We are writing this letter to clarify the issues surrounding our submission of the Point Dume Marine Science Charter (PDMSC) Petition and the law that guides this process. The Charter Schools Act (Education Code Sections 47600 et seq.) requires that the Santa Monica-Malibu School Board be guided by the intent of the legislature that charter schools are and should become an integral part of the California educational system and that the establishment of charter schools should be encouraged. The PDMSC petition illustrates the following:
The Charter petition complies in all respects with the Charter Schools Act.
The Charter provides an alternative elementary educational experience that is unique, but not duplicative nor better than that offered by Webster or Juan Cabrillo.
The Charter will allow for an increase in diversity within its student population.
One of the intentions of the Charter School’s addition of 6th grade is to keep more students in the public school system.
Throughout this process, we’ve met with parents, teachers and community members representing all Malibu schools, in order to discuss and address questions regarding the charter petition. This open dialogue of communication between us illustrates the commitment of our community to protect, preserve and enhance our local public educational system.
The part of the charter petition that seems to have raised the most concern is the addition of 6th grade. The concept of giving families an option for 6th grade in an elementary setting is supported by many parents throughout the community. The idea that some 6th graders are not ready to move into a traditional middle/high school environment has been expressed numerous times.
The common thread in the apprehension over the 6th grade is a concern for loss of jobs at Malibu Middle School. We are all concerned about changes at each of our schools and as parents of past, present and future MHS students we are dedicated to maintaining the successful programs in place at MHS. However, this is not a legal basis for denial of a charter. In fact, financial impact on a District is not a consideration for approval or denial of a charter petition. When we considered the addition of the 6th grade to PDMSC, the following conclusions were made:
1. The primary reason for adding grade 6 is to offer a choice to families who don’t feel their children are ready for MHS after 5th grade. Point Dume saw half of its graduating class leave the District for private school last year. Most families have indicated they intend to keep their children at PDMSC if approved and then continue on to Malibu High. Thus, the total number of students ultimately feeding into the middle school will increase over time.
2. PDMSC plans to conduct outreach in neighboring school districts as a means of increasing diversity and offering the opportunity of PDMSC to a broader base of students. To the extent the population of PDMSC increases through outreach to other districts, the potential reduction of students from the 6th grade at Malibu High School is decreased and the likelihood exists for those new students to continue on to Malibu High.
3. Utimately, the number of teaching positions will remain constant or increase due to out of district and/or private school students remaining in the public school system. Additionally, PDMSC’s willingness to work collaboratively with MHS to share programs and resources at the 6th grade level will mitigate any potential impact.
With each elementary school in Malibu having unique programs and strengths, all of our schools remain an attractive and innovative choice for students. A charter school provides an additional public school choice and supports the concept that schools should always be evolving and improving for the benefit of all students. This is an opportunity to improve all of the schools in our community, which is precisely the type of positive competition the Charter Schools Act was hoping to inspire.
We are grateful that parents, teachers and community members, on all sides of the issue, care deeply about our students and we welcome the opportunity for ongoing collaborative discussions.
PDMSC Board of Directors:
Niel Armstrong, Nanette McNulty, Anne Payne, Robyn Ross, Professor Laurie Buchan Serafino, Roohi Stack, and Ali Thonson.