October 2, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

School Board Approves Civic Center Joint Use:

Santa Monica’s desire for more cultural and athletic facilities may become a reality by 2016 if the timeline for the Civic Center Joint Use (CCJU) project moves forward as planned.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and the City of Santa Monica have partnered to upgrade Santa Monica High School’s athletic and cultural facilities so the community as well as the high school’s students could use them. The $57 million for the project is going to be funded by the city’s Redevelopment Agency. Those funds could be in jeopardy if Governor Jerry Brown decides to abolish all the redevelopment agencies in the state because of the state’s budget crisis. Despite this possibility this project is still moving forward.

At the April 6 School Board meeting board members unanimously approved the description for the CCJU for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city. The description includes the demolition of the existing gym to make way for a new gym that would range in size from 33,000 to 54,000 square feet. Gym amenities would include basketball/volleyball courts, a dance room, yoga rooms, a fitness room and a pep studio. Also part of the gym would be restrooms, showers, dressing areas and spectator accommodations.

The existing outdoor Greek Theatre would be updated and the current football field would become a synthetic turf field. There would also be shared facilities for the Greek Theatre and field that would include concessions, a ticket booth, restrooms, dressing rooms, props/equipment storage, stage lighting/audio enhancements and new areas for backstage preparations.

Lastly, replacement of the schools exterior courts, pool improvements, and field spectator accommodations may also be made. This will depend on the final refinements of the new gym’s site location.

The next step will be the completion of the MOU with the city.

Budget Update

The Board was also given a budget update for the 2011-2012 academic year by the District’s Chief Financial Officer, Janece Maez. She explained that the legislature has approved the expenditure reductions proposed by Governor Jerry Brown in January. However, “negotiations related to an election [in June] to extend taxes between the Governor and the legislature were stopped last week so the possibility of tax extensions is now very remote.” Without the tax extensions the district will lose at least $350 per Average Daily Attendance (ADA). ADA determines how much the district receives from the state per student annually. She also mentioned that there is a possibility that there may be an additional loss of up to another $300/ADA which would mean a total loss of $650/ADA.

Maez also discussed a list of budget cuts that had been developed during budget discussions for the current academic year which were not made. She stressed that some of these cuts might have to be considered for the 2011 – 2012 academic year and beyond. The district has to submit a three year balanced budget projection to the Los Angeles County Office Of Education in June.

Superintendent Search

After the meeting the Mirror spoke to Board President Jose Escarce about the superintendent search. The board conducted interviews on the weekend of April 2 – April 3 with a panel of candidates selected from a national pool by their search firm, Leadership Associates. He was “extraordinarily pleased with the panel’s quality. We chose one finalist and the next step will be to validate that.” This will be done by checking references and a site visit to the candidate’s current district.

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Interview With Downtown Activist on Being Attacked by Homeless Suspect

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming. @smmirrornews John Alle was hospitalized after...

Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Into Citizen on Venice Beach Boardwalk

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

The Suspect Is Also Seen Drinking From a Modelo Beer Bottle By Zach Armstrong A potential drunk driver hit a...

Beloved Roosevelt Elementary Teacher Kitty Donohoe Leaves a Legacy of Inspiration

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

Longtime Educator Remembered for 35 Years of Dedication to Roosevelt Community By Gail Pinsker The Santa Monica – Malibu Unified...

$10K of Pickleball Equipment Destroyed in Memorial Park Arson

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Thanks to an Outpour of Donations and Support, Storage Bins Should Be Set Up by the End of Next Week...

Revolutionize Your Coffee Experience: Blue Bottle’s Exclusive Residency Unveiled

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

A Full Flavor Coffee Experience With Dessert Meant For Savoring  By Dolores Quintana Blue Bottle Coffee, a well-known specialty coffee...

Rebranded Breakfast Burrito Specialist Still Eyes 2023 Santa Monica Opening

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Earlier This Year, It Was Reported the Restaurant Will Expand in a Different Time Frame Than Initially Expected By Zach...

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...