With the governor’s recent announcement of serious state budget cuts that could slash school funding, Malibu parents, teachers, business leaders, senior citizens, and many others have come together to pass Measure R. Measure R is local funding for Malibu schools that can’t be taken by the state. Malibu has great public schools because we’ve supported them in the past. If we relied only on the state, we wouldn’t have the great teachers and programs that we have today. Measure R, on the ballot this February 5, stabilizes school budgets, retains experienced teachers, and protects critical academic programs in the face of the potentially severe state budget cuts. Measure R does not raise tax rates. It simply continues existing local funding that was previously approved by local voters and is set to expire soon. Measure R also includes an optional exemption for senior citizen homeowners. We are part of a broad coalition of Malibu community leaders who are working to pass Measure R. The coalition includes the PTA of every Malibu school, Malibu teachers, The Malibu Democratic Club, City Mayor Jeff Jennings, City Council Member Ken Kearsley, senior citizens, and many more community and business leaders. We all urge a “Yes” vote on Measure R. Local teachers are working to pass Measure R because it is key for student success. With smaller class sizes and great academic programs, teachers provide individual attention to kids who need extra help, and challenge those students who excel in school. Business leaders are impressed with Measure R’s financial oversight provisions. Measure R requires independent citizens’ oversight of expenditures, and annual audits to ensure that funds are spent as promised.
Our great local Malibu schools need the entire community to come together to renew this source of local funding. Measure R requires a 67% Yes vote to pass on Tuesday, February 5. Malibu volunteers are staffing phone banks and weekend precinct walks to ensure that Measure R passes on Election Day. For more information about Measure R, please visit www.YesonRForOurSchools.org.
Sandy Thacker
PTSA President, Malibu High School
Kathy Wisnicki
Past president, SMMUSD Board of Education
Colleen O’Beirne Brydon
Member, Campaign to Protect Quality Public Schools
Gene Bream
Malibu High School teacher
Ralph Erickson
Retired judge
Ed Gillespie
2007 President, Malibu Chamber of Commerce
Jeff Jennings,
Malibu mayor