As the Malibu High School students, teachers and parents confront the potential contamination of the school grounds, the Malibu Community Alliance (MCA) joins with everyone in the Malibu community to encourage the school district, Malibu High School and the city to do whatever is necessary to ensure the health and safety of everyone on the MHS campus. The MCA contacted the school district and assured them that we will cooperate in any required remediation effort needed to correct problems identified in the contamination studies being conducted on the MHS campus.Â
We ask all the parties who were aware of this potential contamination problem-the school district, AMPS Leadership, the BB Advisory Committee, the Shark Fund and Malibu High School-to consider steps they can take to improve their communication with the Malibu High School community. While we are certain that there was no intent to hide the fact that contaminated soil was present and needed to be removed from the school grounds, that message never got through. Malibu parents’ request for more transparency is understandable, and we believe that with a little bit of focus these groups can significantly improve the effectiveness of their communications efforts.Â
Malibu High School’s neighbors in Malibu Park are concerned with the high probability that ground contaminants from the High School could find their way into the homes surrounding the school. The MCA is asking the City of Malibu to provide oversight and assurances that all ground contaminants have been removed before any construction or dirt disturbance is initiated at the High School.Â
Finally we want to thank all of the teachers who stepped forward to bring this issue to the attention of the Malibu community. Our local schools and its teaching staff are one of Malibu’s most important resources. Your speedy recovery is at the forefront of all of our prayers.Â
Cami Winikoff, President, Malibu Community AllianceÂ