Supporters of Measure CC, the bond issue that will help repair a wide array of facilities across all of Culver City Unified School District's 10 school sites, held a communitywide rally and walk over the weekend of April 12 to reach out to voters and encourage them to support CC when it appears on the June 3, 2014 ballot.
The Yes on CC contingent included people from every corner of Culver City. From past Culver City Chamber of Commerce Chairs Göran Eriksson and Michael Hamill to parent leaders from PTA groups, school booster clubs and United Parents of Culver City, scores of people helped comb the city. All five CCUSD Board of Education members and Culver City Councilmembers Meghan Sahli-Wells and Jim Clarke participated as well.
"It was a true coalition of people representing all parts of our city," said the event's chair person Jamie Wallace, who added that many CCUSD staff members and principals walked as well.
Following the Walk, volunteers enjoyed a barbecue in the park at Carlson Park prepared by moms from the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) at La Ballona Elementary School.
During the walk, Dr. Kati Krumpe, CCUSD's Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, shared with community members the importance of having updated school facilities.
"It is essential that we have updated school facilities that include the technology necessary to prepare our students for college and careers," she said. "Providing learning opportunities for students that align with 21st century learning goals require updated classroom and laboratory facilities."
Culver City High Athletic Director Tom Salter, who joined numerous teachers at the walk, said, "The students of CCUSD need to have a facility that is updated and modern for the challenges ahead of them. We need a first-class facility for our first-class students."
Leading up to the placement of Measure CC on the ballot, CCUSD conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the condition of all school facilities and presented its findings in a Facilities Master Plan, which is available on the district's website – http://www.ccusd.org.
The range of projects funded if the bond passes will include:
• Repairing or replacing deteriorating school floors, walls, windows, leaky roofs, plumbing systems and rest rooms.
• Bringing schools up to modern standards for fire and earthquake safety, removing asbestos, fungus and other hazardous materials, and install needed fencing, lighting, locks and security to keep students safe.
• Installing or upgrading air conditioning, heating and air filtration to ensure healthy learning environments.
• Upgrading and repairing aging school electrical systems, and replacing science labs and equipment so that our schools can offer modern classroom technology and computer science to students.
• Providing the technological equipment and the modern classrooms necessary to ensure that all of our students are college and career ready.
• Providing permanent classrooms for our students in the continuation high school.
The Facilities Master Plan outlines a wide array of projects at each and every school site. Measure CC will improve the learning environment of all CCUSD students – from preschool to high school.
"Unfortunately, because of tight budgets, the condition of our school facilities has deteriorated," said co-chair Kathy Paspalis. "Now, is the time to do something about it. By passing Measure CC Culver City voters will ensure our schools are clean and safe and provide a first-rate learning environment for our kids. Improving our school campuses will also help preserve the high quality of life and strong property values residents enjoy."
Measure CC is supported by all five members of the CCUSD Board of Education and hundreds of Culver City residents. For more information about Measure CC, please visit http://www.culvercitykids.org.
The group is also seeking phone bankers for its get-out-the-vote campaign. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Leslie Gardner at lgardner63@gmail.com.
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