CEPS Wishes for Warm Happy Holidays -- Then Roll Up Our Sleeves to work to protect SMMUD’s Excellent Public Schools in the New Year

December 2009 brought some interesting juxtapositions in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District.

The Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs, the ever-vigilant champions of and advocates for all students, held its annual Holiday Breakfast at Duke’s restaurant in Malibu bright and early Tuesday morning, December 9.  PTA’s breakfast is always a cozy gathering of leadership from within our schools and two cities.  The tone is one of congratulations for difficult jobs well done in challenging times, coupled with celebrations of remarkable work being done by and for the students in SMMUSD.

Just two days later, the Santa Monica Malibu Board of Education was presented with a staggering list of emergency budget cuts to consider, each of which would cause pain for our families, diminish the educational experience for our students, and make teachers jobs more difficult.  Collectively, these cuts, which include  lay-offs of as many as 114 teachers and staff, could dismantle the excellent public schools we rely on here in Santa Monica and Malibu.  Download three important 2010-2011 budget documents here. 

Education funding cuts caused by California’s devastating budget crises haven’t made as much noise here in Santa Monica Malibu, as they have in neighboring communities, many of which have already dismantled public education in their K-12 schools.  Of course, the most fundamental reason that our schools have not been hit quite as hard as neighboring districts, is the sizeable local financial support that our communities make.  Local parcel taxes, direct contributions from our cities, and individual contributions provide nearly a quarter of SMMUSD’s income.

However, another huge reason that we haven’t heard as much about State funding cuts in our local schools comes, in great part, from the wise fiscal management of SMMUSD district funds.  When Sacrament pulled the rug out from under K-12 education funding, SMMUSD had sizeable reserves, which have tided us over the worst of the cuts last year, even though the district made cuts in the 2009-2010 school year of more than $4.5 million.  However, because of the magnitude of cuts coming from Sacramento, SMMUSD reserves are coming to an end.

Last month’s State of Our Schools events provided the community of the first glimpse of the size of the problem facing our schools in the upcoming school year.  Check out the articles about that event in the Malibu Times and Santa Monica Daily Press.

And finally, the last week of school in December held a multitude of holiday celebrations and performances.  Students in every one of our schools across our district were able to shine, proudly displaying the hard work and accomplishment offered to them in the numerous, and acclaimed arts programs offered in our schools.  I found it difficult not to wonder, as I watched my son’s orchestra performance at Santa Monica High School’s Winter Concert, how long this nationally and internationally renowned program would be able to survive.  And should this program be one of those fortunate enough to continue, how many other programs would fall away in its wake?

Superintendent Tim Cuneo’s wishes for those attending the PTA Council breakfast were heartfelt and grateful.  However, he also told the education community to roll up their sleeves and get ready for a lot of hard work in the new year ahead.  It will require everyone working together in 2010, he said, to help preserve and protect the excellence of Santa Monica and Malibu schools – to help maintain opportunities for all students – and to get to the holiday season this time next year, with our schools still in tact.

THE STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS - California's Sinking Ship Saves Teachers & Students Last

The State of Our Schools events (in Santa Monica and Malibu, November 17 & 18) were created four years ago to celebrate incredible students and teachers -- their successes and achievements. This fourth-annual presentation felt like a wake – in advance.  The same incredible achievements were there --  the passion and commitment to help all students succeed -- but it felt like that might not be able to continue for longer.

It’s no surprise to any of us who are involved with education that California’s crumbling economy is decimating public education up and down our formerly Golden State. In most counties, schools are being shuttered, intensive services for struggling students forgotten, and programs like PE, arts and college prep fading into distant memory.

Because of careful fiscal management,  local support from our cities of Santa Monica and Malibu and the extraordinary support of community residents in the form of local taxes, our Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has been able to stave off most the draconian cuts that our neighbors have already suffered.

“Not for long”, however, was the message I heard loud and clear at the State of Our Schools events, co-sponsored by the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, the Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs and the political action committee, Community for Excellent Public Schools. On November 17th, the event took place at the Malibu High School Library and was attended by about 50 people, and on November 18th, it was held at the SMASH/John Muir Elementary School cafetorium and was attended by about 100.

SAMOHI MADRIGAL SINGERS AND CHAMBER CHOIR

The November 18th event in Santa Monica opened with a classical choir performance by Santa Monica High School’s two top vocal ensembles. Under the direction of Samohi Choir Director, Jeffe Huls, the extraordinary group of more than twenty students enchanted and inspired.  CLICK HERE to listen on You Tube.

