In what can only be described as a bizarre endorsement process United Parents of Culver City (UPCC) have endorsed current CCUSD School Board President Kathy Paspalis and Steve Levin and have refused to endorse Karlo Silbiger's bid for a second term. They made no endorsement for the third seat.
With months to go before either the filing or election the UPCC appeared eager to support two candidates. In an unusual move the group declared they were “neutral” toward Karlo Silbiger’s re-election and voted to oppose Robert Zirgulis’s second run at a school board seat. Requests by the Culver City Observer to clarify the group’s position and what “neutral” meant went unanswered.
The endorsements were voted on during UPCC’s leadership and representative meeting May 27.
Although there are sure to be additional candidates UPCC held interviews of possible candidates almost six months prior to the election.
They released the following statement on the endorsement process: “To be eligible for endorsement, potential candidates completed a questionnaire which was followed by an interview with UPCC's Pac. The interviews were held Wednesday, May 15 2013. UPCC will either support, oppose or remain neutral on each candidate who completes its endorsement process. UPCC may also oppose or remain neutral on any candidate who does not complete endorsement process.”
Following the endorsements UPCC’s released the following statement about Levin. “Steve Levin is a brilliant man with great insight into education. He also brings resources to the district through his role as a rocket scientist working on NASA projects. He is an award-winning volunteer and school leader. He is a great listener, has built a career working effectively in teams and is very skilled at building consensus. He has a vision for our schools that is very exciting and that embraces the new common core standards to create more project-based learning.”
On Paspalis they added “Kathy has been an important leader for parents on the school board over the past 3 1/2 years. She was a champion for parents on the district-wide parent funding of adjuncts and other positions issue. She has been a force to expand the immersion program into its logical next step in the secondary school. She has toured schools listening to parents’ priorities for the school bond. She is no-nonsense, hard-working and unafraid. “
Levin is a NASA Scientist and the brother of former Mayor and Councilmember Sandra Levin. Levin’s brother is the business partner of former Mayor and Councilmember Alan Corlin.
UPCC will hold a fundraiser and talent show on Sunday, June 9 to celebrate its one-year anniversary and raise money for its campaigns in support of candidates Levin & Paspalis as well as a proposed school bond.
The “5 Months to Parent Victory Fundraiser and Talent Show” will feature acts from Culver City parents. Venue is the Elks Lodge 11160 Washington Pl, Culver City from 7 pm to 9. Admission, which can be purchased at www.unitedparentsculvercity.com includes a one-year membership to UPCC.
Founded in May 2012, United Parents of Culver City (UPCC) gives parents a voice in promoting an educational culture that places the interests of students before those of adults. UPCC is the only organization of parents with elected representatives at every school site in CCUSD. It is open to all CCUSD parents & community members to join and make their voice count.
For more information, please contact UPCC PAC Chair Scott Kecken at pac@unitedparentsculvercity.com or UPCC President Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin at president@unitedparentsculvercity.com
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