Here in Culver City, we have a unique situation. We are one of only five communities in California where the city limits and school district boundaries are congruent. This means that both authorities share the same electorate. More importantly, it means they share the same property tax base.
School Board members need to remember that even though the CCUSD is an independent governmental agency, it is not alone in this isolated isle we call home.
Right Hand, Left Hand
Has the School Board discussed with our City Council the long-term consequences of passing a multi-million dollar school bond measure and the effect it would have on the city’s ability to pass its own municipal bonds for future sewer or other infrastructure repair?
Wouldn’t it be best for our community to have its two governing bodies get together and try to coordinate their efforts, making sure the needs of both are met without overburdening property owners? Have there been any District/city discussions? Or does this School Board see bond funding on a first-come, first- served basis? Sorry, Council. You snooze, you lose.
Over, Under and Through?
Recently one School Board member publicly admitted that the obligations of this elected office were turning out to be a much greater drain than expected. She is feeling overwhelmed and undercompensated.
Twisted Logic
Here is an ironic fact: Last year, the current School Board’s twenty regularly scheduled meetings were the least number by any Board over the past seven years. There were four extra special meetings called, for a grand total of twenty-four. According to the CCUSD website, thirty is the average number of public meetings held by earlier School Boards, a 20 percent decline in regular meetings.
Maybe that is the reason preliminary groundwork for the bond didn’t get done in a timely matter. They were not in session to do it.
Now is Our Chance
Yet didn’t they just vote themselves a raise last month after our schools let out and District families were focused elsewhere, on their summer vacations? In seeing this reduced schedule, do you think they deserved a raise?
‘A Failure to Communicate’
By the shock and dismay shown by two of the members at the July 1 School Board meeting, it would seem our Board members had not even formally discussed their thoughts among themselves about the best timing of putting a bond measure on the ballot.
Who’s at the Helm?
Although there is plenty of blame to go around to all our current Board members for this embarrassing situation, one should not lose sight of the fact that this happened under Kathy Paspalis’s watch as Board president.
A Board president is expected to lead. Given the present impasse, it appears Ms, Paspalis has not led. If this measure does not get on the ballot in November, voters should hold her most responsible for wasting our money in trying to rush this bond onto the ballot.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
