Second of two parts
Re “Elmont Explains Why He Has Resigned from CBAC”
[img]2321|right|Alan Elmont||no_popup[/img]Twenty-one years after wading into the sometimes shark-infested waters of parental involvement in education matters, Alan Elmont has retired to the sidelines.
One way to measure his service is that his oldest child was entering first grade at Farragut Elementary when he made his initial commitment, and now his youngest two are juniors at Culver City High School.
Half of his two decades were identified with the Community Budget Advisory Committee, the last two school years as the chair. As he became busier in his private life and perceived that CBAC’s sphere of influence was narrowing, he determined:
“To put in that kind of time, I could have as much impact if I go to a School Board meeting and wag my finger as I would being with CBAC anymore,” Mr. Elmont said Sunday.
Once a regular at School Board meetings, he has been absent the last two years, he said, for the same reason he left CBAC.
He could not say that the committee’s pragmatic influence ever was stronger than it is now. If it has not changed, it feels thinner.
As an example of dwindling influence, he cited a discussion some years ago about a parcel tax – the present one being fast on the way to an expiration date.
Where Was CBAC’s Voice?
“What,” asks Mr. Elmont, “was CBAC’s view on a parcel tax? None. It wasn’t part of our discussion because the School District did not come and say, ‘We are considering doing a parcel tax. These are the things we are considering doing.’ More recently, where was the discussion from the District to the Board about Measure EE (the parcel tax) that CBAC had encouraged the District to renew? It would have been on the ballot this year.”
Sounding ever more exasperated, Mr. Elmont asked again, “What is the point of CBAC in that case?
“CBAC gives cover if the District or the Board has to cut positions?
“Or is it really weighing in in any kind of influential manner?
“With the configuration that CBAC has, and with the lack of forewarning that the District provides on financial issues, I don’t see that CBAC can have any kind of positive influence.
“All CBAC is doing is providing the potential for political cover, saying ‘CBAC is in favor of this, or is not in favor of this, and that is why we are doing it.’
“I can spend my time doing other things instead,” Mr. Elmont said.
Mr. Elmont is not satisfied with the makeup of the committee, half community people (parents) and half School District personnel. Despite having five persons representing each segment, influence is not evenly weighted, he contends. He would like the parent side more forcefully represented. “But the District,” he says, “has a poor record of reaching out to parents and drawing them in.”
