tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14414591742748018242024-02-06T21:33:55.506-08:00COMMUNITY FOR EXCELLENT PUBLIC SCHOOLSBecome a member at www.excellentpublicschools.orgRebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-39798336838154784402012-05-30T15:22:00.000-07:002012-05-30T15:22:05.167-07:00City of Santa Monica - SMMUSD Joint Use Agreement Renewed<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">May twenty-second, 2012 may
have been one of the five or so most important days for Santa Monica-Malibu
schools in the last decade. It was the
day that the Santa Monica City Council voted 5-1 to support Agenda Item 8-B and
extend the <b><i><a href="http://www01.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2012/20120522/s2012052208-B.htm" target="_blank">Master Facilities Use Agreement and Related SupplementalAgreements with the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District </a></i></b>for a term of ten
years with a subsequent five-year extension.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The item took about thirty minutes from start to finish,
however the event that transpired in those fairly undramatic moments solidified
a decidedly dramatic sea change in the fabric of Santa Monica politics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Master Facilities Use Agreement, which provides
stable ongoing funding from the City of Santa Monica to SMMUSD schools in
exchange for community access to school recreational facilities in off hours,
was forged by conflict. In 2004 when the
Agreement was first established, the City and the schools were such separate
entities that a relationship any deeper than polite acquaintance was controversial. Yet today, the true interdependence between
the two is deeply felt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Of course, it is tragic that the State of
California has so underfunded its schools and undervalued its youth that it has
virtually knocked the State’s educational system to its knees. In decades past, both public education and
local municipalities were adequately funded and able to provide residents and
students with excellent services and preparation for the future. However, up and down this once-golden state,
funding for public education has been slashed, forcing our youth, and
ultimately our entire State to pay the consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Santa Monica, however, was not about to allow the
State’s ongoing crisis to decimate its proudly excellent public schools. The correlation between excellent public education
and a strong city was, in the minds of many leaders in our community,
undeniable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the summer of 2003,
Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) started discussing an Amendment
to the Charter of the City of Santa Monica, which would create an annual
contribution from the City of Santa Monica to the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
School District. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrlKlhwQ1Ypx2SEoRctj0FpOl0HvJhMlE4LZ_N7f_yfIGbFeQ4iRY6WfcXkUmH3nAwzOJ6J275DjyJ4MDTmXRJpECmcfil7ptrvBNOuKN00W9kmOGNegVuDNKLnUctS0iTj3tUNjVdbc/s1600/CEPSFiling1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrlKlhwQ1Ypx2SEoRctj0FpOl0HvJhMlE4LZ_N7f_yfIGbFeQ4iRY6WfcXkUmH3nAwzOJ6J275DjyJ4MDTmXRJpECmcfil7ptrvBNOuKN00W9kmOGNegVuDNKLnUctS0iTj3tUNjVdbc/s320/CEPSFiling1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CEPS co-chairs Shari Davis and Louise Jaffe with co-founder<br />Ralph Mecher file proposed Charter Amendment with<br />Santa Monica City Clerk Maria Stewart in January 2004</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In January of 2004, CEPS
filed the proposed amendment to the City Charter, and by May, CEPS had raised
over $100,000 and gathered 15,000 signatures to qualify its proposed charter
amendment for the November 2004 municipal election.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Later that month, then
SMMUSD Superintendent John Deasy and City Manager Susan McCarthy reached an 11<sup>th</sup>-hour
compromise agreement -- the Facilities Use Agreement. After much political wrangling, heated
debate, and raised tempers, all parties signed off on the agreement, including
CEPS, the SMMUSD Board of Education, the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs
and, of course, the Santa Monica City Council.
CEPS agreed that it would not turn in its signatures and the Charter
Amendment was not placed on the ballot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Flash forward eight years to
May 22, 2012. The relationship between the education community and City
leadership has developed into a strong and extremely productive
partnership. In its letter in support of
the Master Facilities Agreement renewal, CEPS co-chairs stated, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">CEPS is also extremely
grateful to the City Council for its willingness to create this compromise in
2004. Since that time, we have seen the relationship between the schools and
City leadership warm considerably into the proud partnership that exists today,
and this renewal of the agreement as proposed by City Manager Gould and his
staff is great proof that the partnership is mutually beneficial for both our
schools and City.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Education leaders have
joined forces with the City on a number of joint projects such as the “Buy
Local” program and the Youth Resource Team, as well as support for campaigns
that benefited the City, such as the TOT and UUT measures and, most recently,
the successful campaign for Propositions Y + YY.” </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So many leaders have
courageously stepped forward to support the partnership between the schools and
the City. CEPS feels strongly that both
the City of Santa Monica and its schools are strengthened by this strong and
enduring partnership. The skies on
Sacramento’s fiscal horizon continue to darken, threatening not only schools,
but municipalities, and services for everyone in need. Only by joining together locally, will we
weather these storms and succeed in protecting all residents and students from
what will almost certainly be ongoing and, even increased hardships coming from
Sacramento.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank you to the Santa
Monica City Council, City Manager Rod Gould, the Santa Monica-Malibu Board of
Education, Superintendent Sandra Lyon and an army of education, business and
community leaders for helping make this partnership a reality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-68847455231847576132012-04-12T14:52:00.000-07:002012-04-12T14:52:22.463-07:00Meet your Assembly Candidates THIS SATURDAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="p1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope you can attend the 50th Assembly District Candidates Forum which CEPS is co-sponsoring with Santa Monica College's Public Policy Institute, UCLA and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, on <b>Saturday, April 14th from 2 to 4 p.m</b>. on the Main Stage at the <b>Pico campus of SMC</b>.</span></div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November's election will be so important to each of us on a local, statewide and national level. Please learn as much as possible about the issues and candidates vying for your vote -- and vote smart!</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CEPS is proud to co-sponsor this event and plans on providing information with an education perspective to voters throughout this election season. We hope to see you on Saturday. It promises to be a great afternoon!</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yours in Excellent Public Schools,</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shari Davis & Rebecca Kennerly</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">co-chairs, Community for Excellent Public Schools</span></div><div class="p2"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/">www.excellentpublicschools.org</a></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju89yD8vyO7gmqEBONLhLvHodFzqzb_KFOEMvTglGwHUS3vl_raqRpJ3PZQ8yJ7Y507j6gDr4VG_QvMU_2wn16M9FgoiJB2F18KIZYeo9Ncjh5HrLk8xCnWEZdBYGHOYDsk9z4RDCfnaE/s1600/AD50CandidateForumInvitation4.14.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju89yD8vyO7gmqEBONLhLvHodFzqzb_KFOEMvTglGwHUS3vl_raqRpJ3PZQ8yJ7Y507j6gDr4VG_QvMU_2wn16M9FgoiJB2F18KIZYeo9Ncjh5HrLk8xCnWEZdBYGHOYDsk9z4RDCfnaE/s640/AD50CandidateForumInvitation4.14.12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-61241818982745906912012-02-02T12:42:00.000-08:002012-02-02T12:44:26.841-08:00STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS - from the SM Daily PressThe seventh annual State of Our Schools community report took place this Monday and Tuesday in Malibu and Santa Monica. Superintendent Lyon along with district school principals addressed a record number of community members and civic leaders providing a comprehensive look at our schools and their successes and challenges. In addition, Superintendent Lyon provided a full report on student achievement, programs, and the latest picture on school funding.<br />
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Check out this great article about State of our School from Ashley Archibald ad the Santa Monica Daily Press.<br />
<table class="lpsys" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><tbody>
<tr style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><td bgcolor="White" colspan="2" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><div style="background-color: white; width: 491px;"><div lpdivspac"="" style="padding-top: 15px;"><div class="lpdivspac" style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><tbody>
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<tr style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><td style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top" width="491px"><div><div class="lpcssliveaeacont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 5px;"><div style="clear: both;"></div><div><div class="lpseitemheader" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="sidedirectorybody" style="text-decoration: none;"></div></div></div></div></div></td></tr>
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<div class="lpseitemheader" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><table style="color: black; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; width: 454px;"><tbody>
<tr style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="bottom"><td colspan="2" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h1 class="title" style="color: #3d5257; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">State of Our Schools shows positives, negatives in district</h1></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="clear: both; font-size: 12px;"></div><div style="float: left; font-size: 12px; width: 227px;"><span class="author" style="color: #336666; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.smdp.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=Ashley%20Archibald" style="color: #336666; text-decoration: none;" title="click to see other articles by this author">By Ashley Archibald</a></span></div></div><div id="editorialbody" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="body" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, 'Trebuchet ms', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"></span><br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><tbody></tbody></table><br />
<div><span class="body" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, 'Trebuchet ms', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="editorialdate" style="color: #336666; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none;">February 02, 2012</span></span></div><span class="body" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, 'Trebuchet ms', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">VIRGINIA AVENUE PARK — School officials praised hard-working teachers, dedicated parents and a "unique" relationship with City Hall for the continued success of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District despite budgetary pressures from the state and other outside forces.<br />
