An Open Letter to Meghan Sahli-Wells

I know parents that are whole-heartedly supporting you based on your work in the community, and I respect that. These parents tell me of the specific things you have done at the grassroots level to help improve Culver City.

I would like to explain my position as a parent who has signed the "protect volunteers and parent-supported services" online petition, and who has tried hard to become informed in the midst of all the rhetoric flying around the adjunct issue.  

There is definitely a "demand to bargain" that has been filed, and is publicly available here:

As you know, adjuncts in El Marino, as well as the classroom aides at Linwood Howe, are paid for entirely with parent donations. As you have been involved in fundraising for our schools, you know how much work it takes to put together silent auctions, ask for pledges and organize smaller fundraising events like book sales, bake sales, etc.

I am completely dumbfounded by a "demand to bargain" over these donations.  No one is disputing the union's place at the bargaining table when it comes to its yearly negotiations over the district's budget. What is outrageous to me is the union's over-reach into wanting to bargain over the charitable donations made by Culver City families to their respective booster clubs.  

When I have written to the school board to ask questions and try to clarify what really may be at stake with this "demand to bargain," only two board members have replied to say they support booster clubs. One board member has said twice they are unable to comment on the matter as the board is awaiting advice from its lawyers.

The other two board members have not replied to any of my emails. This does not help to calm my fears over a possible legal action that could threaten the presence of adjuncts in the classroom.  That is why I have signed the petition - to let the board know I want them to represent my interests as a parent and protect my son's education from the ramifications of this legal impasse initiated by the unions. I believe that just in principle, the demand to bargain should be easily dismissed by our board since the funds are not state funds and are not part of the district's budget. They come from our hard-earned, post-tax, household budgets.  

If you are hesitant to sign the petition, that is your prerogative. But please do not dismiss the concerns of those of us who have signed by claiming we are misinformed. 

Francis Thaler

El Marino parent.  

Editor’s note: Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity.

Be sure to like Culver City Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.