[img]1686|right|Laura Chardiet||no_popup[/img]Lives there a soul in Culver City who has invested 10 seconds this winter doubting that the reconfigured School Board, without taking a breath, will approve a $106 million bond measure for the June ballot?
He is hiding if he even exists.
When the Supt. Dave LaRose-sponsored extended road trip for the School Board stops at El Rincon Elementary for this evening’s 7 o’clock meeting, the south end school will be the setting for a history-maker. Nary a nay is anticipated when the five-person Board is polled on its feelings toward by far the most expensive, most glittering bond measure in Culver City’s 97-year history.
One explanation is that two of the three Board members who pooh-poohed last year’s less expensive bond, Karlo Silbiger and Prof. Patricia Siever, have been replaced, Mr. Silbiger by the voters, Ms. Siever, by her own choice.
The same question was put to both Mr. LaRose and Board President Laura Chardiet, an ardent bond partisan then and now.
What is the difference between tonight’s vote what happened last July 1?
“Obviously the most significant difference,” Mr. LaRose said, “is the amount of time that we have been able to discuss, process, engage, communicate, answer questions. We have had more of an opportunity to hear from those who have been strong supporters of our interest in addressing the District-wide facility needs.
“Anytime you have more time when you have a compelling need, it is an advantage when you have more time to discuss.”
Was a mistake made in the runup to July 1?
“I would not go so far as to say a mistake was made,” Mr. LaRose said. “All along what I have tried to focus on is something I believe has not been disputed at all, the depth of the needs (of improvements) of the schools. “
[img]1456|left|Mr. Dave LaRose||no_popup[/img]Repeating his conviction errors were not made in the pre-vote period last year, Mr. LaRose said that “some of the steps we have gone through in recent months were similar to steps we have gone through before. We have had more time engage others, more time to faciitate participative conversations with those who have questions.”
When President Chardiet was asked what is different between this evening and last July 1, her response was cautious.
“We don’t know yet because we have not voted yet on the bond measure resolution,” she said.
“I am hoping the difference is that I will be singing ‘Oh, Happy Day,’” said one of Culver City’s favorite entertainers.
“As for the process leading up to the vote, we have had more time to develop a consensus, more support from the community,” Ms. Chardiet said. “We have further developed the Master Facilities Plan. We have held multiple community input meetings to go over the bond measure.”
Ms. Chardiet rejected the suggestion errors may have been committed in the leadup to the vote.
In speculating on a reason the bond measure was delayed/defeated last summer, she said”
“People felt rushed with the timeline.”
