Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Culver City Unified School District

Getting Acquainted With a Contender for the School Board Excerpt for 2009 interview with Ari Noonan thefrontpageonline(updated)

Gary Abrams, a longtime resident who knows Culver City classrooms perhaps as well as any other candidate, may also carry the lowest profile of the challengers for the School Board.

Quiet to the point of being reserved, Mr. Abrams was a soft-spoken, almost easy to overlook, presence.

Getting Acquainted

Mr. Abrams and his wife, Belinda Corpuz, both registered nurses and the parents of two school-age boys, came to Culver City almost two decades ago to operate a board-and-care facility, and therein lies a telling story.

Ever since the couple's older son, 17 years old, was in pre-K, Mr. Abrams had been volunteering in the classroom. That covers almost a dozen years.

In recognition of his uncommon dedication, Mr. Abrams named Lin Howe School's Volunteer of the Year My journey into politics_

When a Lin Howe teacher asked Mr. Abrams if he would be interested in running for the School Board, especially in view of his wide, first-hand background, his impulsive response was, "Not really."

She did not give up. "You should consider it," the teacher urged. "I will," the reluctant candidate replied.

"The teacher kept bugging me about this," Mr. Abrams said, with the trace of a smile. "Then other teachers came around. They said they thought I should run."

Not very promisingly, he told them: "I'll see."

After gaining a taste of School Board meetings, Mr. Abrams drove out to the Registrar of Voters on the final day and plunged into the candidate pool.

Perhaps the concept that most closely characterizes his embryonic campaign is caution.

At a meeting last week to acquaint the seven candidates with the parcel tax campaign, only Mr. Abrams demurred when the contenders were polled for their support. He said he wanted to further study the subject

The Abrams campaign will be conducted combining old school "word of mouth" and the new age style. Going "Green" the "WEB and Internet."

NO yard signs and mailers. Such a waste of resources and $$$money. Board campaigns can cost $20,000. Why not donate all that money to the much needy schools.

Mr. Abrams feels he already has a substantial base of support derived from former students and their families.

Here is a breezy, introductory, 475-word letter Mr. Abrams is sending to the community.

Time to Say Hello

Dear parents, students and residents of Culver City Unified School District,

I have lived in Culver City since 1991. Really had no need to check out Culver City School system. My wife, Belinda, is Catholic and our kids, of course, would go to a Catholic school.

Belinda and I are Registered Nurses. She works at the VA Medical Center at Los Angeles, where we met. I was the Head of Pulmonary. I also graduated from UCLA`s attorney assistant program.

My oldest (40) and only girl, has an MBA and is a published author, working on her 8th novel. Married and has a daughter, Nia, 8 years old. Google her: Dwan Abrams.

Have thrown my hat into selection process for School Board member "again." Not requesting or accepting any monetary donations.

Had been a volunteer since my oldest son Garet (17) has been attending school. Was selected as president of the St. Augustine Catholic School PTO when Garet was going to second grade.

Felt that we needed to go into a different direction with his education. After intensive investigation, concluded the best course was right around the corner from our home, C.C.U.S.D.

Culver City School District has changed dramatically in the last 4 years and not for the better either, contrary to popular DENIAL.

Garet started second grade at Linwood Howe Elementary. Now in 12th grade at Culver High, an honor student, played water polo and swim team. My youngest, Grant, started in kindergarten and is now in 4th grade.

Chairman and worker of the Book Fair at Linwood E. Howe Elementary School for several years. Many people remind me of the times, carrying my then-six-month-old son Grant in a chest pouch and later in a stroller, while I was manning the Book Fair. My gosh. He's nine now.

Coached Y soccer and basketball. An official referee for AYSO.

Field trip monitor, lice check, hearing and vision personnel. Kindergarten playground monitor, garden and grounds keeper. Run off copies, cut and assemble learning material. Peacemaker, parent and kid counselor. Assist in classroom, collect and check in homework, after school playground monitor. Too many to remember. Whatever was needed. Asked by many "do you work here?"

Recipient of 2008-09 Culver City Education Foundation's (CCEF) /See's Candies Volunteer of the Year for excellence and dedication to education.

Was reluctant to join the fray, mainly because I probably would have to wear clothes. My usual attire is sweat pants, a white tee shirt, baseball cap (team changes occasionally) and sandals. Life was simple back then. Have no other aspiration than to provide our kids with the most beneficial educational opportunity available. I am not interested in "politics." "Just for kids."

Was in the school and classroom on a daily basis. Have first-hand experience. Do not profess to have all the answers, but will have many advisors. Miss the classroom interactions with the kids. I affected only about 25 kids and I am looking at making a difference to all our kids equally.

My agenda is that I will provide decisions based on all the facts researched and base my decision on what is fair and best for the kids.

http://www.thefrontpageonline.com/articles1-6363/GettingAcquaintedWithaNewContenderfortheSchoolBoard