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:
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.
