Challenger Nimish Patel leads all candidates in fundraising through Sept. 30. He collected $63,000, twice more than the second-highest earner.
By Jonathan Friedman / The Malibu Times
At last week’s Board of Education candidates’ forum hosted by the Santa Monica League of Women voters, no candidate denied Malibu’s right to form a separate school district if it is financially viable and the people of Malibu want it. But several were skeptical whether it would be economically feasible.
“Malibu should have its own school district, however, I realize, based on the financial situation that our state has put us under, that is a very long-range option,” said Barry Snell, an incumbent running for a second term. “Until such time, I believe we need to look at collaborative relationships with both cities.”
There are eight candidates running for four seats on the Board of Education for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. The question about district separation was the only one with a Malibu focus during the 90-minute session.
Nimish Patel, a challenger who sits on the SMMUSD’s Financial Oversight Committee, said he supported self-determination, but he also noted that a district consisting of two cities allows for more course offerings.
“We can do a lot more united than we can divided,” he said.
The concept of a Malibu school district has popped up several times, usually during a period when Malibu residents feel shortchanged on an issue. City Councilmember Laura Rosenthal two years ago began collecting signatures required for a petition to force the county to study the concept. This was during a period when the district temporarily took away promised facility improvement bond money for Malibu High School. She failed to gather enough signatures. Shortly after her election to the council in April, Rosenthal asked the Board of Education to support the process, which she said would bypass the signature collection phase. The board has not taken a vote or even formally addressed the issue since she made the request.
To form a school district, the Los Angeles County Office of Education must make a recommendation to the state Board of Education, which would have the final vote. The question is also put before the voters.
“It is only an issue in Malibu if a majority of the people who have children in the schools really want to seek this out,” said Laurie Lieberman, a challenger who worked for several years as a Santa Monica city attorney. “And with the [Malibu] people who I was speaking with yesterday, I am not convinced that majority exists.”
She added, “Generally speaking, it would probably be financially difficult to meet the standards that would have to be met.” The most skeptical about the concept was challenger Patrick Cady, the lone Malibu resident in the race, who is also a former Santa Monica High School teacher. He noted that California school districts are bridging budget gaps with local funding measures and that parcel tax proposals, which require two-thirds support for passage, have not fared well in Malibu.
Challenger Chris Bley, a Brentwood teacher and a 2008 candidate who finished a close fourth in the race for three seats, said, “If Malibu wants its own district and it can come to the table and make it happen, then I believe that’s their choice to do so.”
Two-term incumbent Oscar de la Torre said, “On principle, I believe every community should have local control of their public education system-I think [Malibu activists’] conclusion is that right now it’s not fiscally viable to break off.”
Incumbent Ralph Mechur, who was appointed to the board in 2007 and ran unopposed in a special 2008 election to complete the term, said, “The community of Malibu I believe should have a discussion about what they see as the future for education in their community. If they feel [separation] is the best thing, that should be explored.”
Jake Wachtel, a political newcomer and former teacher, said, “It would be detrimental for both cities at this point for them to split. Programs would be less robust, which would be a bit of an issue for educating our students.”
The lone candidates forum in Malibu took place at the high school on Tuesday after The Malibu Times went to print. Look for coverage in next week’s issue.
Patel tops fundraising
Patel is the fundraising leader through Sept. 30, according to recently released financial statements. He collected $63,000, more than double the amount of his closest rival. Patel received money from a variety of contributors, including several who gave in excess of $1,000. There is no individual contribution limit for this race. His largest contribution was $5,000 from Kevin Leung, a Pacific Palisades resident who is an attorney with Patel’s law firm, Patel & Richardson.
Bley received $25,000. His largest contribution was $15,000 from his cousin Richard Winterer, a New York City resident who works in finance. Third on the list was Lieberman, who took in $21,600. This included $1,000 of her own money.
Mechur garnered the most money among the three incumbents with $5,125, including $1,000 of his own money. De la Torre received $2,700, including $500 of his own money and $1,500 from family members. Snell raised $1,640.
Cady and Wachtel did not file statements. One is not required from those who raise less than $1,000.