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A record number of parents and community notables turned out for the third annual State of Our Schools event, which highlighted improvements in test scores and student preparedness alongside a general uncertainty about the district's financial future.<br />
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According to numbers provided by Superintendent Sandra Lyon, overall student achievement in the district continues to outpace the state average, with scores consistently on the rise since 2007.<br />
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The district also can boast far higher percentages of students passing the high school exit exams and Advanced Placement tests, which are exams given at the end of college-level courses offered in the local high schools.<br />
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Last year, 478 attended four-year universities, and 338 graduating seniors went onto two-year community colleges.<br />
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That success comes with the lowest revenue limits the district has seen since the 2005-06 school year, staff reductions, class size increases and promises of more on the way.<br />
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"We do more with less," Lyon said. "It's not hyperbole. It's fact."<br />
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California lags behind almost every other state in per-pupil spending. The state contributes $8,908 per student compared to the average $11,764 across the rest of the nation.<br />
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Devastating cuts from the state level resulting from brutal budgets and a down economy have slashed at core services, ending in growing class sizes and fewer programs.<br />
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Local funding sources shielded SMMUSD from the worst of the cuts weathered by other local districts.<br />
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Community for Excellent Public Schools, a local group of school advocates, rallied support for a number of successful funding efforts, including parcel taxes that raise $10.7 million annually and Proposition Y, a 2010 ballot measure which will raise at least $5.5 million for the district this year.<br />
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Overall, the district receives $32.7 million from local sources, or approximately 29 percent of its funding.<br />
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"The relationship between (City Hall) and the district is unheard of in other communities," Lyon said.<br />
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More cuts loom on the horizon if Gov. Jerry Brown fails to convince Californians to pass a sales tax increase and income tax hike for those making over $250,000 on the November ballot. The uncertainty makes it difficult, if not impossible, to adequately plan, Lyon said.<br />
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"We plan for the future and hope for the best, and everyone knows that hope is not a strategy," she said.<br />
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The district is looking at a $5 million deficit for the current year, rising to over $6 million in 2012-13.<br />
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If the tax doesn't pass in November, that jumps to $10.7 million.<br />
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The Board of Education and administration have made deep cuts at the district office to keep reductions as far from the classrooms as possible, said Board President Ben Allen.<br />
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More will be necessary to close the existing deficit, a hard thing to balance when over 80 percent of costs come from staff.<br />
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The district faces many challenges other than cash flow moving forward.<br />
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Although there's been improvement, the gap in test scores and achievement between students of color and their white and Asian counterparts remains vast.<br />
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Schools receiving Title 1 funds from the federal government have been pushed to the brink of "program improvement" requirements, which restrict local controls.<br />
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An acrimonious debate over a new fundraising model which aims to end parent-funding of school programs soured relations between residents in the city of Malibu and the district, and a movement to secede from the district was backed by the Malibu City Council.<br />
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County officials will provide an update on the progress of that petition at the beginning of March, said Jan Maez, the district's chief financial officer.<br />
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<a href="mailto:ashley@smdp.com" style="color: #336666;">ashley@smdp.com</a></span></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-40727770258799991722012-01-19T18:35:00.000-08:002012-01-19T18:35:20.811-08:00SAVE THE DATE! -- January 30 & 31 State of Our Schools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXudsaQPLulG2Wb04sx91s5_EeoOQBVWET2nCYl7BIQd_ZCHsh3ez0ONmZw4WhGDxCgVAzl-11o5v8rvtx7JctGKg-B0DFLFs31tnQgQNE34ivQCa2H9NkdbEoAm4MjqJLQfnhlB_Zr7k/s1600/SOOS2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXudsaQPLulG2Wb04sx91s5_EeoOQBVWET2nCYl7BIQd_ZCHsh3ez0ONmZw4WhGDxCgVAzl-11o5v8rvtx7JctGKg-B0DFLFs31tnQgQNE34ivQCa2H9NkdbEoAm4MjqJLQfnhlB_Zr7k/s640/SOOS2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="p1"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="p1"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="p1"><b>SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT</b></div><div class="p1"><b>PRESS RELEASE</b></div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p2"><b>CONTACT: Sarah Wahrenbrock FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></div><div class="p2"><b>310.450.8338, ext. 70229 19 JAN 2012</b></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><b>SEVENTH ANNUAL STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS EVENT</b></div><div class="p4"><b><i>SMMUSD Teams with PTA, CEPS, and Education Foundation to Present Informational Report</i></b></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">On January 30 and 31, SMMUSD will once again partner with the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS), and the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation for the Seventh Annual State of Our Schools, a community report on Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District student achievement, initiatives, and financial health.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">The State of Our Schools event will take place in Malibu on Monday, January 30 from 6:30-9:00 pm at City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road). On Tuesday, January 31 from 6:30-9:00pm, the State of Our Schools event will take place in the Thelma Terry Building at Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica (2200 Virginia Ave.)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">This year’s report will feature the very latest news and information in a comprehensive report from Superintendent Sandra Lyon about the ever-changing financial picture for SMMUSD in light of recent budget announcements from Sacramento. Ms. Lyon’s State of Our Schools presentation will also provide a report on student achievement and District initiatives to help students succeed.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">In addition, school Principals will report on innovative educational programs and initiatives that help students make successful transitions to their next grade level. At the Malibu event on January 30, all Malibu Principals will present; Phil Cott from Webster, Rebecca Johnson from Point Dume Marine Science, Barry Yates from Joan Cabrillo, and Mark Kelly from Malibu High School. At the Santa Monica event on January 31, Irene Gonzalez-Castillo from McKinley Elementary, Eva Mayoral from John Adams Middle School and Laurel Fretz from Santa Monica High School will make presentations. Ms. Judy Abdo will speak at both events about the SMMUSD preschool programs. Each event will also feature musical entertainment from student performers.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">These educational forums are free and open to all members of the public. Spanish translation is available and light refreshments will be served.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">“Please join us at one of the State of Our School events next week,” encouraged Sandra Lyon, SMMUSD Superintendent. “Our Santa Monica-Malibu schools pride themselves on excellence and accomplishment – but the District is facing significant challenges. As parents, community leaders, and concerned citizens, I hope you will take this opportunity to hear the very latest information about our schools; the challenges they face and some of the wonderful accomplishments our students make every day. I look forward to seeing you at one of these events.”</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">“The State of Our Schools event has proven to be a meaningful and important way for parents to learn more about our District,” says Kelly McMahon Pye, President of the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs. “This year’s program will be especially significant as Superintendent Lyon and members of her administrative team will discuss their plans for our District’s future.”</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2">“In light of the strong and special relationship between our schools and our cities”, says Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) co-chair Shari Davis, “we feel more committed than ever to help facilitate clear user-friendly communication. Our schools are very special places that impact families and residents across our cities. This annual report is a unique opportunity to hear the latest about the successes and challenges of our excellent public schools.”</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">####</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><b>SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT</b></div><div class="p1"><b>1651 16</b><span class="s1"><b><sup>TH</sup></b></span><b> Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404</b></div><div class="p1"><b>ph: 310.450.8338; fax: 310.581.1138</b></div><div class="p5"><span class="s2"><a href="http://www.smmusd.org/"><b>www.smmusd.org</b></a></span></div><div class="p6"><br />