SMMUSD ALUMNI PRESENTATION

Opening the evening, SMMUSD Board of Education President, Ralph Mechur presented a look at some inspiring SMMUSD alumni, during which he sought the help of the Board of Education’s two youngest members, themselves SMMUSD alumni, Ben Allen and Oscar de la Torre.

CLICK HERE for the presentation, which is viewable as a terrific online slideshow. It features Atlantis Space Shuttle Mission Specialist, astronaut Randy Bresnick, Samohi grad ’85, whose wife is due to give birth to their second child as he orbits Earth.

CALIFORNIA PTA PAST PRESIDENT PAM BRADY GIVES KEYNOTE

Immediate Past President of the California State PTA and SMMUSD alumnus, Pam Brady gave an inspiring, if very gloomy keynote speech. In it, she accused the State of California of abdicating its responsibility to an entire generation of children as it balanced its budget woes on the backs of their education.

PTA, being the largest all volunteer organization and lobbying group in the country, Ms. Brady urged all Californians to never give up on advocacy.

THE STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS ADDRESS

Superintendent Tim Cuneo’s State of Our Schools address was a comprehensive presentation detailing Santa Monica and Malibu Schools' mission, 2009-2010 priorities, achievement and financial challenges.

Superintendent Cuneo said that SMMUSD receives nearly three-quarters of its operating revenue from the State and yet and new Pew study found California, “on the brink of insolvency, in great part due to the supermajority needed to pass any funding increase, effectively allowing a small minority of hardliners to hold our kids’ futures hostage. 

In fact, the next day, the Los Angeles Times published this story:

State's school funding process is failing

STUDENT AND TEACHER PANELS

The most remarkable part of the presentation came from dedicated teachers and eager students, telling their stories. The theme of the specialness of Santa Monica Malibu schools emerged again and again.

At the end of this inspiring and, ultimately, heartbreaking presentation it seemed clear; advocacy is the only game in town – and we had all better start playing as hard as we can.

State of Our Schools -- Fourth Annual Report to Community

              

COMMUNICATION -- A CORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SCHOOLS

Fourth Annual STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS Events

November 17^th (Malibu) & November 18^th (Santa Monica)

The institution of public education, along with local governments and police and fire services are public trusts.  Their ability to succeed in their missions to serve their public lies, in great part, in the public’s trust in their ability to provide that service.  Public education, like other public services has been hit hard by California’s State Budget crisis.  However, Santa Monica-Malibu schools also have many successes to report.

On November 17^th (Malibu) & November 18^th (Santa Monica), the Santa  Monica-Malibu Unified School District, in partnership with co-sponsors, the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, and the political action committee, Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) will present the Fourth Annual STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS report.  These events will showcase and highlight SMMUSD accomplishments and challenges, providing a comprehensive report to its communities.

The programs will feature Ms. Pam Brady, Immediate Past President of California State PTA, presenting a State perspective.  SMMUSD Board of Education President Ralph Mechur and Vice-President Barry Snell will highlight alumni.  Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Tim Cuneo will then provide the State of Our Schools report, touching upon most current information on student achievement, district funding and upcoming initiatives.  The presentation will conclude with a panel of students and teachers from Santa Monica High School and Malibu High School sharing their experiences. Entertainment will also be provided by SMMUSD high school musicians.

After the presentation, refreshments will be served.  Superintendent Cuneo, Board of Education members, Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs President Shari Davis and other school leaders will be on hand to answer any questions.

The events will run from 6:30 – 9:00pm.  November 17^th, Malibu High School Library.  30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu.  November 18^th, SMASH/John Muir Elementary School Cafetorium, 2526 6^th Street, Santa Monica.

CLICK HERE to download a complete event flyer.

For more information:

www.excellentpublicschools.org

www.smmpta.org

www.smmusd.org

School Funding and Advocacy for 2009-2010 and Beyond

The beginning of the school year is such an exciting time, so filled with promise for the future and new horizons just waiting to be conquered by bright and eager budding adults.  As a brand-new SAMOHI parent, with my oldest child entering 9^th grade and many years as an SMMUSD parent ahead -- those new horizons seem endless.

 
On vacation this summer on the Oregon Coast this summer, I struck up a conversation with another new high school mom, who had just finished registering her daughter for 9^th grade.  However, early in our conversation, I realized that her experience couldn’t be more different than the one I just had at SAMOHI.  Her child’s high school has lost more than half of its students to the national dilemma of declining enrollment.  With only 255 students, more than 50% socioeconomically disadvantaged, this school offers only one foreign language, two AP courses and six athletic options.  Fewer than 15% of graduates move on to college, and acceptance at a four-year college or university is a rarity.   In fact, this high school doesn’t offer the coursework necessary to meet rigorous UC or four-year university requirements.  Struggling students have even fewer resources, with no special education or intervention offerings and, not surprisingly, this school has a drop-out rate just under 50%.

