This letter was addressed to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education.
I am for Malibu having charter schools and perhaps its own school district, but I believe the following questions and concerns should be addressed and made public.
What is the long-term financial and demographic viability and stability of these plans? Will the community be asked to contribute more than it currently does? Would a parcel tax be necessary and supported?
What will be the services, resources and courses from the district versus if on our own? The cost and experience/know-how differences? Effect on Special Education services and expenses? Will Malibu be able to sustain large expenditures (hospital/home teachings, etc)?
In the case of Charter, how will it affect other Malibu Schools and the district in general? How would a possible 6th grade affect Malibu High School? How are 6th graders chosen? Will special education students be able to go to the Point Dume School?
Why have charters in the past failed and would these reasons affect a Malibu charter? What successes of other charter schools would apply to Malibu?
Should Malibu have its own vote on these possible changes? Can a synopsis of important concerns and answers be published in our local papers?
I realize this type of information should also be coming from the parent volunteers who have worked on these projects and have the answers. I just feel the community needs to know more about these big steps.
I am very proud of the Malibu volunteer effort in its exploration of charters and having its own district. I’m sure Malibu will make its case and I feel the above information will be valuable to our cities.
As a last thought, how can the two cities of Santa Monica and Malibu work together better? What will you do to make this happen and to make sure Malibu gets its fair share?
David M. Kramer