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Choosing Sides: Clarke Says He Backs the Parents

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Re “Parent-Supported Services: Where Do the Candidates Stand?

Jamie,

I have just seen your article in The Front Page Online on this subject, and I wanted to comment, especially since you have requested a comment.

I have to admit that running for the City Council has kept me so busy and focused that I haven't been able to pay the amount of attention to this issue that I would like to give it, that it deserves. After all, a large measure of the quality of life in our city is the quality of our schools.

I did attend a School Board meeting several weeks ago and listened to the parents. I am in full support of their desire to help improve the quality of their children's education through the adjunct program and to maintain it as a parent-controlled program.

I think so highly of the adjunct program that I would like to see a similar program expanded to all of the Culver City schools so that all of our teachers could have access to parent-supported aides in the classroom.

In my discussion with each of the School Board members, I pledged that if elected to the Council, I would help the District find or raise additional funds to replace those being lost due to the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agencies. Encouraging our parents to provide additional financial support to our schools should be one of our priorities. Something like the adjunct program is an excellent way to appeal to parents, but only if they are able to control how the funds are spent.

So I thank the parents who have provided the financial and emotional support to the adjunct program in the past and I encourage all of Culver City school parents to become more active with their child's school.

Jim Clarke, candidate for the City Council, may be contacted at jimclarke4culvercitycouncil@gmail.com