I started to have a familiar feeling, one that I had first felt a few years before when speaking with PTA leaders from other California school districts -- a sort of "embarrassment of riches" when thinking of the array of choices presented to our SMMUSD students. Having spent the last decade of my life advocating to protect the integrity of our own Santa Monica – Malibu public schools, I was well aware of the rigorous college-prep classes at our high schools; the multiple foreign languages, Advanced Placement courses across every discipline, sports and arts groups that routinely win State and National honors, and annual college acceptances at the most prestigious colleges and universities worldwide.  Students who may not be college-bound also find an extraordinary range of support, intervention and, award-winning technical education.

The Oregon public schools began their downward spiral more than 50 years ago, as voters repeatedly failed to support public school funding measures.  Sadly, California public schools are not too far behind.  The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 initiated our own state’s fall from national leadership in achievement and school funding, to its current position as 47^th in the nation.  However, this year’s state budget crisis has slashed education funding even more deeply, forcing districts up and down the state to close schools; to eliminate programs, class offerings, student services, and to increase class sizes.

The Difference is Local

So, what explains the difference between SMMUSD schools and other schools withering under the stress of decades of inadequate education funding?  Simply put, the integrity of our schools has been protected to a large degree by local funding.  Local voter-approved education funding measures, and direct funding agreements with the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu account for nearly 20% of SMMUSD’s general fund operating budget – 20% that makes the difference between preparing our kids for the complex future that awaits them …and not.

In reality, SMMUSD’s offerings are anything but “riches”, but are the bare minimum that should be offered to all students for a well-rounded, college-bound education.  The curriculum and services offered to our SMMUSD students now, in 2009, are far less than what we received in California public schools a generation ago.  This educational erosion has been going on for decades, as K-12 public school funding was always the first stop for legislators looking for cuts to balance state budget shortfalls.    In the face of relentless and crippling declines to education funding, basic comprehensive public education, which can allow each student the opportunity to reach his or her potential, may feel like riches in comparison to some other districts, but we as parents know it is not.   SMMUSD’s ability to provide this “bare minimum”, is really quite extraordinary -- and is possible only because our community voters and leaders have made the hard choice to dig deep into their own pockets to make public education a top community priority.  Our communities’ generosity and commitment to public education makes it possible for our schools to retain some of the integrity that had been expected in years past.

Our Schools Today

California’s State Budget was passed this summer and, once again, puts our local schools in jeopardy.  We all know that K-12 education was hit hard by the most recent California State budget.  In response to massive cuts in State funding to our schools, our district’s primary funding source, SMMUSD already cut $4.5 million from its 2009-10 budget. 

But those cuts are just the beginning.  In addition, SMMUSD faces shortfalls of $11 - 12 million over the next 18 months.  To close this shortfall with cuts alone would truly decimate our schools, so Superintendent Cuneo, Chief Financial Officer Jan Maez, all of SMMUSD Senior Staff, the Board of Education, the Financial Oversight Committee and other concerned groups are pulling together to examine all possible solutions. 

What Can You Do?

1. Stay Informed -- The most important thing that every parent can do is to be aware and to stay informed.  Below are some websites that can keep you abreast of current and important information about education funding for SMMUSD and for the State of California.

·      SMMUSD’s District Website page on budget development: http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/0910BudgetInfo.html

·      State Budget analysis from California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr09/yr09rel86.asp

·      Edsource: http://www.edsource.org/school-finance.html

·      Santa Monica Lifelong Learning Community http://smllc.org/newsletter.html
       Community for Excellent Public Schools: www.excellentpublicschools.org

2. Stay Engaged – Great advocacy creates laws, saves lives, and truly changes the world.  Advocacy on behalf of Santa Monica and Malibu schools has a great tradition and impressive track record.  Participate in and join one of the many groups or organizations that support our schools:

·      Join PTA!  Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs (serving all schools) http://www.smmpta.org

·      Attend SMMUSD Board Meetings and read Board of Education Agendas http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html

·      Attend Financial Oversight Committee Meetings http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/financialDAC.html

  Join CEPS!  www.excellentpublicschools.org


3. Stay Positive – Budget cuts of $12 million over 18 months could have lasting impacts, not only for our students, but also for our communities.  However, SMMUSD is peopled with a unique coalition of activists, educators and students who have seen and weathered budget storms before. We have demonstrated the unique and enviable ability to join together in times of crisis.  Creative solutions, collaboration across every perceived barrier, and a commitment to create opportunities out of adversity, will help ensure that Santa Monica-Malibu schools continue to provide all students with the comprehensive public education that they need and deserve.

