July 6, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Could Malibu Split From SMMUSD? Study Takes A Look:

It is not quite a David and Goliath, but the sparsely-populated Malibu and the relatively more dense city of Santa Monica have been at the center of an ongoing question: should the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) split into two to better serve each community’s respective students?

A study funded by a Malibu public education group did not necessarily provide an answer to the aforementioned question, but it did provide some insight as to how a new school district could be created.

Education research firm WestEd stated in a report issued in late November, “a viable pathway exists for pursuing (a separate Malibu school district) while protecting the financial interests of the existing and proposed districts and employee groups.”

One of those groups who seek to split the SMMUSD and create an independent school district in the coastal suburb northwest of Santa Monica is Advocates for Malibu Public Schools, or AMPS.

It was AMPS who funded the WestEd study.

Specifically, the creation of the Golden Valley School District in Central California’s Madera County in 1997 serves as a precedent for those campaigning for a Malibu School District.

“Golden Valley provides an example of a new district formation and may be instructive to demonstrate options for successfully attending to employee group interests, bond management, and starting-up a new district. Several of the issues present in the potential Malibu district formation were present in the formation of Golden Valley,” the WestEd study stated.

The WestEd study addressed three key issues in guiding Malibu officials to determine whether or not to move forward with a secession from the SMMUSD: bond indebtedness, employee rights and collective bargaining, and parcel tax.

WestEnd suggested in its study a bonding authority could be retained, potentially allowing Santa Monica and Malibu to divide existing indebtedness should the existing school board be split into two.

California state law does not provide enough clarity or direction of how property taxes would be split should SMMUSD be reorganized into separate school districts for Santa Monica and Malibu. According to the study, a special state law might have to be enacted to address how to retain existing parcel tax should the school district be split.

The other major issue Malibu officials must consider prior to ceding from the SMMUSD is how to protect employee rights and collective bargaining.

Those working at SMMUSD’s schools in Malibu would be most impacted by a school district split. Specifically, would SMMUSD’s Malibu’s employees still be entitled to the same benefits they currently receive in a new district? Also, would those employees be able to unionize?

Another potential issue, according to the study: when a new school district is formed, an entity would not exist at the outset to provide collective bargaining. However, state law does provide some employee protection during the transition period when the new school district is being formed.

Earlier this year, a similar study reportedly conducted and determined there were enough bond revenues, property taxes, and students to support an independent Malibu school district.

Though it is a joint district, Malibu feels it has been underrepresented on the SMMUSD board. A quick glance at the current board members reveals why: All seven are Santa Monica residents.

The last Malibu resident to serve on the board was Kathy Wisnicki. Her tenure ended in 2008.

In November 2011, the Malibu City Council unanimously supported a petition for its city to cut ties with the current Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) to create its own public school governing body.

Malibu residents have an equal right to run for a School Board seat. However, Malibu-area candidates have a smaller voting pool to draw from, meaning they are not likely to garner enough electoral support to gain a seat on the Board.

In 2012, a slate of three Malibu residents – Craig Foster, Karen Farrer, and Seth Jacobson – sought to have the city’s public schools represented on the SMMUSD board.

However, the candidates did not earn enough votes to challenge a slate of Santa Monica residents who retained their respective seats on the SMMUSD board. Foster garnered 11,653 votes, or a 16.01 percent share of the electorate. He had the most votes amongst the three Malibu candidates.

Farrer finished the race with 9,305 votes (12.78 percent) while Jacobson tallied 6,859 votes (9.42 percent).

Only four of the 16 SMMUSD schools are within Malibu’s city limits: Malibu High School (both a middle school and high school); Juan Cabrillo Elementary School; Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School; and Webster Elementary School.

in News
<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...