[img]1411|left|Mr. Levin||no_popup[/img]The groundbreaking United Parents of Culver City, like many significant movements, was not born at the height of a crashing thunder clap, merely out of a pragmatic need.
Interim President Steve Levin, who will preside over Thursday night’s inaugural meeting (unitedparentsculvercity.com) at a member’s home, explained.
“A bunch of us who have been involved with the parent booster clubs got together because of the issue of (El Marino Language School’s) adjuncts,” he said.
“We realized we had a lot that we should be working on together. We needed to be communicating better with each other, and that led us into talk about forming a group that was more than a booster club.
“We concluded that what we really needed was a separate group that was the voice of the kids, more of a political group than a fundraising group.”
Does UPCC see itself as a fully accredited player at the table with the School Board, the Teachers Union, the Classified Union and the Superintendent or an advisory group?
“We are independent, and we need to be that way from the other players,” Mr. Levin said.
“Not that there is anything wrong with any of them. They are stakeholders in the School District. We want to be the peak voice for the children where we don’t have any other role to play.
“For example, if we were reporting to the School Board, we would be in some sense responsible to the School Board.
“We want to be responsible only to the children.
“We see ourselves as an independent player.
“If you ask, are we an equal player, it depends on the issue and on what is going on.
“At the minimum, we feel we can speak up and make sure everybody hears what the parents think.”