So What has CEPS Ever Done for Me?

Santa Monica and Malibu students, family members, community members, home owners, renters, business leaders, city leaders, neighborhood groups and senior citizens have all benefitted from CEPS ten-year advocacy for excellent public schools.   CEPS knows that excellent public schools directly impacts the quality of the community itself.  CEPS steadfast mission to protect and enhance the integrity of public education in Santa Monica and Malibu is felt in every corner of our communities.

CEPS

History and Timeline

1999 – 2009

Introduction: 

In the ten years since its origins, Community for Excellent Public Schools has been instrumental in garnering local resources that total close to $20 million annually for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

The efforts began in early 1999, when Linda Gross convened a “casual gathering” to discuss and strategize about assisting SMMUSD, specifically Superintendent Neil Schmidt, with communication and seeking revenue sources.  The group, sought out to represent a broad political cross section (SMRR and Chamber, Education Foundation, PTA, vocal parents), generally meets over lunch on Fridays.

And from most recent activities, to its inception…..

May 2009

Santa Monica City Council gives priority to $81 million in redevelopment debt capacity for Civic Center Joint Use Project, advocated for by Santa Monica High School coalition; CEPS endorses project and testifies at Council meeting.

April 2009

Santa Monica City Council approves three year renewal of Master Facilities Use Agreement (the “contract”), continuing the $7.4 million per year in funding, with annual cost of living adjustments.

March 2009

Gleam Davis appointed to Santa Monica City Council; resigns voting position on CEPS Steering Committee.

February 2009

CEPS and SMMPTA Council co-sponsor and organize the third State of Our Schools events in Santa Monica and Malibu, in conjunction with Public Schools Week.

January 2009

Santa Monica City Council votes to release $529,000 to SMMUSD. 

July 2008

CEPS Steering Committee continues strategy sessions to advocate for release of $529,000 in funding from City of Santa Monica (portion of Master Facilities Use Agreement funds held back on condition of meeting Special Education improvement benchmarks).

Spring 2008

CEPS participates in collaborative strategy/problem-solving sessions on Special Education issues, alongside Special Ed DAC Chairs Ken Haker and Lee Jones, PTA Council President Rebecca Kennerly, Board Members Barry Snell and Kelly Pye, and Superintendent Talarico. 

October 2007-February 2008

CEPS Chair Shari Davis becomes Chair of the Yes on Measure R Campaign, and joining other parent leaders from throughout the District, CEPS Steering Committee devotes 100% of its efforts to the campaign.  Raising $275,000, producing 13 pieces of direct mail, and organizing massive volunteer voter outreach, Yes on R succeeds in garnering 73% of the vote, putting into place permanent funding of $11 million a year, plus annual cost of living adjustments, for SMMUSD.

November 2007

CEPS organizes and hosts with SMM PTA Council the second annual State of Our Schools forums in Santa Monica and Malibu. 

Summer 2007

CEPS leadership serves as core of ad hoc committee to analyze and recommend to the School Board that a renewal of two parcel taxes with impending expiration dates, be placed on the February 5, 2008 ballot.

January –June 2007

Focusing on terms of the Facilities Use Agreement between SMMUSD and City of Santa Monica, CEPS begins lobbying efforts to support increasing the annual amount of funding conveyed to the District from the City.  In June 2007, City Council agrees to increase the approximately $7 million by $529,000, based on the City’s increased revenues, conditioned upon certain provisions to improve delivery of services in the realm of Special Education, including imposing a moratorium on requiring parents to sign confidentiality clauses.

September – November  2006

CEPS cultivates questionnaires to solicit input from candidates for School Board, SM City Council and SM College Board; decides to endorse 8 candidates and rate 4 others;  Education Voter Guides sent to 19,000 voters twice regarding these candidate recommendations and supporting Measure BB; voice messages telephonically sent to voters endorsing Gleam Davis; ads placed in all local papers.

June 2006

CEPS endorses Gleam Davis for Santa Monica City Council.

May 2006

State of Our Schools event created and organized by CEPS, highlights achievements of Santa Monica High School and Malibu High School, with presentations in both communities.

November 2005

CEPS joins PTA in opposing one of Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed initiatives in California’s statewide special election.  Mail pieces created and sent to 20,000 voters.

May 2005

RAND holds Forum on California’s K-12 Funding, co-sponsored by CEPS.

