Bert Lynn

Bert was a Board Member in Torrance when I worked there. He was loud, aggressive and loved to throw his weight around. Bert was Jewish and caught a lot of flack because of it. He served on the Torrance City Planning Commission as his first public position. During that service he acquired a number of street corners which he leased out to retail businesses. He ultimately owned fifty two street corners in Los Angeles County and was a very wealthy man.

Bert wanted to make a difference in whatever endeavor he was engaged in. He decided to push for junior high schools in Torrance. I am convinced he did this because the Superintendent, Dr. J. H. Hull, did not think junior high schools provided the best environment for pupils.

Bert always talked about saving money for the school district but he traveled First Class when representing the District and he bragged about it. He maintained that the District was fortunate to have a man of his stature on its Board and the difference between coach and first class was not a material cost. No employee dared ride first class at District expense. Bert tried to interfere in business affairs and I told him that he would have to get the approval of a majority of our five man board in order to buy a school site or purchase a piece of equipment. He caught on very fast and was never a real problem to me.

One year a group of residents came to a board meeting to protest Christmas plays that were being held in the elementary schools. Bert was president of the board and he told them they were too narrow minded. He said, "I am a Jew but my son is playing Joseph in a manager scene and I think it is a wonderful experience for him." The protesters had no more ammunition.

Bert died of cancer shortly after I left Torrance but his influence on the school district was tremendous and it was both good and bad. His junior highs were developed but not as fully as he had intended.