From the editor: This section is dedicated to the Public Forum, where we publish opinions on public and social issues that affect the Malibu community and our readers at large.
Time to take look at locally controlled school district
We don’t yet know whether Malibu’s breaking off from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District to form its own district would be a good idea, but it might be, and it’s time to explore it.
A petition is now being circulated to gather the required signatures of 25 percent of the registered voters in what would be the new Malibu district (any part of the current district that isn’t in Santa Monica). The petition simply allows the consideration of the issue by the Los Angeles County Board of Education and, ultimately, by the State Department of Education. Signing a petition is not a vote in favor of or against reorganization; it merely allows the investigation process to begin.
If, after an in-depth analysis of many factors (academic, financial, environmental, social, etc.) and community meetings for public input, the county and the state deem that dividing the district would not harm the students of Malibu or Santa Monica, the issue would then be turned to the voters, either all of those in the current district or only those in the new Malibu district.
Those who support a reorganization of the district argue that because Malibu represents only 15 percent of the voters, it does not have substantial influence on bond measures and parcel tax votes. Santa Monica numbers also control the election of school board members. Beginning with the November election, there will be no Malibu resident on the board for the first time in decades. Local control may increase participation by Malibu residents in many aspects of school district policy and decision-making, because meetings would all be held in Malibu (as opposed to Santa Monica), and we could concentrate on issues that are specifically pertinent to our schools and community. Those with concerns about separating from the current district say our schools are doing very well now and that a smaller district might have a hard time funding programs that benefit from economies of scale.
Due to the complexity of the district budget, it is difficult to determine in advance whether a Malibu district would end up with more or less money per student. Currently, Malibu residents contribute 30 percent of the district’s parcel tax and school bond revenues. Since only 20 percent of the students are from Malibu, we receive far less than we put in from these two funding measures. Most education funding comes from the state on a flat, per-pupil basis, and school districts are limited legally in how they can increase financial resources.
If reorganization were to be approved by the relevant authorities and by the voters, SMMUSD teachers would be offered the option of teaching in either district. The Malibu district would initially be required to maintain the conditions of the union contract in place at the time, and would also inherit future retirement obligations. All school properties would become assets of the district in which they would be located, which might require financial compensation by one entity to the other.
This reorganization effort is similar to the formation of Malibu High 16 years ago. Malibu High School became a reality in spite of opposition from Santa Monica residents who felt it would hurt the district and Santa Monica High School. Contrarily, MHS has become a wonderful asset to our district-a high school that has been ranked among the top 100 in the country; a high performing school with winning sports teams, exceptional arts programs, an exemplary Special Education department and many academic honors. It has become a vital community resource and center and a great compliment to Samohi. This district reorganization is similar. We believe a Malibu Unified School District will benefit all students in both communities and help strengthen local community ties.
We are asking for your help right now in the petition process. We need to get these signatures to trigger the county analysis. Again-this reorganization will be analyzed by the county, the state and finally determined by the voters. But it’s time to get the process started. With Malibu’s growth and maturation as a city, it is time to take a serious look at a locally controlled and governed school district.
Please consider signing a petition to ask the county to analyze this possibility. You may see us with our clipboards on Election Day, at soccer games and at the markets. Please stop and help us with your signature.
For more information or to help the effort, please e-mail drlaurar@verizon.net
Heather Anderson
Colleen Baum
Colleen O’Beirne Brydon
Laura Rosenthal
Laureen Sills