</div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-64158555409381619012012-01-04T13:09:00.000-08:002012-01-04T13:27:37.148-08:00Best Wishes for a Happy New Year from Community for Excellent Public Schools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYEd06Pdo54vgUum4tuEYSdCVa8m8GZKCS1u5YbXUxrneNnEhoFuaMpANcijJnZu-zttWMDK08dtVHRy-dAf12-cpBvdQeDKpACTUGjjv-9PobA0cf1fUI21k28gIenZcW10WfF-bmDM/s1600/cepslogo4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYEd06Pdo54vgUum4tuEYSdCVa8m8GZKCS1u5YbXUxrneNnEhoFuaMpANcijJnZu-zttWMDK08dtVHRy-dAf12-cpBvdQeDKpACTUGjjv-9PobA0cf1fUI21k28gIenZcW10WfF-bmDM/s1600/cepslogo4.gif" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With 2011 finished and 2012 starting to wake up, Community for Excellent Public Schools looks ahead to another critical year for public schools advocacy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local and statewide education advocates took a wild roller coaster ride in 2011, facing the prospect of deep cuts and 11th hour reprieves to education funding on a regular basis. We saw headlines like <b><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_19656638" target="_blank">State faces midyear cuts, more budget strife ahead</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www.gazettes.com/news/education/schools-had-to-make-do-with-less/article_498239ce-319a-11e1-b1db-0019bb2963f4.html" target="_blank">Schools Had to Make Do With Less</a></b>. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to SMMUSD's excellent financial planning and critically needed local revenues, our local schools were able to weather State funding reductions this year and look poised to do the same in 2012 without significant cuts. However, the future could not be more uncertain for public education, both locally and statewide.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For that reason CEPS knows that the elections in November 2012 could be among the most important in recent memory. We have been working hard to put the structure in place to help inform voters about issues and candidates as they relate to public schools.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8JzS_CI483nRi1Px197c3dXcxEvaXXWFyGa8D55vtlxfWbyVruzQWmDTWnqKnyq5ExY-w2rhs-JKXzhqvAd_tyeeulCdnuY5LfiwSaW0CD11K7f6xw9RQnOcW0S3flUJ_8-Yw6ZQI3w/s1600/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8JzS_CI483nRi1Px197c3dXcxEvaXXWFyGa8D55vtlxfWbyVruzQWmDTWnqKnyq5ExY-w2rhs-JKXzhqvAd_tyeeulCdnuY5LfiwSaW0CD11K7f6xw9RQnOcW0S3flUJ_8-Yw6ZQI3w/s200/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early 2011 saw CEPS leadership providing input to Santa Monica City and Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District on the mechanics of implementing the recently passed City Propositions Y + YY. These propositions, passed by 61% and 68% of Santa Monica voters on November 2, 2010, implemented a .5% transaction and use tax within Santa Monica and then indicated voters’ desire that half of the new revenues generated by Proposition Y be directed to local SMMUSD schools. CEPS leadership had been very involved in the Yes on Y + YY campaign and were thrilled by its passage and subsequent implementation.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In June, CEPS welcomed back its former Chair Shari Davis as Co-chair. Shari had taken a temporary leave from CEPS leadership to serve a distinguished term as President of the Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs. CEPS was happy to loan Shari to PTA for a short time, and is even more pleased to welcome her back.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDljfd8uwDfTm-XCoqVzL4tfajP0PtOpNmZLPhEgFucEFMSelUqGN2FsSApMSSDLHQyeF2NU0emK2lQfnHyigr51pgpAUMG4H-qeML-FSYYAwxRk4R71IFfz3HxvQ0KMQa88l8dxofMP8/s1600/Save+the+Date-State+of+our+Schools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDljfd8uwDfTm-XCoqVzL4tfajP0PtOpNmZLPhEgFucEFMSelUqGN2FsSApMSSDLHQyeF2NU0emK2lQfnHyigr51pgpAUMG4H-qeML-FSYYAwxRk4R71IFfz3HxvQ0KMQa88l8dxofMP8/s200/Save+the+Date-State+of+our+Schools.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the school year started, CEPS partnered with SMMUSD’s new Superintendent Sandra Lyon and PTA to plan the 7<sup>th</sup> annual State of Our Schools event. This year, new sponsoring partner, the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation joined the planning team. The events will take place this month! January 30<sup>th</sup> in Malibu and January 31<sup>st</sup> in Santa Monica. <a href="http://www.smmusd.org/superintendent/pdf/SOOS2012.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for details.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM4KeOtT-rT-bFshymjpSxMEpctTRZyhoCLYkDzp9nd815B1F22x9InINrLc9f1to66bIQDBhb2uIWdg_wRAu-JIZ5Y3bcTLT5U2I713GMElhh6jBeREjfUm2I7zsNWkp-nWcR7WPY5w/s1600/DK110211_CEPS_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeM4KeOtT-rT-bFshymjpSxMEpctTRZyhoCLYkDzp9nd815B1F22x9InINrLc9f1to66bIQDBhb2uIWdg_wRAu-JIZ5Y3bcTLT5U2I713GMElhh6jBeREjfUm2I7zsNWkp-nWcR7WPY5w/s320/DK110211_CEPS_17.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CEPS Co-chair Shari Davis addresses Santa Monica advocates </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at the one-year birthday party for Propositions Y + YY</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In November, CEPS celebrated the one-year anniversary of the passage of Propositions Y + YY in a wonderful event hosted by the Santa Monica Miramar. The focus of this event was to celebrate and reinforce the importance of City-School partnerships, particularly as so many of the cultural and financial objectives of both institutions intersect.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CEPS has had a busy 2011 and expects an even busier 2012. We thank you for your for your support and involvement, and hopes to see more of you in 2012 as we work together to preserve and protect our excellent local public school.<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please visit us at <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/">www.excellentpublicschools.org</a> to become a member of CEPS and make a contribution to help keep Excellent Public Schools a priority in Santa Monica and Malibu.</span></div></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-3727361704387763722011-12-23T11:12:00.000-08:002011-12-23T11:13:27.214-08:00Happy Holidays for SMMUSD?<table class="lpsys" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><tbody>
<tr style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><td bgcolor="White" colspan="2" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top" width="100%"><div style="background-color: white; width: 491px;"><div lpdivspac"="" style="padding-top: 15px;"><div class="lpdivspac" style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Community for Excellent Public Schools </span><span style="font-size: small;">wishes all of our friends and members very happy holidays. </span></span></div><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> And thanks to California's December 15th budget announcement along with SMMUSD's careful fiscal management, this holiday season appears less dire than had been anticipated for our local public schools. (Take a look at Ashley Archibald's comprehensive article below.)</span></div><div class="lpdivspac" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><td style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top" width="491px"><div><div class="lpcssliveaeacont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; padding-top: 5px;"><div><div class="lpseitemheader" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 18px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="sidedirectorybody" style="text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="bottom"><td colspan="2" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h1 class="title" style="color: #3d5257; font-size: 24px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Schools tighten belts, but not too tight</h1><br />
<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #7db2bc; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Cuts to K-12 less severe than anticipated</h2></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="clear: both;"></div><div style="float: left; width: 227px;"><span class="author" style="color: #336666; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.smdp.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=ASHLEY%20ARCHIBALD" style="color: #336666; text-decoration: none;" title="click to see other articles by this author">By ASHLEY ARCHIBALD</a></span></div><div style="float: right;"><span class="author" style="color: #336666; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: none;"></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="lpdivspac" style="height: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"></div><div id="editorialbody"><span class="body" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, 'Trebuchet ms', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<div><span class="body" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, 'Trebuchet ms', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="editorialdate" style="color: #336666; font-family: 'Trebuchet ms', Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: normal; text-decoration: none;">December 16, 2011</span></span></div><span class="body" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, 'Trebuchet ms', sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">CITYWIDE — The scalpel of state budget cuts continues to slice away at school districts in Santa Monica, but prior planning will shield both K-12 and community college students from the worst, officials say.<br />
<br />
Gov. Jerry Brown announced in a press conference Tuesday that state coffers were short approximately $2.2 billion in anticipated revenues, triggering $102 million in cuts to the community college system and $79.6 million to primary and secondary education.<br />
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"That's where we are today," Brown said. "Cuts to university, in home supportive services, schools and prosecution are not good. This is not the way we'd like to run California. But we have to live within our means."<br />
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The cuts were built into the budget, and would only be "triggered" if approximately $4 billion in hoped-for revenue failed to appear.<br />
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The triggers came in two tiers — higher education and other social services would be cut first, and, if less than half of the expected money came in, K-12 education would feel the knife.<br />
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While higher education will feel the full brunt of the loss, K-12 will only lose $79.6 million of the $1.5 billion it faced, said Ana Matosantos, director of the state department of finance.<br />
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The cut could equate to half of the transportation budget and approximately $13 dollars per student in state funding, said Jan Maez, the chief financial officer of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.<br />
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That's fabulous, considering that it could have been 20 times that amount if the state hadn't realized any of its projected revenue.<br />
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"Months ago, we heard it would be $181, and we thought that was good news," Maez said. "This is even better news."<br />
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The district set aside money to cover potential losses in January, so students will not see any change in services this year, Maez said.<br />
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Subsequent years, however, remain a mystery.<br />
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Unlike K-12 education, the state college and community college systems and other social welfare programs were promised a $601 million reduction if the state fell short by $2 billion.<br />
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Santa Monica College officials put aside $1.24 million from its $12.6 million reserves to help weather the cuts, said spokesman Bruce Smith.<br />
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"We have a strong reserve, and thank goodness because with all of the cuts year after year after year, it's been difficult," Smith said.<br />
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The newest round of reductions brings cuts in the 2011-12 school year to $502 million for the community college system alone, said Paige Marlatt Dorr, spokesperson for the California Community College Chancellor's Office.<br />
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In an attempt to offset some of those losses, state officials imposed a $10 increase per unit on community college students earlier in the year. The newest triggers will mean another $10 increase, raising the per unit cost from $26 to $46.<br />
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"That's a 77 percent increase in fees in less than a year," Marlatt Dorr said. "We serve some of the most vulnerable and needy students in the state. We are still the lowest, but for many of our students who are working two jobs, they're barely making it paycheck to paycheck."<br />
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The new revenue won't appear until fall 2012, however, and some community colleges will still have to cut class offerings and, in some cases, personnel.<br />
