There is going to be a lively, competitive election after all on Nov. 3 for the two open seats on the School Board.
Beating the filing deadline by 48 hours, Kelly Kent, a neuroscience professor at two schools and a Lin Howe Elementary parent, officially became a candidate yesterday.
Ms. Kent’s late-hour entry comes amidst rumors that former School Board member Karlo Silbiger will seek to essay a comeback before Wednesday’s 5 p.m. filing deadline expires.
Reportedly the educators, Ms. Kent and Mr. Silbiger, would run as an entry, similar to the joint campaign strategy announced last month by the only other candidates, and presumed favorites, attorney Scott McVarish and active parent Anne Burke.
Ms. Kent, an intellectual and a member of the Culver City Democratic Club, brings an intriguing resume to the now-instant race. She was a post-doctoral research associate in behavioral neuroendocrinology at USC.
Hardly a stranger to public life, she is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities at Moorpark College and Antioch University, two years ago she founded adaptED Consultants, an educational consulting firm that lists, among its specialties parent education, enrichment education and professional development.
Why did Kelly Kent wait till the 11 th hour to file??
People raised this same issue when I ran for office. What difference does it make when you file? Candidates have a right to think deeply about the issue and make a decision when they are ready. This is silly.
People made an issue when I ran for School Board. Candidates have a right to think carefully about running and file when they are ready. It’s silly to make an issue out of this.
I agree wholeheartedly with Claudia Vizcarra. What’s the point in making an issue of this? Kelly is an excellent candidate and a deep thinker with a doctorate in neuroscience. She doesn’t make these decisions lightly.
By Ms Kent announcing her candidacy, the community will hear discussions of our local school issues at the up-coming forums. You can be pretty sure that all the local publications, which were desperately hoping for a campaign, are breathing a big sigh of relief. At least, now, they will have something to cover in the next few months and have a chance of selling campaign advertisements.
Thank you Gary Abrams for calling the emporer naked. UPCC is a superpac. Hello Culver City? Why is an outside group spending money on school board elections? Gary, Karlo Silbiger & Kelly Kent are the only ones brave enough to call the snake what it is. Look at UPCCS past presidents: Steve Levin (on the school board), Laura Chardiet (on the school board) Jeannine Stehlin (candidate in 2017? bet?). Jeannine and husband “Jack” have waged wars on theaters larger than 99 seats too https://twitter.com/jeanninestehlin/status/569533843008462848 (will our Kirk Douglas be next in their attacks?).
I couldn’t think of anyone better suited for the position. Kelly Kent has 100% of our support and our vote!
Dr. Kent not Ms. Kent.
The post by Mr. Levy is filled with misstatements of the truth.
In order:
• United Parents of Culver City (UPCC) is a grass-roots, parent-funded group founded by and comprised of Culver City parents from all schools in the District who have joined together to talk about and work on issues that affect all of our children. All funds raised by UPCC have been donated 100% by parents and community members of Culver City.
• United Parents of Culver City is not a SuperPac, however, UPCC has super parents who are currently involved in their children’s schools in many ways. Parents serve on school PTAs, serve on the boards of booster clubs, act as “room parents,” chaperone field trips, bake cupcakes for bake sales, coach sports, donate to CCEF, and so much more.
• Laura Chardiet, who has been a tremendous asset and leader on the CCUSD School Board , has never served as President of UPCC.
• Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin has spent over 20 years producing nonprofit theatre in venues of all sizes, including a 2010 production of Titus Redux at Culver City’s landmark Kirk Douglas Theatre. The tweet that Mr. Levy refers to (which has nothing to do with Culver City whatsoever) shows that Ms. Wisnosky Stehlin, an arts advocate, is in support of Los Angeles union stage actors.
• For more about United Parents of Culver City, please visit their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UnitedParentsCC) or http://www.UnitedParentsCulverCity.com
The issue I have with Kelly Kent filing for School Board at the 11 th hour is that just 2-3 weeks ago she asked two of my friends, Culver City voters to endorse her for Culver City Council. YES COUNCIL!
This action of filing for School Board at this time sends a message that either she is not fully committed to do this or that she is merely an opportunist.
The Republican Party is desperately looking for a Presidential Candidate.
Is Kelly Kent ready??
PS. Claudia, just because you filed late does not justify the action of Kelly Kent.
Evidently, after some consideration, Kelly Kent had a change of heart about the capacity in which she would wish to serve her community. Is that such a terrible thing?
I am astounded at the vitriol taking place about this school board race, directed at individual candidates – each of whom is supremely qualified to serve our district, and each of whom is obviously publicly passionate about the education of our children, having served our children in many ways already. It seems that people are upset about the fact that this has turned into a true democratic election, rather than the shooing in of a “team” of candidates who some in the community feel are entitled to getting seats on the school board without an election, simply because they chose to file a few weeks ago, together, as a team. What about democracy and voting in the best candidates based on their platforms, their resumes, and their desire and capacity to serve our community? Culver City, you are better than this. Let the race begin.
In retrospect, the “team” might have been a bad move. I have nothing against either Mr. McVarish or Ms. Burke. Both seem to be excellent candidates and I am sure would serve us well. But isn’t it important that we as voters get a choice? and some diversity of representation? Burke/McVarish running as a close-knit team from the same community (both El Marino, both UPCC) smacks of partisanship. I for one am so glad there are more than two candidates to choose from. Perhaps this is why Dr. Kent chose to enter the race. Aside from her stellar qualifications (as an active parent, as an educator, as a neuroscientist), she is not part of this gang that wants to rule the school board.
Thanks Lee. I’d hope Culver City had progressed past the nastiness of the last school board election, and, as Mr. Levin assured me then, that the UPCC was not divisive and negative, and would rein in the few bad apples who were engaging in personsl smears. We’ll see.