Dear Editor:
The Culver City Unified School District, like many others across California, faces a serious financial crisis driven by reduced state and federal funding, the end of pandemic relief funds, lower enrollment, and other factors. In response, at the upcoming March 10th meeting, the School Board is considering cutting two key positions: the District K–12 Arts Coordinator (who also serves as General Manager of the Robert Frost Auditorium) and the Technical Director of the Frost Auditorium, which is regarded as one of the crown jewels of Culver City.
While we understand the pressure to reduce expenses, eliminating these roles would be a costly mistake.
District staff have failed to communicate with relevant art and technical staff and therefore, could not have thoroughly considered the roles and financial impact of these positions before recommending such cuts. It is clear from statements made by the District staff, the Community Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC), and the School Board, that the value of these two positions appears to be misunderstood. We ask for a thorough and fair discussion of their impact across the District. Though we can make an excellent case for the benefits of the arts to the thousands of students who have and continue to participate in CCUSD arts and Career Technical Education programs, for the purposes of this letter, we will focus on the roles of the two positions and the financial repercussions of cuts.
We urge the School Board to consider the roles of the positions under consideration:
District Arts Coordinator
The District Arts Coordinator manages all K-12 districtwide art programs, secures multiple arts and CTE education grants worth over half a million dollars annually, oversees reporting and compliance of grants, coordinates CTE pathways for high school students, oversees our elementary Arts & Innovation programs, and facilitates relationships with local partners including Sony Pictures, Center Theatre Group, Wende Museum, and more. This position also manages operations, rentals, and maintenance for the Robert Frost Auditorium, as it serves as the General Manager of the Frost—combining two critical roles into one position.
Technical Director
The Technical Director of the Frost Auditorium provides operational and technical leadership for one of Culver City’s primary public venues. The Frost is first and foremost the school district’s auditorium. It is host to all school performances, including theatre, band, orchestra, choir, jazz, and dance for all CCUSD schools. In addition the Frost hosts school assemblies, faculty and staff training meetings, the district Spelling Bee, Affinity Group Graduations, Adult School Graduation, Farragut Elementary Promotion, ASB & PTA Talent Shows, Pep Rallys, Improv Shows, School Orientations, Award Ceremonies, etc. When the space is not being used for district events, it is rented to organizations such as Live Talks LA, the Culver City Symphony, Michelle’s Dance Academy, and The How To Academy, amongst others. Our current Technical Director ensures steady, safe operation of extremely expensive specialized equipment, which includes lighting, rigging, sound, and stage construction materials. In addition to maintaining safety during hundreds of events, rehearsals, and classes each year, this role provides students with hands-on technical training that prepares them for college and industry careers.
Should these positions be eliminated, the short term savings will end up costing the District more money and harm in the long run. We ask the School Board to consider and be prepared to answer these questions:
If the Arts Coordinator position is eliminated, who will ensure CCUSD remains compliant with arts/CTE-related grant requirements, write and manage the grant proposals that sustain these programs, and address the potential financial losses or repayment obligations if those grants are lost?
How will CCUSD continue to cultivate strong industry partnerships (Sony, etc.) without strategic oversight?
Although the Frost’s primary mandate is to serve students and staff, it is also expected to generate revenue for the District. Without these positions, who will manage outside rentals and serve as the knowledgeable liaison needed to secure and oversee these critical revenue-generating opportunities?
How will CCUSD cope with the loss of rental income due to the lack of strategic focus on revenue generation and potential operational failure of the Robert Frost Auditorium? (After expenses, the Frost is expected to bring in over $100,000 this year).
Who will oversee Prop 28 implementation and funding?
Who will oversee the safe usage and maintenance of highly specialized equipment in the recently-renovated Robert Frost Auditorium as the current Technical Director often puts in up to 60 hours a week without overtime pay? Who will support and provide leadership for the 27 K-12 arts staff and all of the associated programs?
If the District relies on outside vendors to fill these responsibilities, who will ensure they meet required student safety standards, including mandated reporter training, and who will provide the necessary CCUSD oversight while they are working with students?
CCUSD’s reputation for strong arts education attracts and retains families. If these positions are eliminated, how will the District mitigate the enrollment and funding losses that may occur when families choose schools that demonstrate a stronger commitment to the arts?
These positions are investments that sustain essential funding and programs. Before finalizing these cuts, the Board should consider how much these roles save, not cost, our students and our community.
Sincerely,
Bronwyn S. Jamrok, CCUSD Parent
CulverCityCrossroads is in receipt of a document co-signed by 1,000 additional community members and CCUSD family members representing all ten schools in the District.