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That's not the situation at SMC because of careful money management and a higher population of out-of-state and international students that pay higher fees than California students, Smith said.<br />
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"We have actually hired some new tenure track faculty," Smith said. "At the same time, don't get me wrong, this isn't good news."<br />
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And the bad news could keep coming.<br />
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In his speech, Brown promised another round of cuts if Californians vote down a tax measure meant to raise $7 billion, which will appear on the November 2012 ballot.<br />
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"Trigger cuts are a process of fiscal discipline. Going forward, we'll have an opportunity in November to vote in the revenue, almost $7 billion, or not," Brown said. "If they do, taxes will be extended for the next few years. If they don't, we'll see even bigger cuts."</span></div></div></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-43204613865306344972011-12-12T18:05:00.000-08:002011-12-12T18:05:46.943-08:00STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS! Save the Date<div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KBXN1SxTCUn6dZahqaG238jYxpIHwCaTaNsW0PLY_QFdPBkh9dl1mku8yRD3LF5GIikMguZ3smUDc02sgiBni6Zk51B1NkJez4xOrtPzYlTn8BewBHvjN-3_ipxE48bmuKT3C6-jMsI/s1600/Save+the+Date-State+of+our+Schools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KBXN1SxTCUn6dZahqaG238jYxpIHwCaTaNsW0PLY_QFdPBkh9dl1mku8yRD3LF5GIikMguZ3smUDc02sgiBni6Zk51B1NkJez4xOrtPzYlTn8BewBHvjN-3_ipxE48bmuKT3C6-jMsI/s640/Save+the+Date-State+of+our+Schools.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
</div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-68281709605966086442011-12-04T17:23:00.000-08:002011-12-04T17:23:46.362-08:00Shortening the School Year -- What, Again!?<div class="p1">At the very time when we should be looking to increase learning opportunities for our children, some in Sacramento are talking about the possibility of<a href="http://www.edsource.org/extra/2011/budget-shortfall-heightens-threat-of-shorter-school-year/3262?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdsourceExtra+%28EdSource+Extra%21+-+Edposts%29" target="_blank"> <span class="s1">shortening</span></a> the school year. With our schools squarely in the crosshairs of potential further cuts to state-funded programs, cutting the number of schools days – always a big revenue saver for the state – is being seen as way to help fill a possible budget shortfall. While the politics around the proposal are not yet clear, Governor Brown signed legislation earlier this year that gave districts the option of shortening their school year to 168 days, should tax revenues fall short of the hoped-for level of $2 billion.</div><div class="p1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjVkazacpX48HXYn7N2UArjbJOLV0uALqzDXWS7eOLfPu-tYTgyQ8Du7UEOyjwN9kUlQzQyiryYjDXQAvwAF_1kr6mf9XVV3uvZ46TqWW1QghNXNbLTPdcRNCj6jFAyx0XiiXTiDKkTQ/s1600/DK122107_SaMoHi_011ppt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjVkazacpX48HXYn7N2UArjbJOLV0uALqzDXWS7eOLfPu-tYTgyQ8Du7UEOyjwN9kUlQzQyiryYjDXQAvwAF_1kr6mf9XVV3uvZ46TqWW1QghNXNbLTPdcRNCj6jFAyx0XiiXTiDKkTQ/s200/DK122107_SaMoHi_011ppt.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="p1">It would make our state 48<span class="s2"><sup>th</sup></span> out of the 50 states when it comes to the number of days children are given the chance to be in school, and it would put us even further behind the nations we’re trying to compete with globally, some of which have instructional calendars of 220 days.</div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p1">Some districts in the state have already shortened their school year to the state minimum of 175 days. To them, it’s hardly a choice at all, given the fiscal realities they confront. And, if cutting school days is a choice that’s not really a choice, what’s emerging as the real decision in strapped districts is whether to choose quantity or quality. </div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p1">"As terrible as it might be, I would advocate for a shorter year with a quality school program rather than a longer year and a decimated program…" one district superintendent <span class="s3"><a href="http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/05/04/1877210/california-weighs-shorter-school.html#ixzz1eMeo5glZ" target="_blank">said</a></span> in Sacramento recently.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p3">Just this 2011 - 2012 school year, our local schools were able to restore five days to the district calendar that had been cut in each of the previous two years in response to severe State budget cuts. Local educators and parents were thrilled to be able to return to a full 180 day school year. However, shortly after school started in September, new discussions commenced that could result in additional days cut from future school calendars.</div><div class="p1"><br />
</div><div class="p1">If education were truly the priority that it should be, this either-or situation would be recognized for what it is: forcing school districts into a false choice between giving children the time they need in school on one hand and affording them high-quality programs on the other. Our children need and deserve both.</div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-21858508043700174142011-11-30T17:44:00.000-08:002011-11-30T17:44:04.588-08:00California State PTA supports this important school funding initiative<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.capta.org/"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="114" src="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6485/images/Publication%20Logos/CAPTA-website.jpeg" width="176" /></a></td><td align="right" style="text-align: right;" valign="bottom" width="50%"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Legislative Alert</span></span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
November 30, 2011</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #000066;">..</span><i><span style="color: #000066;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">PTA-supported school funding<br />
initiative launches</span></span></b></span></i><span style="color: #000066;">..</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="1"><tbody>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>To view a press release announcing today’s filing of the initiative, </b></span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.capta.org/assets/managed/whatsnew-pdf/Initiative%20Rollout%20Press%20Release%20FINAL%2011%2030.pdf" target="_blank"></a><i><a href="http://www.capta.org/assets/managed/whatsnew-pdf/Initiative%20Rollout%20Press%20Release%20FINAL%2011%2030.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>click here</b></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>.</b></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Today in Sacramento, <b>The Our Children, Our Future: Local Schools and Early Education Investment Act</b> was submitted to the Attorney General for title and summary for the November 6, 2012 ballot. <br />
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California State PTA supports this bold initiative, which will provide approximately $1,300 per student in new funds each year that must be spent directly at school sites with local parent and educator input.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In particular, the funding must be used by schools to provide a well-rounded education that supports college and career readiness for every student, including a high-quality curriculum that includes the arts; music; physical education; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); and vocational and technical education courses.</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">It can also be used for smaller class sizes, school libraries and librarians, school nurses and counselors.<br />
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“The Our Children, Our Future Act focuses, first and foremost, on restoring essential education programs that have been cut,” said California State PTA President Carol Kocivar. “We have heard, loud and clear, from you, our members, that school budgets have been cut too deeply. We’re calling on everyone who cares about the future of our children and our state to get behind this vital measure.”<br />
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The initiative will raise approximately $10 billion a year in new revenue through a sliding scale income tax increase that varies with taxpayers’ ability to pay, with the highest income earners contributing the most. Of the money raised, 85 percent will be allocated on a per-pupil basis to all local public schools, including charter schools, and 15 percent will be used to raise standards and expand access to public preschool and early childhood programs to help prepare children to succeed when they reach kindergarten. The Governor and the Legislature are prohibited from using the money or directing how it may be spent.<br />
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Several other ballot measure ideas are floating around for consideration in 2012, but PTA strongly supports The Our Children, Our Future Act because it will generate the substantial amount of new revenues that our students and schools desperately need. It also proposes important reforms that ensure transparency and accountability, as well as greater parent engagement, by ensuring parents at each school have a real say in how the funds will be spent. The initiative also focuses on closing the achievement gap by providing additional per-student resources to support low-income children and English language learners, and greater access to early childhood education and preschool programs, which are proven to increase school readiness and help to close the gap.<br />
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The Our Children, Our Future: Local Schools and Early Education Investment Act is sponsored by the Advancement Project, a national civil rights organization. It has the financial support of Molly Munger, founding co-director of the Advancement Project and a former federal prosecutor and business litigator who left her corporate life to become one of the state’s most passionate and effective advocates for communities and schools in need.<br />
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California State PTA had a role in crafting the final ballot measure language, and we plan to actively engage in the broad, grass-roots effort to qualify and pass this measure.<br />
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In the coming weeks we will continue providing information about this important initiative and how you can get involved to help. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">More information, including the full text of the initiative, can be found at:</span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.ourchildrenourfuture2012.com/" target="_blank"><b>www.OurChildrenOurFuture2012.com</b></a><b>.<br />
<br />
To view a press release announcing today’s filing of the initiative, </b><a href="http://www.capta.org/assets/managed/whatsnew-pdf/Initiative%20Rollout%20Press%20Release%20FINAL%2011%2030.pdf" target="_blank"><b>click here</b></a><b>.</b></span><br />
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</tbody></table>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-6016553444346005732011-11-29T06:19:00.000-08:002011-11-29T11:48:25.557-08:00SMMUSD Districtwide Fundraising vote tonightSanta Monica Malibu Unified School District has been grappling with the issue of equitable private fundraising for local schools for years, and will likely continue to grapple with it for some time to come. The issue of Districtwide Fundraising, the process of centralizing contributions to pay for specific services, in SMMUSD's case personnel and programs, comes to a head tonight at a special Board of Education meeting at 6pm, which has been moved to the auditorium at Lincoln Middle School, 1501 California Avenue. Superintendent Sandra Lyon stated in a notification about the meeting sent out last week to parents and community members, <i>"Please note that the meeting will be held at Lincoln Middle School, which is a larger venue than the district office, to accommodate members of the public who wish to observe and/or make public comments during the meeting"</i>.<br />
