Periodically throughout Dave Mielkes lengthy two-decade tenure as president of the Teachers Union, some teacher-members have grumbled. They have complained that he wasnt sufficiently aggressive as an advocate for their causes, especially at winning salary increases. Mr. Mielkes supporters and critics agree, however, that as a day-to-day watchdog, he performs superbly. Seldom missing a School Board meeting, he takes a hawk-like interest in the movement of dollars from one pot to another. He is not shy about commenting, with verve. Mr. Mielke began ringing bells when the subject of Mr. Malemans contract was introduced. The publicists 9-month (September to June) agreement with the School District calls for a salary of $34,200. Mr. Mielke never has been known as an enthusiastic supporter of employing a publicist. He reasons that the money could more properly be funneled into teacher salaries.
Teachers Ahead, Not by Much
At the mention of Mr. Malemans contract, Mr. Mielke volunteered the calculation that the publicist was receiving $3800 per month. By sad comparison, the Union president added, first-year teachers earn what he would term a modest $4,038 a month. This computes to barely $238 more than Mr. Maleman. In comparable worth to the School District, Mr. Mielke suggested there is no contest between who is crucial and who could float away un-noticed.
Measuring Value
Computing the precise worth of a public relations master such as Mr. Maleman to the School District is far more complex than opening a math book and fingering an appropriate formulation. Publicists live in a world where the daily weather forecast often calls for universal fog, spinning and blurring. Sometimes it is difficult to separate the classy P.R. persons from the ordinary. Not, however, in the case of Mr. Maleman. Goodwill, imagery and reputation defy yardstick measurements. Every school district requires all three somewhat amorphous assets. Further, after years of experience, success and distinction in the maniacally crowded derby of public relations in Southern California, Mr. Maleman is acknowledged as an expert. To a first-year teacher, or a second- or 10th-year teacher, he should not be compared. His unique, assigned role differs greatly, and importantly.
Two for the Price of Two or One?
To place the moment of clash more fully in context, the still-new Supt. Myra Rivera Cote had been describing for the School Board the outreach she had been doing throughout the District. Attempting to learn the nuances, the differences, the customs, the moods and attitudes throughout Culver City, Ms. Rivera Cote has been conducting her own one-person public relations campaign. The Superintendents travelogue did not escape Mr. Mielkes attention. He wondered, aloud, why Mr. Malemans services were even needed if Ms. Rivera Cote were placing a shiny and new and favorable face on the School District. The School Board indicated it would review the matter later this year. But deliberations, if undertaken, would not affect the contract for this school year.
On the Lighter Side
In her first month on the job after leaving LAUSD, Dr. Rivera Cote still is learning names, even of persons she deals with regularly. In an allusion to the president of the Teachers Union, she referred to Dave Mielke as Steve. Thats okay, Sally, he shot back to Myra Rivera Cote. Dr. Sally, she said, by way of correction.
The Academic Numbers Game
In a modern world where government funding per student catapults to prominence on the budget ladder, surpassing more traditional priorities, it was noted last night that the School District enrollment is slumping. Down 239 students from the fourth month of the school year last year, Asst. Supt. David El Fattal swiftly calculated that to be a loss of a whopping $1.4 million in District revenue. The news that the shrunken funding would take place over a period of time seemed to have been of scant comfort. School Board member Saundra Davis brought up a sour memory for some persons in the District. She reminded her colleagues that when they voted unanimously a year ago last autumn to deny a petition by 377 Ladera Heights students to transfer into Culver City, they were turning down a healthy $2.4 million the District could have quickly added to its coffers. Instead, the School District faces a substantive loss.
Postscript
A substantial number of Ladera Heights students were not white. At the time,it was widely believed the School Boards 5 to 0 vote was not unrelated to race.
