Chardiet served as a teacher for 10 years, but for the last five, she has administered an adult literacy grant for the Los Angeles Unified School District. "It began as a $13 million grant," Chardiet explained, "but funding for the grant is based on successful student outcomes, and in the five years I have been the program coordinator, funding has grown by almost $2 million."

As a parent of two children, Chardiet has served on the La Ballona School Site Council, the CCUSD Community Budget Advisory Board, the PTA and Boosters Club organizations at her children's schools as well as the Culver City Council of PTAs.

Introducing Chardiet, Councilman Malsin praised her intelligence, dedication, and experience managing budgets. "She's also a good person," he said, "and that's a very good start."

Chardiet was also endorsed by current school board member Katherine Paspalis, who said, plainly, "I want Laura as my colleague."