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The issue has attracted a lot of attention. This Sunday it was featured in a Los Angeles Times editorial titled <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinionla/la-ed-donate-20111127,0,2138658.story" target="_blank">Public Schools, Private Donations</a>. The Santa Monica Daily Press has provided thoughtful coverage, include <a href="http://www.smdp.com/Articles-local-news-c-2011-11-28-73023.113116-Ed-board-to-vote-on-controversial-fundraising-plan.html" target="_blank">this recent article</a>. Frank Gruber offers his <a href="http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/columns/FrankGruber/FG_2011/11_2011/11_28_2011_WHAT_I_SAY_Spreading_it_Around.html" target="_blank">opinion</a> in the Lookout News. And the story even went national, going a little viral after first hitting <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2011/11/10/school_funding_equality_what_happens_when_well_off_parents_won_t_share_.html" target="_blank">Slate Magazine </a>earlier this month.<br />
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On November 7th, Community for Excellent Public Schools' Steering Committee unanimously approved the following statement, "<i>Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) supports the proposed revision of SMMUSD Board Policy 3290 concerning Acceptance of Gifts, with the <span class="s1">added</span> recommendation <span class="s1">that</span> <span class="s1">the policy also include</span> a well-defined Memorandum of Understanding between SMMUSD and the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation to address governance, accountability and transparency.</i><br />
<div class="p2"><i>The CEPS Steering Committee discussed this issue thoroughly and voted unanimously to approve this position."</i></div><div class="p2"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="p2">CEPS encourages anyone with an interest in our local schools to learn more about this issue, and to participate in the process. Make your voice heard at tonight's board meeting. You can see the <a href="http://www.smmusd.org/brd1112/DistrictwideFundraising2.pdf" target="_blank">Superintendent's presentation on Districtwide Fundraising</a> or view the proposed policy on the <a href="http://www.smmusd.org/" target="_blank">district website</a>. </div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-53778914465348401972011-11-07T15:28:00.000-08:002011-11-07T15:28:02.461-08:00A Decade of Community for Excellent Public Schools Advocacy<iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q8Mrsvduu5w?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-85112659213477512422011-10-31T15:51:00.000-07:002011-10-31T15:51:33.794-07:00Celebrate a Year of Advocacy and Partnership<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql-UOCiHXKUeyRIrs4bsmANmaQ_TCqGbQghY-htlpCG50rleeCsY3F5cppyfVZRs1Zfp-xlbJJ1xaXxPj4eLtCWZQ73oAXR7CdMDbvAeTfnnnPut-YNYA0MA1J6_yQvb7nTjaX4bofn0/s1600/CEPS_YYYNov2Event.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql-UOCiHXKUeyRIrs4bsmANmaQ_TCqGbQghY-htlpCG50rleeCsY3F5cppyfVZRs1Zfp-xlbJJ1xaXxPj4eLtCWZQ73oAXR7CdMDbvAeTfnnnPut-YNYA0MA1J6_yQvb7nTjaX4bofn0/s640/CEPS_YYYNov2Event.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-41409499930684963992011-10-31T15:41:00.000-07:002011-10-31T15:41:25.825-07:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y + YY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A Decade of Advocacy and Bold Partnerships Help Strengthen City and Schools</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8JzS_CI483nRi1Px197c3dXcxEvaXXWFyGa8D55vtlxfWbyVruzQWmDTWnqKnyq5ExY-w2rhs-JKXzhqvAd_tyeeulCdnuY5LfiwSaW0CD11K7f6xw9RQnOcW0S3flUJ_8-Yw6ZQI3w/s1600/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8JzS_CI483nRi1Px197c3dXcxEvaXXWFyGa8D55vtlxfWbyVruzQWmDTWnqKnyq5ExY-w2rhs-JKXzhqvAd_tyeeulCdnuY5LfiwSaW0CD11K7f6xw9RQnOcW0S3flUJ_8-Yw6ZQI3w/s200/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">November 2, 2011 marks the one-year anniversary of the passage of the groundbreaking Santa Monica Propositions Y + YY. It also provides the opportunity to recognize and honor the unique partnership that these measures represent between the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District and the City of Santa Monica.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9enuz9o15kTSVHsRmG0emxMQsFoPPkxaIPBVnzrY2Vha2-RyO099Xwg8cQUvWoQNNNkGzP6bK6qkjpi83h-uWtxTBruESt0iByhwnFxjpTAnJ44qQZTglggJKtDilW1Um87J4JhyF9c/s1600/cepslogo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9enuz9o15kTSVHsRmG0emxMQsFoPPkxaIPBVnzrY2Vha2-RyO099Xwg8cQUvWoQNNNkGzP6bK6qkjpi83h-uWtxTBruESt0iByhwnFxjpTAnJ44qQZTglggJKtDilW1Um87J4JhyF9c/s1600/cepslogo4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS), a Santa Monica-based, all-volunteer, grass-roots political action committee, has advocated for local funding for local public schools for over a decade. Since the beginning, CEPS has bridged political divides, bringing together advocates from divergent groups and philosophies, all committed to protecting local public schools.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In California, public schools rely on the State for most of their funding, yet for the past decade, Sacramento has been the source of deep and relentless cuts, both to our local public schools and to schools up and down the state. In addition, early childhood education, community and Cal State colleges, and even our incredible UC system have all sustained devastating cuts. Public education’s outlook in our once-Golden State is dire.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nearly a decade ago, CEPS argued that strong local public schools provide tangible and demonstrable financial benefits to their cities and that inadequate funding from the State was not acceptable. We called for “long-term, predictable, ongoing support from the City of Santa Monica for its local public schools”. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In 2003, CEPS proposed a measure to amend the Charter of the City of Santa Monica to provide ongoing direct contributions from the City to SMMUSD schools. After CEPS collected the 15,000 signatures to qualify that measure for the ballot, the City and SMMUSD crafted a direct Master Facilities Use Agreement, which is still in effect and requires renewal in early 2012. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Taking CEPS’s advocacy to a statewide level, in 2005, CEPS strategically partnered with California’s State PTA to organize “Caravan for Kids”, comprising rallies and press conferences across the state, and culminating in a large rally on the Capitol steps in Sacramento.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Education funding crises have pummeled public schools continually for the past decade but time and again our community pulled together to respond. CEPS and many community groups joined forces to work on multiple measures to provide local funding directly to classrooms. A coalition of committed volunteers from multiple groups, including CEPS, PTAs, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, the Chamber of Commerce, teachers, school staff, administrators, City leaders and many more worked extraordinarily hard on the campaigns. Voters, most of whom did not have school-aged children, demonstrated their commitment to strong public schools by passing these measures and voting to tax themselves to fill funding gaps caused by State cuts. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In 2010, in the middle of one of the worst recessions in recent history, the City of Santa Monica’s City Manager, Rod Gould, proposed a new municipal tax, to shore up funding for local services and public schools. The City Council voted to put it on the ballot, along with a companion advisory measure to describe the sharing of the funds. A diverse coalition, drawing on the strength of the education community, again coalesced to successfully campaign for the two unique ballot measures. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">CEPS is deeply appreciative of Mr. Gould’s and the City Council’s commitment to the importance of partnership between the City and the Schools. We believe that these two unprecedented municipal policies, Y and YY, were the right message for the right community at the right time, and that a decade of advocacy to help protect strong public schools contributed to the success of these propositions.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the one-year anniversary of these groundbreaking measures and partnership, we pause to look back and reflect on how far we have come as a community and say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who worked so hard to make these accomplishments possible. And because so much work is left to do, CEPS is also driven to look forward.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As cuts continue to come from Sacramento, CEPS will continue its #1 job; advocating to preserve and protect the quality of our local public schools. In addition, we will continue to advocate in local and state elections to help elect representatives who are aware of and ready to take on the challenges to ensure high quality public education. And CEPS will become more involved at the State level, since, after all, Sacramento is the place where funding and policy decisions live and die.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Moreover, on this anniversary celebrating the passage of Y and YY, CEPS is excited by the myriad opportunities developing in the wake of the strengthening partnership between our community and our schools. Santa Monica’s Buy Local campaign is building a strong working relationship between our education and business communities, and the emerging work of the Santa Monica Youth Resource Team brings schools and the community together to provide a continuum of services, outreach, and opportunities to children throughout our community, from cradle to career. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At its core, education advocacy – for CEPS, for our community leaders, and for every individual – boils down to providing each child the very best opportunity possible to learn. We are so proud and grateful that our great community is committed to the education of all of its children. Through true partnership, we all grow stronger. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Happy Birthday Y + YY. Many happy returns of the day!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yours for Excellent Public Schools,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shari Davis & Rebecca Kennerly<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Co-chairs, Community for Excellent Public Schools<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">On behalf of the CEPS Steering Committee<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">learn more or contribute at <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/">www.excellentpublicschools.org</a></div><!--EndFragment-->Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-82001138715681775512011-09-09T08:31:00.000-07:002011-09-09T08:31:45.739-07:00The Start of a New School Year – and Other New Beginnings<div class="MsoNormal">For as long as anyone at CEPS can remember, September has meant the beginning of a new school year with its fresh faces and hopes for the future. The beginning of this school year brought with it many firsts. No only did we welcome Superintendent <a href="http://www.smmusd.org/superintendent/index.html">Sandy Lyon</a> to Santa Monica-Malibu and <a href="http://www.smmirror.com/?ajax#mode=single&view=32472">Laurel Fretz </a>as Principal of Santa Monica High School, but we also saw the first <u>August</u> start to a school year – possibly ever.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The start of this 2011 – 2012 school also brings with it another notable milestone, the beginning of <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/">Community for Excellent Public Schools</a> second decade. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcPKmCw5eSvca-BDm8BGj71Vf6FQdG0ff_rFvAW9YYcDur5rj6pAdO4yqktgfDmUFOGNVNPIdjbgZJ5S7nzAJV9_-cOSzNhh0tSmvqoGNY2srCW5e7dRnHpJOhe5iOrW7Ob1ZayiUCAM/s1600/DK042805_PTAsacto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcPKmCw5eSvca-BDm8BGj71Vf6FQdG0ff_rFvAW9YYcDur5rj6pAdO4yqktgfDmUFOGNVNPIdjbgZJ5S7nzAJV9_-cOSzNhh0tSmvqoGNY2srCW5e7dRnHpJOhe5iOrW7Ob1ZayiUCAM/s320/DK042805_PTAsacto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CEPS helped organize Caravan for Kids, a statewide rally<br />
