Second in a series
Re “Bond Campaign Abandoned Officially for This Year”
[img]1456|right|Mr. Dave LaRose||no_popup[/img]On the day after the School District’s blockbuster announcement that the popular bond measure campaign was being delayed until an unspecified future date – because of certain critical objections – Supt. Dave LaRose said one of the crucial changes next time will be to clarify timelines.
That was a central objection, most influentially voiced by School Board member Karlo Silbiger at the July 1 meeting, and also others.
“We will affirm to our community that we continually pursue this work,” Mr. LaRose told the newspaper, alluding to the lessons learned from this first disappointing experience with a bond.”
He indicated that even though the bond measure and renewal of the due-to-expire parcel tax both are likely to go on next June’s ballot, labor on the campaign will continue without interruption, just not the pressure of an Aug. 9 ballot submission deadline and a November election.
“As a District, I did not receive the direction that we are not to pursue this,” Mr. LaRose said. “If anything, I received the direction that says we need to do a better job. Some people need more information, different information in a different way.
“With the level of support we need for this to happen, it is my obligation to provide it. That will be the direction we go.”
More Careful Next Time
District leaders will be methodical, sensitive to past criticism and efficient, the superintendent promised.
Partisans who pressed for the bond issue to go on the November ballot – when the lure to Culver City voters would be three available seats on the School Board – have been seeking a special air-clearing meeting ahead of the Aug. 9 ballot submission deadline.
As of yesterday, the urgency has been vanquished.
“Anything that is designed to ‘let’s rush a meeting’ when the District has not had the time to gather more information, to spend more time on our capital needs assessment, to break that down into themes and categories, specific projects and predicted costs, samples and examples, site by site, that are more palatable, more understandable and more meaningful, we are in the midst of doing that work,” Mr. LaRose said.
“We are working on creating clarification of information as it relates to the current bond that is outstanding. What is the term? What is the length? What are the implications? What are the potential ballot measures?
“Lots of questions, confusion and almost perceived opposition between what’s a parcel tax and what’s a bond? What’s the duration? What’s the interest? What’s the implication?”
(To be continued)
