Unification

 

Editor:

I very much enjoyed your “Unification: Vox Populi” editorial. You raise a number of excellent questions. Perhaps I can help reduce some uncertainty.

Based on both SMMUSD and our own calculations, an independent Malibu school district (MUSD) would be better funded and less subject to state budget cuts than is currently the case. This, and our much closer connection to our community, imply a higher overall quality of education. This might include things like K-12 language programs, an international baccalaureate program, robust distance learning programs, and broader curricula than what we have today.

As a basic aid district, we would be neither directly subject to state budget cuts nor reductions in the student population. Actually, our risk is the inverse. When we improve the programs and services offered by Malibu schools, we expect enrollment to increase. As a basic aid district, we do not receive funds on a per student basis so this would lower the average dollars per student. Of course, this would be a good problem to have and we’ll have a variety of tools to address it as and when it occurs.

As for the cost, AMPS has been very clear in saying that separation would not require any incremental costs to Malibu residents. The existing parcel taxes and bonded indebtedness of SMMUSD will remain in place if there is no separation. If we do separate, we would need to keep those measures in place, but nothing more. Thus, there is little likelihood of relief from these costs in any scenario but nor is any increase to these costs expected or intended.

Many of the questions you raise are difficult to answer so far in advance, but suffice to say we envision a district with a strong superintendent and other professional leaders overseen by committed, caring board members. Having spent far too much time at SMMUSD board meetings, it is certainly my personal commitment to create a governance situation for our schools that focuses on the needs of the children and leaves city politics at the door.

As to your question regarding special needs students, it is both our legal and moral obligation to provide appropriate services in this regard. Like anything we will do, I fully expect that MUSD will incorporate current best practices in this regard and be more than satisfactory to the recipients. In a student centered district, making sure each child’s needs are met is foundational.

Finally, as regards polling, you are absolutely right, public opinion is key to this process. Before a new district can be created, the voters must assent. Likewise, polling and petitions of support are required to even begin the process with the county. Finally, creating a new district is far too much work if it is not clearly seen to be of public value. However, at this time we have only begun a true exploration of the details of this new district. It makes more sense to us to define the shape of the district to come, hold many public meetings to discuss that shape, and to incorporate the best ideas and most heartfelt needs of the residents of Malibu, and then poll to understand if separation as envisioned has the merit and attractiveness we believe it to have. We will be reaching out to Malibu residents regularly in many different venues as this process moves forward. I invite you and every interested person to attend and air their hopes and concerns. This will be our district and it must be one that suits our city, or it is not worth the doing.

Thank you again for your caring concern and I look forward to continuing this dialogue as the process moves forward.

Craig Foster President—Advocates for Malibu Public Schools