April 27-28, 2005

Caravan for Kids comprises 8 press conferences at school sites in California’s major media markets, hundreds of students and parents boarding buses bound for Sacramento, and a 2,000-person rally for “Making California Schools Great Again” on the steps of the State Capitol.

January 2005

CEPS launches effort to advocate at the state level for greater funding for public schools, establishing partnership with California State PTA and creating two day event:  Caravan for Kids.

September 2004

CEPS hosts Candidates Forum to provide opportunity to have voters hear City Council and School Board candidates’ views on supporting education.  CEPS decides to endorse three School Board candidates and to rate City Council candidates in the November 2004 election.  CEPS runs one “voice blast,” and produces two mail pieces, created in partnership with SMMCTA, mailed to large targeted list of voters in the District.

CEPS also endorses and campaigns in support of Measure N, a 2% increase in the City of Santa Monica’s hotel visitors tax, with the understanding that it would “ease the burden” of increasing school funding via the Joint Facilities contract.

May 2004

Terms reached between Supt. Deasy and City Manager McCarthy, subsequently agreed to by CEPS, School Board and City Council, yielding $6 million per year via a Facilities Use Agreement.  CEPS commits to not turn in signatures that would trigger placement of the Charter Amendment on the ballot

January 2004

CEPS files proposed amendment to the Charter of the City of Santa Monica.

Between January and May, CEPS raises over $100,000 and gathers 15,000 signatures to qualify proposed charter amendment for the local ballot in the November 2004 municipal election.

Summer 2003

CEPS convenes meetings to discuss the drafting of an Amendment to the City Charter creating an annual contribution formula from City of SM to SMMUSD.  CEPS hires legal counsel and drafts measure, anticipating November 2004 election.

December 2002-June 2003

A series of efforts begins to solve the financial crisis facing SMMUSD; CEPS plays the role of having deep involvement in various aspects of these efforts:

• Ad Hoc Committee convenes to discuss options available to the Board – CEPS members serve in leadership roles on this committee.  Committee recommends Special Election and Board approves placement of Measure S, a $225 per parcel levy, on ballot.

• Pink Slip Parade – SMM PTA Council organizes major participatory event to bring public attention to the severe budget situation; thousands of parents, students and community members march several blocks and hold rally on the 3^rd Street Promenade.  CEPS participates in organizing, publicizing and logistics of Pink Slip Parade.

• Over 1,000 education supporters converge on City Hall for City Council’s January mid-year budget review meeting, promenading through Council Chambers and presenting scrolls of signatures to request City Council’s financial assistance during dire financial crisis caused by state budget woes.  Council Members comment that it is the most people ever to show up to a Council meeting on one issue.

• Measure S Campaign -- Campaign committee comprises broad group, including most of CEPS members.  INTENSIVE ORGANIZING EFFORT goes into the implementation of this campaign.  Measure S passes on June 3, 2003 with a 66.7% majority.

• June 10, 2003 Santa Monica City Budget Adoption meeting – PTA, SMMCTA, SEIU, CEPS sponsor boisterous rally with hundreds of parents, students, and other supporters, on lawn of City Hall (including Jackson Browne).  Council approves short term funds for District, but does not commit to long term funding.

During this period, CEPS officially becomes a political action committee and encourages parents and others supporting excellent public schools to become members.  Louise Jaffe and Shari Davis become co-chairs.

Fall 2002

CEPS members become fully committed to working to pass Measure EE.  Measure EE  fails, garnering 62% of the vote, but falling short of the required 66.7%.

Spring 2002

Financial impact of looming state budget cuts becomes apparent; SMMUSD decides to analyze the feasibility of an additional parcel tax election.  CEPS becomes a key backbone of the ad hoc committee and the subsequent Measure EE campaign committee.

2000-2002

Members continue to meet on regular basis. Each year prior to key points in the City of Santa Monica’s budget cycle, members lobby City Council members and prepare remarks for Council meetings:  January for mid-year budget review and priority sessions; May for budget priority setting; June for annual budget adoption.

CEPS starts considering the possibility of sponsoring a ballot measure to ensure a reliable, ongoing, long-term stream of funding from the City of Santa Monica.  Such a measure would require a simple 50% majority, versus a parcel tax measure, requiring a 66.7% majority.

Fall 2000

School Board places Measure Y on the ballot to renew the parcel tax at $98 per parcel. Members of the group that eventually becomes known as CEPS play key leadership roles in Measure Y campaign. Measure Y passes easily.

Early 1999 – The initial meetings of a concerned group of citizens convene.  The group eventually becomes CEPS.

www.excellentpublicschools.org