[img]1551|left|Dave LaRose||no_popup[/img]Second in a series
Re “The Super Is a Salesman – and He Bonds, Too, with Audiences”
When you ask School District Supt. Dave LaRose if there is clarity across the community regarding much-bandied-about the Measure CC bond, he gives a qualified response.
“Here is what I am grateful for,” he said. “I believe there is clarity in the community about the need. I mentioned that (last week at the Culver City Democratic Club meeting).
“All of the conversations I have had – that is through the entire First Process last year when the decision was made we weren’t ready to move forward, through the Second Process, and then through the dozens and dozens of community meetings we had, small-group meetings, stakeholder meetings – I never had a challenge about the need of our schools. That is where there is clarity. There is clarity around the needs. The schools are older. A number of needs are related to simple safety and wellness. Obviously, a lot of other needs relate to modernization, and to creating environments relevant to teaching and learning today.
“When it comes to terms, fiscal implications and other options,” said Mr. LaRose, “those are conversations where there are more questions. But I am grateful everyone seems to understand our facilities are in need of overhaul.”
Public pushback against Measure CC exactly seven weeks before the June 3 election can be measured in inches rather than feet or yards.
“My position would be, I have felt a great deal of support, understanding and advocacy as well as a great deal of inquiry seeking clarification from a supportive lens,” said the Super.
Question: What bothers people most about the $109 million bond?
“I don’t know if ‘bothering’ would be a pattern or a trend. A lot of questions I receive ask, ‘Can we get more clarity as it relates to what work was done in the past? Can we get some more clarity on what the language in the current measure would mean for me as a taxpayer?’
“Rather than people being disturbed,” said Mr. LaRose, “we are getting less broad questions, more specific ones about projects or how it might impact them as individual citizens.”
(To be continued)
