School Reopening Plans To Bet Set In Mid July, Town Zoom Hall Set For July 7

Santa Monica school board officials are shutting down art and other special parent-funded programs in Malibu schools … because Malibu parents have not stepped forward to fund them.

That story in a moment … but first.

The decision on whether Malibu schools will reopen their doors in the fall will be made on July 16th.

And before that … parents and teachers will be invited to state their opinions at a special town hall meeting … via computers …

School board president Richard Richard Tahlvadrian-Jasswein announced the plans to make plans … at last night’s school board meeting.

NEWSCART 75680 meeting RTJ

“The goal the agenda for this board is for July 16th.”

“For us to make … staff will make a recommendation on July 16 … will be the first time that the board can say yes or no to a tangible plan moving forward for the Fall.

“And I believe our town halls are June 30 July 1 first and July 7 seventh but don’t quote me on that.

“Which will be a chance of our community … our about our primary … our secondary  … and our Malibu community as well.

“I think we’re going to hear from a lot of our community.”

School board members last night approved a budget for the district … a budget aimed at cutting a flow of red ink.

There is about an 8 million dollar deficit for next year.

49 teachers got layoff notices … although early buyouts and other one time staff adjustments has reduced the number of laid off teachers this summer to six.

The district was already in the hole before the pandemic and riots hit downtown Santa Monica.

Sales tax revenue is expected to drop 14 percent.

Parents in Santa Monica have been for years … raising money for special programs in both Santa Monica and Malibu.

Art and music classes .

Special programs for science … technology  … engineering and math.

But Malibu parents did not participate significantly in the fundraising.

And with the district moving towards a divorce … Santa Monica parents have cut Malibu loose to sink or swim.

So far … Malibu has been sinking.

The special programs cost 415 thousand dollars per year in Malibu.

Malibu has raise about a third of that this year.

School superintendent Ben Drati last night.

NEWSCART 75678 DRATI MECHUR

“I know in Malibu the campaign starts – I believe – it started today or tomorrow.

“They have a whole letter .. they have a whole game plan … two explain all of that To the Malibu community … so that way parents at least have away to at least understand what is about to happen in terms of out there.

RALPH MECHUR, BOARD MEMBER: “We want all those kids to have all those programs.”

DRATI: “Yes.”

MECHUR: “But I don’t think in these times particularly people understand.

If we tell people that and they know it… it’s great that Malibu right now is stepping up and doing fundraising.”

That was board member Ralph Mechur … speaking after Superintendent Ben Drati.

But what Mechur and the other Santa Monica board members also had made clear is that Malibu is on its own.

There will be no backfilling this year.

The district … and the Santa Monica fundraising group … will not step in to pay for the special programs.

The programs will get cut unless Malibu contributors cough up the 450 thousand dollars.

The parent fundraising drive in Malibu is way behind schedule.

There have been conflicts between the Malibu High fundraising groups … the Shark Fund and Arts Angels … and the various school P T As.

A grand unified fundraising effort earlier this year did not come together.

Just in case you are wondering …. the California Lottery sends just 1 point 5 million dollars to Santa Monica Malibu schools.

In Santa Monica … the city sends 9 point 8 million dollars to th school district to lease park space.

In Malibu … our city contributes a comparatively paltry 340 thousand dollars to the district to provide public access to the fields and swimming pool.

The city of Malibu does not operate any after school recreation programs for lkids … unlike most cities.

Instead … the city relies on the school district and the Malibu Boys And Girls Club for that.

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Speaking of the municipal swimming pools at Malibu High School …. it’s still closed.

So are the fields … and the running track.

While they are closed … the city is not paying money to the school district to lease them.

The City pays an hourly rate for each program that takes place on SMMUSD facilities.

That fee … up to $90 per hour.

The swimming pool is rented for city residents to use.

It’s closed now … but might reopen this summer.

Jesse Bobbett .. the city’s Community Services Director … tells KBUU that

a limited number of swim programs are expected to resume in early to mid-July.

This is … of course … barring any unforeseen issues,

The city says lifeguards are being trained with updated safety protocols related to Covid-19.

The district is in the process of completing some long overdue deck repair work at the pool, so once that work is complete and our lifeguards are recertified, we will resume programs.

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As for the Malibu Boys and Girls Club … it is getting ready to reopen for summer programs.

The club has been closed to kids … but busy this spring.

It has been a food pantry and delivery service.

Staff yesterday was busy getting ready to once again welcome kids.

One staff member per 10 kids will supervise.

COVID-19 protocol will be followed.

There are separate programs for small kids and big kids.

If interested … you can call the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu for more information at 310-457-2582 or follow us on Social at bgcmalibu90265. That’s 310-457-2582 or on Social at bgcmalibu90265.

The deadline for enrollment is next Monday … limited space is available … better call today.