Culver City High School is recognized as a California Distinguished School (Twitter/@CulverCityHS).

Supporters of the measure, referred to as Measure CC, argue that schools have been neglected and require significant investment to ensure a successful education system.

David LaRose, superintendent of the Culver City Unified School District Board of Education, is a firm believer that the school district — comprised of five elementary schools, a middle school and a high school — is in dire need of improvement.

“When I joined the CCUSD team, the clear direction I was given was to assess and evaluate the current conditions of our district facilities,” LaRose said.

The school board found many potential problems ranging from outdated equipment to deteriorating restrooms. 

Working with the community and facilities experts, the board crafted a CCUSD Master Facility Plan. This plan is designed to inform the community of the schools’ needs, as well as provide a blueprint to making necessary replacements or repairs.

“In recent months, we have conducted a comprehensive needs assessment and sought extensive community input regarding the current state of our schools and facilities,” the superintendent wrote in a flier. “As such, we recognize we must make urgent repairs and upgrades to our classrooms, labs and libraries.”

This flier, mailed to every home in Culver City, introduced the community to Measure CC. If passed, property owners would face an additional annual tax over the next 25 years to raise $106 million in funds. The annual cost per homeowner would equal to no more than $48 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. 

Prior to the flier's distribution, residents were consulted on the bond’s amount and invited to attend several public meetings to ask questions and air their concerns.

“Our process included two public opinion polls and the feedback has been very supportive,” LaRose said. “I have heard from many people, including citizens without children in our district, indicating they recognize and embrace the fact that an entire community benefits from an exceptional school system with high quality educational facilities.”

The district is indeed one that continuously rises and even exceeds standards. According to the flier, the seven schools have all been recognized as California Distinguished Schools, with Culver City High School named a National Blue Ribbon School. Test scores have risen in 10 of the last 11 years. The National Forum has called Culver City Middle School a national “School to Watch.” 

Supporters of Measure CC say that improving the learning environment is crucial to maintaining an excellent school system.

Nancy Goldberg, the school district's vice president, has lived in Culver City since 1962 and is aware of the “degeneration through ordinary use” she believes the schools currently suffer. Since most of the schools were built during the 1950s and 1960s, Goldberg recognizes the time has arrived to refurbish and replace.

“Having wonderful curriculum, programs and faculty alone won’t meet the safety requirements of our students,” she said. “We need to modernize and maintain our facilities.”

With $106 million in funds at stake, the flier promises Measure CC will be used exclusively on school maintenance and not benefit district staff salaries, pensions, or to hire school administration. As Goldberg mentions, this maintenance includes bringing fire and earthquake safety up to modern standards. This also means removing asbestos and other hazardous materials from school grounds, as well as installing lighting and locks. Upgrades for air conditioning, heating and air filtration are also top priorities.

A major issue the board has with district schools is the dated equipment that prevents students from what it calls a 21st century learning experience.

“Our current science labs, for example, date back to the 1950s and have electrical systems so out-of-date that teachers can’t plug in modern learning equipment!” LaRose wrote in the flier.

Naturally, the measure has its skeptics. 

Bob Kramer is a realtor who has supported school bonds for the last 39 years he has lived in Culver City. Though he feels passing Measure CC will make little difference to homeowners in the area, Kramer is disturbed by the frequency in bond measures and has a few questions regarding the board’s plan.

“At some point, you have to ask when is enough, enough?” he asked. “It seems to me that the parents who have children going to the [Culver City] schools are not all homeowners … Why should we be the only ones paying for this?”

Meghan Sahli-Wells, Culver City's vice mayor, has an answer to Kramer’s concerns. As a mother of two, this topic hits home for her. She acknowledges that times remain financially tough on families. Still, she sees the advantages of Measure CC.

“People tell me they moved to Culver City for the schools,” she said. “Frankly, it helps property values. You have businesses who want to be here.”

Sahli-Wells said that Culver City is not in a position to directly subsidize its district schools. Instead, the city council coordinates with CCUSD and works together to save money.

“Santa Monica gives money directly to the school district, but we have no budget like theirs,” she said.

But why is Measure CC a property tax and not a parcel tax? Chris King — a Culver City city council candidate, real estate professional and volunteer at Culver City High School — said bond measures are often preferred. 

“With a parcel tax, it is a flat amount for everyone, whereas a bond is a percentage of assessed value,” King said. “A parcel tax can be more burdensome for people with less financial means.”

The upside to having a parcel tax, according to Culver City Councilman Jim Clarke, is its exemptions. A previously approved parcel tax allowed senior citizens to be excused from paying. Measure CC does not exempt any property owners from the tax.

“Fortunately, a state law was passed which lowers the approval rate to 55 percent instead of 67 percent, which makes it easier to pass," Clarke said. "So do I think it will pass? Yes, but there will be a lot of disgruntled voters."

Mike King, another realtor living in Culver City, also has concerns. King published one of the earliest articles regarding the measure in the Culver City Observer. His main priority is properly informing the public that such a measure is up for debate.

“My only goal is to try to get the word out to all residents,” King said. “This is a huge increase in taxes … The turn-out is low for issues like this that are voted at a school board location.”

Groups like Culver City K.I.D.S. Committee for Measure CC are striving to increase awareness. This organization supports the measure and is actively doing community outreach to ensure it will pass. 

A quote by Natasha Zarate on the group's home page explains why Measure CC is necessary: “Our schools are a reflection of our city. They should be the best they can be.”

Culver City will vote on Measure CC on June 3.

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