Confronting a roughly seven-week deadline for placing a – probably non-controversial – bond measure on the November ballot, the drumbeat from school leaders began at last evening’s School Board meeting to waste no time in fulfilling the preliminary requirements.
Leslie Gardner said she was speaking as the parent of two high school students rather than in her role as President of the Culver City Council of PTAs when she heartily endorsed the bond proposal. She said it is “crucial” not only for today’s students but for the community.
Moments later, Board President Kathy Paspalis, also a mother of two, concurred.
No Room for Delay
“I think we all can agree,” said Ms. Gardner, “that our facilities need improvement. If we continually put it off, as we have done for many years, it is going to cost us more in the long run.
“The Natatorium (dark for two decades) and other facilities are an ongoing embarrassment to Culver City and our School District, and we deserve more.
“Culver City,” said Ms. Gardner, “is a great city, and our schools are part of that reason.
“It is not the responsibility of the School Board to decide how people will vote. But it is our responsibility to at least get the bond measure on the ballot so voters can decide for themselves what they want to do.”
The formal outlines of proposing and promoting a bond measure were introduced at a special School Board meeting last week.
And while, technically, the Board has until Aug. 9 officially inform the County of its ballot intentions, a complex of preparations is to be accomplished this month and next.
Checking Community Pulse
Not the least of details is a community survey of 400 selected voters due later this month.
There is near unanimous agreement among School District leaders that that fresh financing is broadly needed to rescue school facilities that mostly date back to the 1960s.
Looking directly at the shorthanded School Board – members Laura Chardiet and Nancy Goldberg were away – Ms. Gardner said that “it is your responsibility and it is our responsibility to educate the voters on what improvements are needed and why we need them.
“This is a special place to live. We have fantastic schools, and it is because we support them, because we pass bond measures to keep our schools great. While it is our responsibility to educate the voters, it has to get on the ballot in order for them to vote.”
As for Board President Paspalis, “I totally agree with what Leslie had to say about the bond measure. As a Board, we have been talking about this since last January.
“Those of us who are at the schools every day see that the facilities really are from the 1950s, and we need to get them up to 21st century standards.”
Putting a number to her declaration, Ms. Paspalis said that “we have $165 million worth of basic needs, and I am not talking about bringing in a wrecking ball and starting over again.
“That $165 million is just our bare bones need.”
