Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District faces the worst shortfall in recent history to an already inadequate budget. There is no uncertainty; a “no” vote against Proposition S will have an outcome that will have a negative effect on this community for years to come. It is not just a protest against issues raised concerning union demands, school officials, programs choices or the administering of budgets. No matter where we choose to send our children to school, as citizens we all have a stake in the quality of public education.
I am proud to be the parent of three children educated at Malibu High School. My son is a senior at Harvard, one daughter is going to be a freshman at Wheaton College, and the other daughter admits to 9th grade in September. I am thrilled that so many people have ideas to improve our public schools; I know they are welcome around the table of education reform – but now is not the time for that. A “yes” vote on S is not the final solution but it is vital.
I have personally been dedicated to highly successful private fundraising in support of our school communities for the past 12 years. These efforts have raised well over a million dollars. If anyone has a recipe that makes “cookies” worth the $1,083,333.33 a dozen necessary to make up the budget deficit, please let me know.
Laure Stern, president
Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families