School board-hopeful Laura Chardiet kicked off her campaign Sunday with a large gathering at the home of city councilman Scott and Anne Malsin. Among the attendees were many past and present Culver City Unified School District school board office holders, including Councilman Jeff Cooper, former Mayor Alan Corlin, current school board members Kathy Paspalis and Scott Zeidman and former school board members Jessica Beagles-Roos, Dana Russell and Madeline Ehrlich.
In introducing the candidate, Scott Malsin noted that he has long known Chardiet as a neighbor, friend and a dedicated volunteer for local kids and our schools, but “when I sat down with her, I was blown away,” he said.
“Laura’s life and work have prepared her perfectly for this role. Her experience as a classroom teacher gives her an understanding of what our teachers face every day. Her experience working on budgets and educational grants will help her play a positive role in our district’s budgetary process, and we all know how important that is. And her experience running a large adult literacy program proves that she has the leadership skills that we need. Couple that with intelligence, a great attitude, and a real stake in success, and we have here a great candidate,” the councilman said.
In her own remarks, Chardiet noted that growing up as the fifth of six children, she learned resourcefulness early on.
The school teacher of 10 years said she found the PTA at La Ballona Elementary School “on the verge of losing its charter” when her son entered kindergarten there. “I took my enthusiasm and pulled together other parents who felt the same way, who were happy to let me tell them what to do and today the PTA at La Ballona is thriving,” she said.
Chardiet’s resume of creative, innovative contributions to schools includes founding the Legacy Tile Wall at La Ballona, expanding La Ballona’s International Dinner Show, founding the healthy snack expo, Taste of La Ballona and creating the Culver City Middle School Red Ribbon Week/Red Handprint Pledge to stay drug free.
For more information, visit Chardiet’s website: laura4culvercitykids.com.