Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Culver City Unified School District

Karlo Silbiger is a dedicated educator and community activist who has strived to improve the Culver City community for more than a decade. Because Karlo aspires to serve his community to an even greater degree, he has declared his candidacy for Culver City School Board in the November 3rd, 2009 election.

Karlo began his education in Culver City's Spanish Immersion Program, then located at El Rincon Elementary School. As a student at Culver City Middle School, Karlo was chosen by his peers and teachers as their school's representative to the School Board. In this position, he reported on issues affecting the middle school students before the school district's leaders.

Karlo continued his education at Boston University, where he studied education, political science, and music in preparation for a career teaching music and social studies. After teaching for a number of years, Karlo enrolled in the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and obtained a Masters' Degree in Education Policy and Management. While at Harvard, Karlo focused his studies on urban school reform, special education inclusion, and family/community engagement. As a graduate student, he also conducted fieldwork in using data to lessen the achievement gap, creating college readiness programs, and transitioning students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) into inclusive classrooms.

As a professional educator, Karlo has taught for eight years in a variety of innovative schools and programs in both California and Massachusetts. This has included teaching math enrichment classes for seven years in Culver City through the Adult School's Summer Program for Kids, remediating and advancing the skills of countless Culver City students. Karlo currently teaches government, economics, Advanced Placement government, ethnic studies, and music at Animo Venice Charter High School.

In addition to his work as a teacher, Karlo has become a leader in the field of education. In 2007, Karlo was appointed by California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass to serve on her Education Commission. In that capacity, Karlo has advised Speaker Bass on legislative priorities, planned and participated in community forums, and has travelled to Sacramento to bring our school district's needs to the attention of the California State Legislature.

Karlo has held numerous school leadership positions including Director of Education, Department Chair, and Curriculum Coordinator. When problems have arisen, school officials have looked to Karlo as a leader in many reform efforts. Karlo co-chaired the committee tasked with addressing discipline policy and bullying. Karlo was the driving force behind the creation of a school governance council dedicated to involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process. And Karlo has worked with Teach For America to help train new teachers headed to the most difficult schools in California.

Karlo has worked hard to improve our community. While still in high school, Karlo was elected as Vice President of the Culver City Community Network, an organization that surveyed the public on budget priorities. Based on that feedback, Karlo organized educational forums to save nurses, teaching positions, and important programs. He also chaired a banquet that honored Culver City teachers and parents. This interest in community activism continues as Karlo went on to works as a volunteer soccer coach for the Culver-Palms YMCA Y-Winners program, as an active member of the Friends of Culver City Animals, as the Vice President of the Culver City Democratic Club, and as a Delegate representing the 47th Assembly District in the California Democratic Party. In addition, Karlo has been instrumental in electing Culver City's leaders, having worked on and led 10 political campaigns.

Karlo is a proud Culver City homeowner. He resides in the Raintree Condominium Complex.