive ground space.
If she were a star, she would be a galaxy because of the numerous career and personally committed paths she has trod to reach this platform.
Ms. Vizcarra is chief deputy to LAUSD Board member Steve Zimmer, for whom she has worked the past four years – following a term with now-retired School Board member Jackie Goldberg.
Leaving an introduction of her there is like saying “peas are green.” Does not start to tell about the rich texture, the liquid configurations of a varied personal and professional journey very much in the ascendancy, a story unfolding in chapters.
A native of Mexico and a committed feminist, she spoke English from her earliest school days. Arriving in the Southwest United States to attend college, she once pondered teaching as a career but soon branched into varied directions, all of which required muscular initiative.
As the seventh member to file for the Nov. 5 School Board election not long before the extended deadline, what prompted Ms. Vizcarra to challenge the field?
Speaking ever so small-ly, she begins listing reasons.
“I am a parent in school,” she says. “I bring both my experience and my day-to- day job, and a vision for what Culver City schools can do.”
What is the skill that brings you to Mr. Zimmer’s office?
“I work with many different people. I work with parents. I work with community groups. I work with District staff. I work with different elected officials. That is what a chief of staff does.
“My work primarily is supporting his policy agenda and making sure it is meeting the needs of groups working with us to develop it.”
(To be continued)
