A few weeks ago, we wrote in this space about the dire state of public school funding in California and appealed to our Santa Monica neighbors to support Measure S, the school funding measure. Thanks to the support of many in our community, that critical source of funding has been secured for the next six years. So, a heartfelt thank you is due to all Santa Monica residents who voted “yes” on S!
Having committed via Measure S to restoring about half of the $13 million the district was forced to cut, many are now wondering how we “find” the remaining 50% of lost education dollars. Now is the time for the Santa Monica City Council to step up to the plate. The electorate of Santa Monica has spoken with their collective votes and their pocketbooks! There could be no clearer mandate from the people of this community that we do support public education, even when it costs us. Even when federal and state governments abandon us. Even when we are forced to reach deeper into our own pockets.
Sure, it’s a tough budget year for all local communities and Santa Monica is no exception. But this isn’t a “special interest” budget item and it isn’t about “frills.” Can this city allow the very foundation of its community go to seed, with potentially far-reaching implications for our children, their development, their futures and, yes, the community at large? All for the sake of saving $6 million out of a $350 million plus city budget? (Penny-wise and pound-foolish?) We once called upon our neighbors to vote “yes” on Measure S to preserve the future of this wonderful community. And the people anted up.
We now call on the City Council of Santa Monica to dedicate $6 million of the city’s budget for the same objective. City Council, it’s your turn to ante up.
Karen and Lindsay Gardner