protesting State budget cuts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Big birthdays are times for more than celebration. They are times for reflection, assessment and priority-setting. CEPS is proud of its accomplishments, which can be appreciated in detail <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/history.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
CEPS was founded a decade ago in response to what was assumed to be a temporary funding shortfall caused by State budget cuts. Little did we know that those early cuts were simply the opening volley in what would become an unending siege against public education in the State of California. CEPS had hoped and assumed over the years that with just one more effort to plug the dike, the crisis in our local public schools would be stabilized. Yet, after each miraculous victory, the State came back with bigger and more painful cuts. The result, however, of CEPS effort has been significant help in preserving and protecting Santa Monica-Malibu schools, which <a href="http://www.smmusd.org/press/press1112/API-AYPResults.htm">consistently perform better than state and country schools</a>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, after ten years of effort, CEPS has taken time this past summer to assess and look forward. At the end of July CEPS published a survey asking the community its views about CEPS work, as well as to share their own priorities about public education issues. On August 17<sup>th</sup>, the CEPS Steering Committee met with its members and community leaders to discuss preliminary findings of this survey and to discuss areas of focus for CEPS to prioritize in the future.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This effort will continue into the fall when we hope to announce our findings at a community event on November 2<sup>nd</sup>. This event will celebrate the one year anniversary of the passage of Santa Monica Propositions Y + YY, and the powerful partnership between our SMMUSD cities and schools. Look for event details coming soon. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/9257/205027055/4ad8308cb6/">PLEASE TAKE CEPS SURVEY TODAY</a></b><br />
There is something you can do now to help CEPS look forward. Please take a moment, if you haven’t done so already, to fill out the <a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/9257/205027055/4ad8308cb6/">CEPS survey</a>. Your views and opinions are important to us and will help us advocate more effectively to help protect the integrity of public education. And please send this survey to your friends and ask them to help us plan for the future.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, if you would like to do more, we would love for you to <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/contribute.html">join us as a member</a>. In this difficult political climate, financial contributions provide critical resources that will allow us to contact and educate voters.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We look forward to hearing from you!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">CEPS Co-chairs<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Shari Davis & Rebecca Kennerly<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:info@excellentpublicschools.org">info@excellentpublicschools.org</a><o:p></o:p></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-2822686013869323412011-08-09T06:44:00.000-07:002011-08-09T06:44:30.448-07:00CEPS In the News<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'lucida grande', tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/9257/205027055/4ad8308cb6/" style="color: #9e5205;">Please share your thoughts about public education in the CEPS Survey</a></span></strong></em></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'lucida grande', tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'lucida grande', tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><img src="http://cdn.smmirror.com/media/550/131257290673937.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></span><br />
<div class="cutline" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #eeeeee; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;"><div style="font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: right; text-transform: uppercase;">PHOTOS BY DAVID HUME KENNERLY, COURTESY OF CEPS</div>From the statewide event, "Caravan for Kids" in 2005. Created by then-CEPS Executive Board members Rochelle Fanali and Denny Zane and organized by CEPS Steering Committee members, the two-day rally was organized by CEP in partnership with California State PTA, to provide training and facilitation for parent and student groups throughout California.</div><h1 style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">NEWS</a>, <a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">SANTA MONICA</a>, <a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">SCHOOL</a>, <a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">EDUCATION</a>, <a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">SANTA MONICA-MALIBU SCHOOL DISTRICT (SMMUSD)</a></h1><h2 style="font-family: 'Segoe UI Light', 'Segoe UI', 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, 'lucida grande', tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 42px; line-height: 42px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Local School Advocates Celebrate Years of Work</h2><h1 style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">POSTED AUG. 8, 2011, 7:37:00 AM</h1><h4 style="color: #999999; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">HANNAH HEINEMAN / MIRROR CONTRIBUTOR</h4><a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://cdn.smmirror.com/images/3rd_party/facebook.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a><a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://cdn.smmirror.com/images/3rd_party/twitter.png" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a><a href="" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: initial; color: #aa3333; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://cdn.smmirror.com/images/3rd_party/print1.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">The Community For Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) has become a key player in K-12 public education in both Santa Monica and Malibu.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Although the roots for the organization were laid in early 1999, the group started meeting regularly in 2001 to discuss and strategize about assisting the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District with communication and seeking revenue sources. CEPS officially became a non-profit volunteer political action committee in 2003 when its members helped the school district solve the financial crisis it was facing at that time.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Some of their goals include promoting a shared community vision for excellence in local public schools, evaluating and pursuing a range of short- and long-term funding measures through state, City, and school district policies and elections, identifying and supporting issues that would support education and public schools, and promoting accountability for high quality public education by public institutions and public officials.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">“CEPS has been able to cultivate a culture in our community that makes education a priority in the whole community,” noted Shari Davis, CEPS co-chair. “We are so proud that we have been able to advocate successfully for funding for our school district that now totals $24 million per year from local sources.”</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Some of these local sources are a parcel tax with a cost of living adjustment and the Master Facilities Use Agreement between the school district and the city of Santa Monica that began in the 2004 – 2005 academic year. Most recently, CEPS helped with the campaign for Propositions Y and YY that were approved by voters in November 2010. Proposition Y was a half cent City of Santa Monica transaction and use tax and Proposition YY was a companion measure that advises that half the funds generated by Proposition Y can be given to the school district. The school board approved the terms of the agreement in June 2011.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">“The proposal of putting Y and YY on the ballot shows how far we’ve come,” Davis pointed out.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Another milestone, according to Davis, was the CEPS participation in the 2005 Caravan for Kids, which included eight press conferences in California’s major media markets and a 2,000-person rally for “Making California Great Again” on the steps of the State Capitol.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">“The Caravan for Kids was a real moment for us to do statewide advocacy and partner with the California State PTA,” explained Davis.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Yet another achievement for CEPS was the initiation of the State of Our Schools event in 2006, which was created and organized by CEPS to highlight the achievements of both Santa Monica High School and Malibu High School with presentations in both cities.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px;">In honor of its 10-year anniversary, CEPS is asking community leaders, education advocates, and residents in Santa Monica and Malibu to express their thoughts and concerns about public education through a survey posted on their blog at excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com</div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/9257/205027055/4ad8308cb6/" style="color: #9e5205;">Please share your thoughts about public education in the CEPS Survey</a></span></strong></em></span>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-87557791168719598272011-07-10T16:06:00.000-07:002011-07-27T15:31:21.495-07:00Take the CEPS Survey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: white;"></div><div style="background-color: white;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px;"></span></i></b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="margin-bottom: auto; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top"><div align="left" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: yellow; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/9257/205027055/4ad8308cb6/">Please share your thoughts about public education in the CEPS Survey</a></span></strong></em></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dear Public Education Supporter,</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At the end of this very tumultuous school year, <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/" rel="Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) " style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="CEPS">Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS)</a> would like to thank you for working with us to keep the protection of public education a top community priority. In addition, we would like to share some important news with you.