First of two parts
For an opening act, the well-liked Leslie Lockhart stepped into a sprawling lawn of sticky grass.
Unceremoniously, the School Board had just unceremoniously dumped a popular superintendent, Josh Arnold, before the end of the first year of his three-year contract.
The fire bell rang for Ms. Lockhart, a two-decade veteran of the School District, to serve as interim superintendent.
Selecting Ms. Lockhart as the interim is beginning to resemble an inspired decision.
Most recently she held the title of assistant superintendent for human resources.
She could not have been blamed for feeling apprehensive about her new assignment. How would Arnold supporters feel? Betrayed.
On the eve of America’s 241st birthday, the news only is encouraging and elevating.
Ms. Lockhart’s face glowed as she prepared to speak.
“The best part as been all of the love and support I have received,” she said.
“So overwhelming, so wonderful. Knowing that people are so supportive, excited and happy means a lot to me,” Ms. Lockhart said.
What does an interim superintendent do in her first week?
She laughed, liltingly.
“The story is that in her first week, the interim superintendent gets to see all the things going on in the School District that she may or may not have known about before,” Ms. Lockhart said.
Not anything has surprised her.
With her new, greatly expanded duties, surveying every corner of Culver City campuses, Ms. Lockhart said “I have seen so much that is impressive – starting with the summer lunch program” at LaBallona Elementary.
(To be continued)