[img]1411|left|Mr. Levin||no_popup[/img]This afternoon’s out-of-the rotation School Board meeting, at 5:30 in the Board Room, will mark the first community assembly since the formation of a precedent-setting parents union, United Parents of Culver City, was announced last Friday afternoon.
Parents union?
Hmm.
Everybody has heard of dockworkers unions, of garbage men’s unions, of fat dames unions and of barely bald bachelors unions.
Parents union may need several more hours of practice before it starts skating off tongues at mercurial speeds.
Eventual installation of solar panels will be the centerpiece of this afternoon’s hastily called meeting, but United Parents of Culver City will be tap dancing across the minds of many in the audience – and in the front of the room.
The parents union (UnitedParentsCulverCity.com) probably will not make an organized splash, though, until after their maiden meeting, a week from Thursday, on May 24, at a private home.
Steve Levin, one of the UPCC’s Founding Fathers, and its Interim President, told the newspaper:
“In a sense, the issue of booster clubs and (the El Marino Language School) adjuncts policy brought us together.
“UPCC was formed because we realized that no other organization can speak as well for the children of CCUSD.
“As parents, we have no stronger motivation than the best interests of our children. We recognize that the employees, the taxpayers, and others have a stake in the success of CCUSD.
“But we believe that there should be at least one strong voice that represents only the children. We will be that voice.”
Mr. Levin said that the parents union is sui generis, and it is studying the most favorable habits of others.
“UPCC is not patterned after any similar organization,” he said.
“We are certainly aware of other organizations, though. We will learn what we can from them.
“CCUSD teachers and classified employees both are represented by unions, which give them a voice in the public discourse.
Parents Union Picking up Tips
“We hope to learn from their best practices, even learn from their mistakes.
“There are parent organizations in other school districts, and we will learn from them.
“Many of us are members of non-political fundraising organizations that support the schools. We will draw on that experience as well.”
Mr. Levin said the parents union is not interested in choosing up sides.
“We don't think the School Board and the Superintendent are on one side, with the community on the other,” he said.
“There are many voices, and the children of CCUSD do not always have strong enough representation in the process.
“UPCC will help to remedy that situation. UPCC exists to be a voice for the children of Culver City.
“We are independent from CCUSD and the School Board.
“But we hope and expect that they will listen to us.
“We intend to express our views about candidates and issues in elections as well. We hope that the voters will also listen to us.”
Plainly, a new day has begun in school dialogues in Culver City.
(To be continued)
