[img]1994|right|Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin||no_popup[/img]Do you believe in miracles?
FedEx? No, thanks.
Powerfully convinced that an overwhelming number of Culver City parents enthusiastically support the under-discussion-but-officially-delayed bond measure campaign, the president of United Parents of Culver City, is taking swift, direct action.
Hoping to further impress upon Supt. Dave LaRose, the School Board and anyone else influential, that both The Force and momentum are on their side, Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin is delivering UPCC’s Do-It-Now petition (http://www.UnitedParentsCulverCity.com) that carries more than 500 signatures.
“I am personally delivering a hard copy of the petition, which they already have in
email form,” Ms. Wisnosky Stehlin told the newspaper this afternoon.
“It is important that the superintendent and the District staff have a hard copy for their records.
“They have the full support of over
500 Culver City people (and counting) who say that they support the bond.”
Ms. Wisnosky Stehlin and her members are behind a document written before yesterday’s presumed final announcement from Mr. LaRose that the campaign was being delayed until evidently next June’s ballot.
“The petition,” she said, “plus the 67 percent of those surveyed who said they'd also support the bond, make it strikingly hopeful that our facilities improvements could happen when a bond measure gets put on the ballot.”
Earlier in the day, the UPCC issued the following preliminary statement:
“Parents of United Parents of Culver City, the year-old parent union that promotes an educational culture that places the interests of students before those of adults, will hand deliver a petition containing over 514 signatures, urging the School Board to give the voters the right to vote on a school facilities’ bond this November. The petition will be delivered to the Culver City Unified School District office, and ot was emailed to all five of the School Board members and to Supt. Dave LaRose.
“By delivering the petition to the School Board, UPCC is showing that there is a large group of people who believe that our students deserve classrooms and buildings that are not falling apart. They support a facilities bond that would provide needed funds to make these necessary improvements.
“In addition to the online petition, UPCC has organized a “Let the Voters Decide Bond Committee” of community leaders who urged the school board to put the bond in the hands of the Culver City people.
“Background: Early this year, the School Board began the process of investigating what the facility needs of the schools are, and whether there was a good chance the public would support a bond measure on the November ballot. The process included a “Needs Assessment” that was conducted by Balfour Beatty (builders). With input from District staff, site administrators, teachers, and parents, the comprehensive, line item study stated that CCUSD facilities are in “dire need of repair and modernization.” It was estimated that approximately $165 million would be needed to address all the concerns listed.
“In addition, all five members of the School Board authorized and hired consultants who, among other things conducted a scientific survey with 95 percent accuracy rate, which revealed that 67 percent of those surveyed said that they would support a facilities bond measure. The consultants advised that it is likely that the bond measure would pass.
“However, in a surprise prepared statement, Board member Karlo Silbiger blocked the process by stating that he did not know enough about the bond. Board members Patricia Siever and Nancy Goldberg followed his lead. Board president Kathy Paspalis and Board member Laura Chardiet, parents who both have students who attend CCUSD, supported the bond.
“The School Board had until July 30 to vote on and authorize the bond measure for the November election.”
For more information about United Parents of Culver City, the bond and the Let the Voters Decide Bond Committee, email contact@UnitedParentsCulverCity.com
