Santa Monica Prepares For Next Step In Potential District Divorce

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica and Malibu residents have another chance this week to respond to Malibu City Council’s petition to separate from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and form its own school district.

The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization will gather more information and public comment during a third hearing Wednesday at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Malibu City Council has taken preliminary steps to divorce from the district and form its own. District officials warn that if Malibu leaves, it could cause financial harm to Santa Monica students.

Over the last several months, the county committee has heard public testimony for and in opposition to the separation, SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Drati said. The committee is continuing its review of a feasibility report prepared by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

The hearing Wednesday is open to the public and gives the committee an additional opportunity to review and consider public comments and further study the data that clearly discourages approving the separation as the petition is currently presented, Drati said.

The committee voted to take additional time to consider the proposal in lieu of making a decision at the September hearing.

"SMMUSD officials have been in negotiations with Malibu City officials about how to properly allow the Malibu portion of the school district to leave and form their own district," Drati said. "After years of negotiations, school district officials became less optimistic about an equitable departure, as Malibu’s proposals have consistently revolved around an inequitable distribution of financial resources that would cause irreparable harm to students in both Santa Monica and Malibu."

It's still unclear what could happen. As of now, district officials oppose the petition and want to keep the towns unified under the same district.

"While we continue to request that the Committee deny the petition our door is open to unification, Drati said. "We must ensure that students in both communities may continue to enjoy the high-quality education that SMMUSD is known for. We need your help to oppose this petition."

The Committee Wednesday will describe next steps in this process during this meeting, with regard to approving or denying the petition, Drati added.

Malibu City Council aims to push forward in the process.

"The City of Malibu is moving forward with their planning for an independent school district by embarking on a "community visioning project" to define community values, the city said in a statement on Oct. 29.

Malibu city officials circulated a survey to community members Friday to help determine the "values" of a potential new school district. The survey asks respondents to rank their what qualities and attributes they prioritize in different aspects of education like district leadership, school culture, successful students and programming and offerings. The survey also asks demographic information about community members.

The results of the ongoing "visioning project" will include the survey results, focus groups and will be used to address criteria six of LACOE's review process. Criteria six asks petitioners to ensure “the proposed reorganization will continue to promote sound education performance and will not significantly disrupt the educational programs in the districts affected by the proposed reorganization,” according to the LACOE preliminary review.

Malibu's proposal did not adequately meet these criteria in LACOE's preliminary review given financial concerns about a potential Santa Monica school district.

Visit the website for hearing information and contact info to submit an email to the committee.

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