The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s mission is to educate young people, yet what I see is a district too focused on lights and PR and not on helping develop the future. I went to the November 5 school board meeting at Malibu City Hall to share my frustration with the board and the district administration. I was frustrated by their inability to reply to an idea suggested by a member of the SMMUSD community.
On my way, I met a young lady who asked if I could show her the way to the school board meeting. She was a high school student who had driven in from Santa Monica. As we walked I learned that she was the board of education representative from her high school, that she had missed the last meeting because of strep throat, and that her principal wasn’t going to be at this meeting because of a prior commitment.
As we entered the room and I introduced her to the person she has talked to on the phone, I thought my job was done and she would be taken care of. Unfortunately, I was sadly mistaken. Instead of welcoming this young woman, acknowledging her effort, or even making her feel welcome, the board proceeded into the details of the meeting with the flag salute and the approval of the minutes.
I was the first to speak. I used my three minutes and left. I don’t know if the board did or did not acknowledge the young lady before the meeting was adjourned. I just believe that they missed an opportunity to improve the image and public relations of the district because they were too worried about the money and the bottom line and they have forgotten the human part of education.
Ken Harris
SMMUSD Community Member