Now you knew where one of the Teachers Union endorsements for the School Board was going, didn’t you?
Last spring, even before Nancy Goldberg’s candidacy officially was announced or widely known, union members vigorously and logically declared for one of their own, a near-record teaching veteran.
“How could we not?” asked David Mielke, who has been union President for more than half of Ms. Goldberg’s career at Culver City High School.
“Forty-one years as a Culver City teacher, and a respected member of the community. We are going to give her our support as soon as we can.
“This kind of early endorsement, in May or June, is something we never have done before. Never.
“Every previous election, we have waited and interviewed all of the candidates.
“This time, we just interviewed the rest of the candidates a few days ago.
“That was an interesting process, and we endorsed Laura Chardiet along with Nancy.”
As with some endorsing groups, the Teachers Union drew up a list of questions and provided them to the five candidates in advance so they would be prepared.
Inside the Voting
Mr. Mielke turned to why the Teachers Union made the endorsements.
“With Nancy,” he said, “you just can’t replace or duplicate 41 years of teaching experience.
“Someone with that breadth, wealth of experience and commitment to students of Culver City her entire career — no one can compete with that.
“What Nancy will bring to the School Board is what no one else can.”
Segueing to a core belief of the Teachers Union, Mr. Mielke said that “when possible, we want teachers running the District. Currently, we have three lawyers and two educators.”
For a moment, the President seemed to slightly anguish before going on.
With one attorney among the contenders — incumbent Scott Zeidman — and attorney Steve Gourley retiring, one legal mind is guaranteed to be subtracted from the School Board, regardless of the Nov. 8 results.
“I don’t have too many things against lawyers,” Mr. Mielke sad, “but when push comes to shove, I would rather have educators.
“That is partly what led us into endorsing Laura. She is an educator. An administrator now, she has been a classroom teacher.
“She talked about standing in a picket line with her father, a teacher.
“And so, teacher experience…and union background. Those things carried weight with our committee.
“Each of the candidates had positives in his or her favor. If Scott Zeidman or Robert Zirgulis or Gary Abrams is elected, each will bring something positive to the Board.
“Gosh, Gary Abrams has volunteered so many times at Linwood Howe, people think he is an employee there.
“Robert Zirgulis, God bless him, is not afraid to think outside the box. A substitute teacher, he impressed a number of our people. He has done a lot for the District, especially with Measure EE.
“It was not easy for us to come to a decision with Laura,” Mr. Mielke said. “We don’t really know her. “There always is some concern when you don’t know as much about a candidate as you would like.”
