Before the recent meet-and-greet for School Board candidates at Linwood E. Howe Elementary School, I was in a conversation with Mr. Alan Elmont about my lack of local printed press coverage.
(It’s probably hard for a lot of you to believe I am on speaking terms with any of them except Mr. “Z.”)
He stated that “I chose to campaign in thefrontpageonline.com,” and I should do like the rest of the candidates, “go door to door.”
I hope by now you have heard the lines of the other five candidates.
Most of them have it down to two minutes, over and out, except Karlo Sil;biger.
It takes him another minute to recite his high power endorsers.
I gave Mr. Elmont my really look, “door to door?”
Me?
What Is a Good Time?
Remember, most working people get home from the job around 4:30, tired, hungry and in some cases angry.
I‘ve heard a lot of people are not happy with their jobs. Thank God, I am not one of them. Love my school volunteer job, watching and helping kids grow. Would not trade it for anything.
Maybe around 6: o’clock, when it is beginning to get dark, I start making my rounds.
I knock on the door.
Looking through the peephole or a crack in the door.
“Good evening, sir or madam. Can I come in for a half hour or longer?
“I am running for the District School Board.”
If you have ever read any of my articles, you know it can take a while. And that is just for one article.
At the Linwood Howe meet and greet, each candidate was given five minutes to introduce themselves (two minutes more than any of the other forums).
One Who Has a Lot to Say
The only candidate other than me who ran out of time was Karlo.
And that was in the middle of his greatest hits list.
Dr. Patricia Seiver ran out of time also, but she was trying to explain one of her plans to improve the District’s schools.
Linwood Howe is my home. That is where the parents and kids know me.
Remember, I am the Volunteer of the Year there.
Not bragging just reminding you of my distinguished title.
Can any one of them make that claim?
So I skip the introduction and proceed to start my unrehearsed conversation about how discipline is a big problem in the classroom, teachers are stressed, parent participation is low to non-existent and the test scores are failing.
Not one of the educators is addressing these problems.
Why? Because they are not aware of what is going on inside the classrooms of our schools.
They are addressing everything except what affects the finished product, our kids.
Time is up.
Okay, I’ll talk to you later.
I spoke third because the others had another engagement.
Would have spoken last, but Mr. Elmont requested it first. Mr. “Z,” Robert Zirgulis, wanted to speak before me.
But my neighbor wanted to hear me speak. She has been to all of the live forums, so she has seen only the worst of me. Hope she doesn’t give up on me?
Mr. “Z” informs me that there is another engagement that Kathy Paspalis and Karlo are headed to. Found out that it was the Democratic Club meeting. I passed on it.
My mother did not raise a fool. But just the idea that an event would be going on and not have the option is truly unfair.
This brings up the issues.
I looked over all the literature the other candidates have published, either on their websites or printed materials, to see if I can get clued into the issues.
1. Help eliminate student-bullying issues. Too late!
C.C.U.S.D. formed an anti-bullying task force in the fall of 2008 to determine the extent of bullying in Culver City schools.
Oct. 12, 2009. From C.C.U.S.D., Educational Services:
Dear Parents: C.C.U.S.D. is fortunate to be included as one of 28 districts nationwide participating in a study on bullying at schools.
2. Preserve small class sizes.
The Office of Guidance and Instruction is working diligently to reduce crowding that currently exists in some classes.
Board adopted policy increasing K-3 class sizes from 20 to 22-23 — from thefrontpageonline.com, March 10, 2009.
3. Generate new revenues. Parcel tax, Measure EE. Annual potential, $1.2 million. The past two years alone, $6 million has been cut, and the District is facing $3 million more in cuts.
4. Maximize limited resources. Make balanced budgets cuts that don’t hurt our students.
“Going through recommendations by the District line-by-line, the Board made every effort to retain teachers, instructional aides, people close to the classroom,” Mr. Elmont said. From thefrontpageonline.com, March 11, 2009.
5. Partner with brethren the city of Culver City to engage in creative fundraising and cost saving programs.
It was serious and productive when School Board and the City Council sat down together — from thefrontpageonline.com, Dec. 18, 2008.
Still unresolved:
“Over the past 4 years,” according to a friend of Ms. Paspalis, “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kathy as we attended School Board meetings, discussed issues facing our district and brainstormed to find innovative, cost-effective solutions. “She continues to impress those who meet her with her intelligence, managerial skills, her ability to zero in to the heart of an issue and figure out how to solve it. “Kathy has already served our district well by her attendance and participation at School Board meetings, her service on Site Council, and her involvement with finding answers to the elective dilemma faced by students at the Middle School.”
On Other Topics
Eliminate administrative perks and inflated consultant fees.
Green the schools.
Be sensible and pragmatic in bringing solutions to this budget crisis.
Clear and compassionate thinking.
Short-term solution with long-term vision.
Institute long-range plans to secure the School District’s future.
Take on these challenges and bring new solutions to existing problems.
Need to have more community involvement on a volunteer basis to supplement all of our classrooms.
Partner with community with volunteerism and donations at a greater level.
Yep, I am confused.
I have been on the wrong trail all this time.
Focusing on the classroom battles of the kids and the teachers. The lack of community and parental support. Strained relationship between teachers and the administration. Declining test scores. The deteriorating physical condition of the District’s property.
(I will deal with that later.)
Hope it is not too late for me.
Why didn’t some one tell me sooner?
Maybe I will take my marbles and go home.
Do not count on it.
Mr. Abrams may be contacted at gabrams@ca.rr.com
