Second of two parts

Re “Choosing Lockhart an Inspired Move”

This is a favorite day of the summertime week at busy LaBallona Elementary, notes Interim Supt. Leslie Lockhart.

A farmers market – from 12 noon to 1 o’clock — has been added to the heavily subscribed Summer Lunch (11:30-1:30) program introduced four years ago by former Supt. David LaRose.

Sometimes Ms. Lockhart speaks in the third person about her freshly minted dual roles of interim super and assistant superintendent for human resources.

Leaning back, she reflected. “What else does an interim superintendent do?” Ms. Lockhart asked. “She still gets to greet all of the new staff that is being hired because of her other job.

She turned to her priority list.

“I have been talking to our administrators about what are next steps are regarding our vision,” Ms. Lockhart said. “There is a lot to do in developing leadership. We have a new principal at Farragut (Elementary), Rebecca Ngo (pronounced No), from the Santa Monica Unified School District. I want to make sure she feels welcome.”

Earmuffs may be necessary across the School District this month and next.

Ms. Lockhart counted 50 projects.

She does not yet have a starting date for the long, long awaited teardown of the Natatorium, just that it is to begin before classes resume.

“Two huge cranes,” in Ms. Lockhart’s words, recently delivered patiently awaited air conditioning units to Lin Howe Elementary and LaBallona.

For a revenue update, Ms. Lockhart has been huddling with Mike Reynolds, the soon-to-retire assistant super for business services, and Sean Kearney, director of fiscal services for the District.

To say it differently, Ms. Lockhart has visited every meaningful corner of the District in less than two weeks.

Meanwhile, the search for a permanent replacement for Josh Arnold, the departed super, is due to start next month.