By Wade Major, President, AMPS (Advocates for Malibu Public Schools)
The recent unanimous votes by the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District Board of Education and the Malibu City Council to ratify the agreements that will form the foundation of a future Malibu Unified School District (MUSD) represent a historic and hopeful milestone for our community. Together, these actions lay the groundwork for a fully independent MUSD that is designed for Malibu’s students, families, values, and aspirations, and deeply committed to the support and retention of all teachers and staff — a district which will further deliver unprecedented benefits to all Malibu residents, businesses, and property owners.
When Malibu High School was established in 1992, one year after cityhood, Malibu students no longer needed to leave Malibu city limits to complete their K-12 education. Control of our K-12 pathway and its most critical educational decisions, however, remained with Santa Monica voters and the Santa Monica-dominated school board. Outnumbered 10-1, Malibu voters could do little but watch as Santa Monica schools and priorities disproportionately siphoned tax dollars and resources.
That changed in 2011 when Laureen Sills and Laura Rosenthal formed the group that would eventually become Advocates for Malibu Public Schools (AMPS), delivering the first serious push for an MUSD. When the Malibu City Council took the baton from AMPS in 2015, it was understood the effort would be years in the making, but the stalwart support of successive City Councils, AMPS and our dedicated education community kept the dream alive, leading to this month’s historic turning point.
What can Malibu stakeholders expect when MUSD formally takes over between 2027 and 2029?
- A city that is finally and fully in control of the education of its children.
- A city at long last able to democratically control the manner in which it allocates precious education tax dollars — without increasing taxes that fund district salaries and operations.
- A city in which the hopes and dreams of families and students become not just a reality but educational priorities.
- A city in which former second homes, vacation homes, and short-term rental properties become long-term family homes, anchoring a new generation of residents who will grow our schools, strengthen our neighborhoods, boost local businesses, stabilize our community, and enrich our pool of civic leadership.
- A city that invites all citizens to play a part in shaping a Malibu-focused school district that reflects the unique character of our city, invests local resources locally, and empowers educators to thrive.
Achieving this goal will require broad participation — not only from longtime residents, but from new families entering Malibu through our preschools and elementary schools. Their voices, energy, and ideas are vital to shaping a district that will serve generations to come.
AMPS invites all Malibuites who wish to play a part in this exciting new chapter of Malibu history to join our ranks by visiting AMPSMalibu.com, filling out the membership form, and/or making a tax-deductible donation. You may also use the QR code below.
The process ahead will require patience, care, and sustained engagement from the entire community as we navigate the process of state approvals, the formation of governance structures, the election of our own school board and final authorization and formal separation. This process will ensure a smooth transition that prioritizes educational quality, stability and the well-being of educators and students alike.
We also invite you to visit malibueducationfoundation.org and donate to the Malibu Education Foundation (MEF). Your gift helps meet urgent needs today as Malibu students recover from years of learning loss caused by wildfires and COVID-19, strengthening our schools for the future by providing private funding to support and expand programs within the new Malibu Unified School District.
Whether or not you have school-age children, whatever your academic priorities, AMPS welcomes your passion, talents, and ideas. Even amid extraordinary challenges, we are building upon a strong foundation with schools that continue to rank among the top 100 in California, a state-of-the-art new high school building, expanded curriculum options, exceptional new principals and teachers, and a community that is rebuilding, growing, and investing in its future.
With patience, collaboration, and shared purpose, we have an opportunity to build something extraordinary — an MUSD rooted in local values and driven by collective hope.
Now is the time for Malibu secure its future and establish a legacy for future generations — to turn the corner, align the vision of the city with a vision for Malibu schools, support one another, and work together toward a brighter future for Malibu families, residents, businesses, and teachers.