The Interim Superintendent’s first visitor on the first morning of Opening Day of her new gig noticed the changes immediately.
Upon entering what has been Dr. Myrna Cote Rivera’s office for the last 3½ years, the biggest difference Patty Jaffe has made lies in the layout.
She looked as natural as you would expect a 40-year veteran of the Culver City Unified School District to be, presiding over a desk in a different part of the room.
Her desk was clear this morning, but it should become crowded as her first-time and temporary duties begin to unfold.
Ms. Jaffe was in the midst of crafting a message for the website, ccusd.org
There was no overt hint of Opening Day jitters this morning, but last night, trying to sleep, she awakened more than normal.
“I woke up a few times,” she said with a hearty laugh.
Thinking about?
“What I was going to do today,” and she laughed again.
Scheduled to officially retire yesterday, the School Board last week chose Ms. Jaffe to serve as the Interim Super, probably for four to six months, following the unexpected resignation of Dr. Cote 34 days ago.
While she was entirely comfortable, a trace of urgency was in the quiet air at 4034 Irving Pl.
“Right now,” said Ms. Jaffe, “it feels as if I need to get organized, have everything in place, which I plan to do by the end of the day.
She said that “most of the time, yes, I am well organized.
“I plan to be ready to go by tomorrow when I will be meeting with cabinet, making plans, getting ready for the start of the year, making sure all of the staff are in place.”
Question: What is your overall plan?
“My focus is on the students of the Culver City Unified School District. My plan is to make sure the schools are up and running, ready to meet those students on the first day, and to be sure the students are getting the best education possible. In Culver City Unified, that is what they are going to get.”
Specifically as Superintendent, what is your role?
“My responsibility is to meet with all of the administration, with all of the supervisors, to make sure they also have their plans in place, to make sure I am following the directives of the Board of Education, and to be sure we meet the needs of the students.”
In the final months of the just completed school year, a reduction in permits was discussed at length. Do you have a position?
“I am waiting for the directive of the Board.”