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">California’s historic on-time State Budget passage in June left the future of public education funding filled with uncertainty. With deep cuts to early childhood and post-secondary education, this budget funded K-12 public schools at the same level as the 2010 – 2011 school year, but ONLY IF $4 billion of revenue increases materialize. If not, pre-set “triggers” will be activated, potentially prompting mid-year cuts to public education of up to $1.9 billion statewide, leaving SMMUSD with about $3,600,000 less in State funding for 2011-2012. As a result, SMMUSD would be forced to dig deeply into its reserves, leaving the outlook for the 2012-13 school year bleak once more.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As we look back over the last year and beyond, we realize how far we’ve come since our inception over a decade ago. Education advocates have worked hard to inform voters about our excellent public schools and to help shine a light on the critical inadequacy of State funding for education.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A SAMPLING OF CEPS' EFFORTS:</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In partnership with a broad coalition of community members, CEPS helped pass City of Santa Monica Propositions Y + YY in November 2010, and actively monitored the process by which the City of Santa Monica worked with SMMUSD to craft the new joint use agreement that provides the transfer of revenues to the School District. CEPS Steering Committee Members Shari Davis and Tom Larmore co-chaired the Yes on Y + YY campaign committee, with many more CEPS members working on the committee to pass the measure.</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Result: $5.7 million per year will be generated for our local schools ($1 million already designated for 2010-11 school year)</strong></span></em></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #190904; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CEPS h</span></em><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #190904; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">elped pass Measure R in February 2008.</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #190904; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Result: $11 million per year generated for our local schools, with senior homeowners exempted</strong></span></em></div><ul style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 40px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></ul><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #190904; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CEPS has worked with civic leaders to reinforce the value of maintaining high quality schools and to build toward renewal of the Master Facilities Use Agreement initiated by CEPS in 2004.</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #190904; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Result: $8 million per year generated with</strong></span></em></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #190904; font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">renewal expected in 2012.</strong></span></em></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In addition, this school year, CEPS actively participated in the 2010 candidate elections, holding candidate forums and community outreach efforts that informed voters about candidates’ views and record on education issues. CEPS also partnered with SMMUSD to inform the public about the District’s accomplishments and challenges in the fourth annual “State of Our Schools” Event.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We are proud to announce the return of Shari Davis as Co-Chair of CEPS. She returns to lead CEPS after an extremely successful and productive two-year term as President of Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs.</div></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With the State of California stuck in a daunting and seemingly endless budget crisis, there is no question that education funding is at risk and will remain so for the foreseeable future. </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The only true certainty in California’s very unstable public education picture is that <span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">our advocacy is needed now more than ever</span>. CEPS is committed to continuing our work at the local and state levels. </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To help us focus our advocacy on issues that matter most to you, please take a moment to let us know your thoughts! <a href="https://app.e2ma.net/app2/survey/9257/205027055/4ad8308cb6/" rel="Please take our CEPS Survey." style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="CEPS Survey">PLEASE COMPLETE THIS BRIEF SURVEY.</a> It will take five minutes or less and will give us important feedback that will help us set our priorities for the coming year.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, if you haven’t already done so, please <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=0cW4Tf6tvieoHBB2hj_T5K2SF7z8QQJ3XxrdFhwXN8wpV3DcAO7LvNUSpti&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8deaa77efc63a6eb429928d42bdf5d9d2c" rel="renew your membership and consider making an additional financial contribution to CEPS" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Donate to CEPS">renew your membership and consider making an additional financial contribution to CEPS</a>. Your support makes it possible for Community for Excellent Public Schools to continue its critical advocacy in support of Santa Monica and Malibu’s local public schools. </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you for making education a priority in your life and striving toward Excellent Public Schools for all children!</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sincerely, </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="mailto:Shariceps@aol.com?subject=CEPS%20input" rel="Shari Davis" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Shari Davis</a> & <a href="mailto:Rebecca@kennerly.com?subject=CEPS%20feedback" rel="Rebecca Soladay Kennerly" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Rebecca Soladay Kennerly</a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Co-Chairs, Community for Excellent Public Schools</div></span></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Keep up on local education issues on the <a href="http://excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com/" rel="CEPS blog" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="CEPS blog">CEPS blog</a></span></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Look for CEPS and "like" us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Community-for-Excellent-Public-Schools-CEPS/279428815598" rel="Facebook" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="CEPS on Facebook">Facebook</a></span></div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-90179146715725793642011-04-19T09:33:00.000-07:002011-04-19T09:33:25.671-07:00No Budget, No Election, No Future for California's Schools<link href="file://localhost/Users/rebeccakennerly/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link> <link href="file://localhost/Users/rebeccakennerly/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_editdata.mso" rel="Edit-Time-Data"></link> <link href="file://localhost/Users/rebeccakennerly/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_oledata.mso" rel="OLE-Object-Data"></link> <link href="file://localhost/Users/rebeccakennerly/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_themedata.xml" rel="themeData"></link> <style>
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</style> </i></span></span></div><div class="p1"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Cooper Black';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>J</i>oin Teachers, Parents and Students for a </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Cooper Black';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Friday the 13th Rally for a Real Solution</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Cooper Black';"><i><br />
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</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdF06e9MawhyPGdHX2w4FuDaEkranVqjEYempdeEGPxCujA2Lj7BX12xgc58fD2HZiMZpkOF_1zeUJm4lamj2B5CTVFhWGzadtjWkwwjhxAg6fj-CFi9brAcCM4Ht-vkjxQAUGFVFctU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-04-19+at+9.26.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdF06e9MawhyPGdHX2w4FuDaEkranVqjEYempdeEGPxCujA2Lj7BX12xgc58fD2HZiMZpkOF_1zeUJm4lamj2B5CTVFhWGzadtjWkwwjhxAg6fj-CFi9brAcCM4Ht-vkjxQAUGFVFctU/s640/Screen+shot+2011-04-19+at+9.26.05+AM.png" width="494" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-54238662983922306742011-03-31T13:53:00.000-07:002011-03-31T13:53:27.307-07:00California's Budget News Hit Hard Locally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santa Monica' incredible resource, the <a href="http://smllc.org/index.html">Lifelong Learning Community</a>, has helped inform us about events and issues that impact everyone in our community for many years. SMLLC is written and edited by the incredible Louise Jaffe, Member of the <a href="http://www.smc.edu/apps/pub.asp?Q=543&B=1">Santa Monica College Board of Trustees </a>and former CEPS co-Chair, who has graciously allowed this repost.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXHgpLMol_55igfTekxKFn7vTBQDWi65ETzPYmCoHqnqlKGnrPPFfZ709DJOcluCNX6DRrD8zmC_aBye0szpAtOb4cbM0TmqbFkY93n6o8lo00RRHkaMNIEDnkw2gt89qmXk2o9qJOqc/s1600/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXHgpLMol_55igfTekxKFn7vTBQDWi65ETzPYmCoHqnqlKGnrPPFfZ709DJOcluCNX6DRrD8zmC_aBye0szpAtOb4cbM0TmqbFkY93n6o8lo00RRHkaMNIEDnkw2gt89qmXk2o9qJOqc/s320/logo.gif" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lifelong Learning Community News - APRIL 2011</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">For months now, I’ve been writing, or avoiding writing, about the state budget and related local consequences. Yesterday, Governor Brown announced that negotiations with Republican legislators to hold a special June election have collapsed. This means there will be no opportunity for voters to consider extending existing taxes in a June election. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Democrats in the Legislature have already approved $12.4 billion in cuts. These include deep cuts to preschool and childcare, and reductions in health and human services that will impact people with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind, seniors, low income families, community organizations, providers and workers who provide supports and services. On top of these cuts, the UC and CSU systems lose $1 billion and the community college system loses $290 million - - this translates into course sections cut and less or no access for students pursuing a college education. Community college student fees will rise from $26 to $36 per unit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">These cuts are staggering and will absolutely impact Californians, especially children, older adults, those who are disabled, the poor, and college students. Yet this is just the beginning. Another $12 billion in cuts now haunts all plans for the immediate future... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Governor Brown and Democratic legislators are now on their own to try to figure out how to increase revenues to avoid an all-cuts scenario. We the voters, for the moment at least, are largely sitting on the sidelines, waiting to see what comes down and what we can vote on. Those of us responsible for running or governing state-funded agencies – this includes the school board, the college board (I am a trustee at SMC), many non-profits (most non-profits that serve the elderly, the disabled, and the poor rely heavily on state funding) are caught in the middle, trying to make plans for various terrible but as yet not fully known contingencies. It is really a mess and really not good news for lifelong learning in California.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Last week, SMC President/Superintendent Chui Tsang held a town hall forum on the budget. You can read about how the budget crisis is impacting SMC at <a href="http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2011/March-2011/03_30_2011_Lean_Times_Ahead_for_SMC_President_Tsang_Warns.html">http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2011/March-2011/03_30_2011_Lean_Times_Ahead_for_SMC_President_Tsang_Warns.html</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The city of Santa Monica is more protected from state cuts and more fiscally independent than the school district and the college district. However, Santa Monica has a robust redevelopment agency with hundreds of millions of dollars worth of future projects on the line. As of this writing, redevelopment has not been eliminated and Santa Monica has moved to protect some funding such as that for the new Virginia Avenue Park library. To read about the City’s efforts to protect redevelopment funds, please go to </span><br />
