Pink slips to be handed out Saturday.
By Carolanne Sudderth/Ocean Park Gazette
The axe fell at Thursday’s meeting of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Board members approved lists of staff whose contracts will not be renewed in the fall. Per union regulations, dismissal notices must be delivered by March 15. The lists of certified employees who will not be returning in the fall include part-timers, contract employees, music teachers and accompanists, and school nurses. Remaining librarians will work split shifts, transferring back and forth between schools. In addition, schools will lose custodians and other classified (non-credentialed) personnel.
Of the three Malibu elementary schools, Point Dume Marine Science will lose one teacher, and three temporary teachers who were under one-year contracts; Juan Cabrillo will lose one temporary teacher; and Webster “will have larger third-grade classes,” said Principal Phil Cott, if all cuts are implemented and not reversed. Webster, in total, will lose one full-time teacher, a nurse, a librarian and several instrumental music teachers. Cott also said the school will have less money for supplies. At press time, Malibu High School Principal Mike Matthews was away on a school field trip. It is not known how many staff have been cut at the school.
The impact of cuts will not affect this school year said Point Dume Principal Chi Kim. “The only thing that can change anything for teacher loss is if the community rallies and works together to go out and vote.”
Cabrillo Principal Patricia Cairns is hopeful of this. “I truly believe the people of our community will come out and support our schools in the elections,” she said.
Children of all ages turned out in force to protest the loss of favorite teachers-and especially their music teachers.
Patricia Lopez said her teacher had taught her to dream. “[Ms. De la Cruz] said I could be anything I want, and I believe her and because of that, I want to go to a four-year university.”
Another girl asked, “If children benefit from this, why are you taking this away? [We] kids are the future, right? And if you take music away, the future won’t be so bright.”
Arts commissioners warned the board that if the arts programs are cut, they would be gone for good. Chair Gregg Spotts said, “Even if you have to contract [out], do not eliminate it. If you cut it, you’ll never get it back.”
Fellow Commissioner Jan Williamson added, “It’s very hard to restore funds to programs that don’t exist.”
A roomful of Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association members stood in support as Harry Keiley, president of the association, assured the unfortunates the union will be there for those who have been laid off. “We are here to let you know that we will not allow you to go through this alone.”
He laid the blame at the doorsteps of state and federal governments that continue to underfund schools. “Despite having the fifth largest economy in the world, California continues a two-decade long program of spending below the national average.
“This falls behind the ‘No child left behind’ rhetoric that gets shouted from the hills in Washington, D.C. These cuts will leave all children behind-in particular, economically disadvantaged and children of color. As our schools decline, so shall our communities. The electorate must pass the parcel tax.”
In other business, the board cemented the increased math requirement for graduation. To receive their diplomas, students will now need three years of math instruction. This will bring graduation requirement more in sync with University of California admission criteria said Ilene Strauss, chief education officer for Santa Monica High School. Students will be required to take one year of math electives in addition to two semesters each of algebra and geometry. The program begins with next year’s ninth-graders. Proposals to increase the foreign language and arts requirements were put on hold.
At the same time, the march toward a new parcel tax continues. Campaign Committee Chair Ralph Mechur said that Barbara Grover has been hired as campaign consultant. A campaign meeting Monday night will kick off organizing activities, but he said not to worry, “There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved.”
Waxing optimistic, the board began discussing bringing personnel back in the event that funds are restored. Priority packages have been put together in this regard. First on the list are the elementary school teachers, followed by the arts and music teachers. The second wave would bring back librarians and custodians. Administrative personnel in the education office would be the last restored to their former positions.
Massiel Ladron De Guevara contributed to this story.