After an election season that some have described as the most contentious in the city's history, Culver City last night elected two new school board members -- Steve Levin (with 22.3% of the votes) and Sue Robins (with 18.4% of the votes) -- and re-elected the board's current president, Kathy Paspalis (with 20.2% of the votes).

In recent article in Culver City Crossroads, Culver City Councilmember Jim Clarke described newcomer Steve Levin in this way:

Steve is the parent of three kids in the Culver City schools. He is the president of the Farragut Elementary School Booster Club and was Farragut’s Parent Volunteer of the Year for 2013. So he has been intimately involved in our education programs and curriculum. His day job is as an astrophysicist which is a fancy way of saying he is a rocket scientist and a really smart guy. His theme of “Sometimes it does take a rocket scientist.” is a reflection of the skills set that will make Steve a welcome addition to the school board.

Describing Kathy Paspalis and fellow candidate Karlo Silbiger (who came in fourth in the election, with 16.4% of the votes), Clarke said:

Kathy and Karlo are both incumbents seeking re-election. While they bring different qualities to the board, they are both dedicated individuals who take their responsibilities seriously as elected officials to oversee our schools and our kids’ education. They do their homework, understand the issues and ask thoughtful and probing questions of staff and their colleagues....Kathy is the parent of two kids in our Culver City schools and adds a parent’s perspective to the board. She is a practicing attorney and brings her critical analysis skills to bear in reviewing contracts.

While Clarke didn't mention Sue Robins in his letter, we do have a description from former Culver CIty School Board member Scott Zeidman, who described Robins this way:

Sue has ALL the qualities that are needed for an effective member of a board of education. She has first-hand experience of being a teacher in the Culver City Unified School District....Sue has a business background, beginning her own start-up business in Culver City. Sue has a parent’s eye toward education, raising her two children, volunteering in the schools, and serving as the Co-President of the Farragut Elementary School PTA. From my own dealings as a member of the Culver City Board of Education, I had the occasion to work with, and to observe, Sue in the classroom and with the kids.  I left more impressed each and every time I met with Sue. 

It sounds as if we have three terrific new board members. Congratulations to all.