Patti Jaffe Makes the Superintendent Pool

A small army of residents, parents, teachers and students gave raucous cheers and a standing ovation when the Board of Education, in a 3-1-1 vote, passed a motion Tuesday night to amend contract, allowing her to apply for the permanent position formerly held by Myrna Cote. The small room on Irving Place was packed with people in support of the motion, and person after person took the podium to speak about Jaffe’s personal touch on the district.

Parents and teachers alike told tales of Jaffe walking the various school campuses, calling employees at home to say “job well done” and taking a vested interest in student performance. Teacher Elizabeth Mejia even said that Jaffe “saved her life,” as Jaffe urged Mejia to take a year off when she was diagnosed with cancer. 

“She has been a personal mentor to me,” said parent Paula Wilson. “I can’t imagine anyone better equipped to handle the challenges and successes of the .”

“At this point not to allow Patti to apply for the position if she desired to would undermine the process itself,” said parent . “It would leave many stakeholders wondering if we chose the best candidate.”  

Jaffe herself looked with affection on each person who approached the podium and even shed a tear as person after person stood in line in favor of her eligibility.

Although the vast bulk of attendees were in favor of the motion, a scant minority cried foul, saying that to amend Jaffe’s contract so late in the process of searching for a candidate would be unfair to those individuals already in the pool for the position. Scott Zeidman, in a phone interview with Patch, said he couldn't disclose how many individuals are interviewing for the superintendent job.

“I am concerned about a process that has turned into a three-ring circus,” Debbie Hamme wrote in a comment card. “All that’s missing is the cotton candy. I am frustrated that a contract was signed, the provisions of which were clear, a process begun and very nearly completed, and we find ourselves right back where we started.”

was the board's lone dissenting vote on the motion, and took time during the board meeting to explain the background of the clause that stated Jaffe could not apply for the superintendent job.

Silbiger said that the board wanted to maintain a “semblance of fairness” throughout the search for a candidate and ensure that the interim superintendent would be “focused on doing the important work of leading this district and not on the search.” Although he commended Jaffe on her accomplishments since taking up the mantle, he asserted: “There are a number of reasons that making this change would be extremely hurtful to the long-term success of the district.”

He cited the original contract—which was finalized in June—and said that the community had had an opportunity to speak up about the language at that point. He also said the board has an obligation to the original contract. Patricia Siever abstained from voting on the measure.

Jaffe and the board are now planning a meeting to discuss changes in her original interim contract.

“The next step is that those board members who wish to speak with Patti to ask in-depth questions will meet with her,” board Vice President Scott Zeidman said. “The board will discuss all candidates, but until we get in the meeting it’s hard to know what we’re going to say. It’s five individuals all trying to do what’s best for the district.”

Silbiger anticipates that "if everything goes exactly as planned" the board should be able to announce the final candidate in as early as two weeks. 

As for Jaffe, she said she is honored to be given this opportunity.

“I think that it says a lot about Culver City and the community, that they are very supportive of people who have been long-term employees and people who work hard and support the students,” Jaffe said.