<a href="http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-03-14-71477.113116-City-secures-loan-to-fund-redevelopment-projects.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-03-14-71477.113116-City-secures-loan-to-fund-redevelopment-projects.html</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Anyhow, please follow the state budget situation. It absolutely impacts us and our local primary education institutions and social service agencies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I retain a smidgeon of hopefulness because after a recent parcel tax for our schools failed to pass, (I’ve already forgotten the letter), Santa Monicans voted in Y and YY. The lesson I take from this is that there is always another opportunity to move forward, as long as we remain diligent and ready to seize the day!</span>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-58794924808074298792010-11-04T16:29:00.000-07:002010-11-04T16:29:42.728-07:00Thoughts about Election Results and the future of Santa Monica Malibu Schools <span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Whew! What a ride. I’ve been trying to recover with little success, but here goes...<br />
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Tuesday night Propositions Y + YY sailed to victory under the skillful leadership of campaign chairs Shari Davis and Tom Larmore along with guidance by stupendous campaign consultant Barbara Grover! When the numbers came it, the sheer size of the victory seemed inevitable, but for those of you who were in the trenches, I’m sure you shared with me a sense of dread. I never knew whether these measures would pass and even now can’t believe they have!<br />
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Now, our work as Community for Excellent Public Schools continues. As the organization that originated of the measure that became the current Joint Use Agreement, and stalwart proponents of school/city partnerships, the actual process of allocation of these funds and a renegotiation of the current Joint Use agreement must be very high on our list of priorities. Continued vigilance from CEPS and the education community around the schools/city partnership must remain firmly in our sights. <br />
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Tuesday held so many important races for our community, our schools and our state. In the national sea of red, it was a rare great night to be a Californian.<br />
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Welcome to our two new SMMUSD Board of Education members, our own CEPS Steering Committee member, Nimish Patel and Laurie Lieberman! </span></span> <span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Both are tremendous leaders and will bring valuable new insight to the Board. </span></span> <span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">While we are sad to see Barry Snell and Kelly Pye exit the Board of Education, we hope and expect to see them at the CEPS table even more in the months and years to come! And of course, congratulations to re-elected incumbents Oscar de la Torre and Ralph Mechur! We hope to continue seeing you around the table as well.<br />
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Congratulations to re-elected City Council members Gleam Davis, Terry O’Day, Pam O’Connor, and Kevin McKeown. All are stalwart education supporters and we look forward to working with you for many years to come!<br />
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And the race for the final four-year Santa Monica City Council seat remains too close to call. Both CEPS Steering Committee member, Ted Winterer and Bob Holbrook were endorsed by CEPS and would be terrific on the Council. Too bad there aren’t enough seats for both! Like Ted and Bob, I will hold my breath until the results are final. However it turns out, though, CEPS is excited about the prospects of working with both Ted and Bob on education and city issues — on the Council, around the CEPS table and in the community.<br />
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I don’t know if all of you are as tired as I am. Most of you have a reason to be even more tired than I. However, I couldn’t be more excited about the future with Y + YY in place and incredible leadership to help put those increased revenues to the most effective use to benefit our schools and our city.<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">With much great work done — and much left to do, I applaud you all!</span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Bodoni SvtyTwo OS ITC TT-Book;">Rebecca Soladay Kennerly<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Bodoni SvtyTwo OS ITC TT-Book;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS), Chair<br />
www.excellentpublicschools.org<a href="http://excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com/"></a><br />
And look for us on Facebook</span></span></span>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-47995426876077820812010-11-04T15:23:00.000-07:002010-11-04T15:23:55.831-07:00Propositions Y + YY PASS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd6mTIJVHeeXkrWlDOHyBhS7Fk640M3Fl6dUURcM6cJBEXAgU5niRHu7R837ATxGYi-C3OdCoq2H0Yl4jCv_uvUD_sbRJbrtwU7rM5qBn_s9QM_aCpeZGVH7GiGgu9HSGdxC6_DiKmdY/s1600/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGd6mTIJVHeeXkrWlDOHyBhS7Fk640M3Fl6dUURcM6cJBEXAgU5niRHu7R837ATxGYi-C3OdCoq2H0Yl4jCv_uvUD_sbRJbrtwU7rM5qBn_s9QM_aCpeZGVH7GiGgu9HSGdxC6_DiKmdY/s320/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Education and city boosters cheered the news, Tuesday night, that a</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">tax to bring badly needed funds to local schools and for vital city services won a</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">landslide of voter support and will go into effect April 1st.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tax, Proposition Y, will add a half percent to the existing sales tax. Under a</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">companion measure, Proposition YY, half of the estimated $12 million generated</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">annually will go to Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Schools and the other half to vital city</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">services.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Voters passed Proposition “Y” by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent. “YY” won 68% of</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> the ballots cast.</span></b><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“This is a win for our students and for our community,” said Tom Larmore co-chair of the</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Proposition Y+YY campaign. “Everyone in Santa Monica benefits from great schools</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">and safe neighborhoods. They make Santa Monica one of the most desirable places to</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">live in the state and in the nation.”</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“This is a recognition of what an amazing community we live in here in Santa Monica,”</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">said Shari Davis, co-chair of the Proposition Y+YY campaign and president of the Santa</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monica-Malibu PTA Council. "We have a unique partnership between SMMUSD, City</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hall and our businesses that reflects the values of our residents."</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">“Prop Y gives residents another important reason to support local merchants – buy local,</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">support our schools and our city,” Larmore added.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At a half-cent per dollar, proponents said that Proposition Y will cost residents about the</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">same as one latte a month and that half of all Proposition Y revenues will be paid by</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">visitors and other non-residents who shop in Santa Monica.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rent, groceries, gas, prescriptions, medical care or equipment, any purchases made</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">with food stamps, utilities, and all services are exempt from sales tax and thus</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Proposition Y.</span><br />
<br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The propositions were supported by a broad and historic coalition from throughout the</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">community, including: renters, homeowners, neighborhood groups, small business</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">owners, the Santa Monica-Malibu Teachers Association, the Santa Monica Police</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Officers Association, the Santa Monica Firefighters Association, the PTA, Santa</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monicans for Renters' Rights, Santa Monica College and the League of Women Voters</span><br style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">of Santa Monica.</span>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-73469222316083220652010-11-02T05:22:00.000-07:002010-11-02T05:22:41.892-07:00VOTE TODAY to PROTECT Excellent Public Schools<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><div align="center"> <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/"><img border="0" height="112" hspace="0" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/e1288615578" vspace="0" width="104" /></a> </div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top"><div class="e2ma-layout-wrap"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center"> <a href="http://www.gleamdavis.com/"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288640235.jpg" width="95" /></a> </div><div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gleam Davis</span></span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SM City Council Two-year Seat</span></span></span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.terryoday.com/"><img alt="" border="0" height="80" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288640318.jpg" width="120" /></a> </div><div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Terry O'Day<br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SM City Council Two-year Seat</span><br />
</span></span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288640433.jpg" width="80" /> </div><div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Barry Snell<br />
</span></span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SMMUSD Board of Education<br />
</span></span></span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://liebermanforschoolboard.com/"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288639642.jpg" width="80" /></a> </div><div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago; font-size: 11pt;">Laurie Lieberman</span></div><div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SMMUSD Board of Education</span><br />
</span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.vote4oscar.com/bio.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288639959.jpg" width="80" /></a> </div><div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago; font-size: 11pt;">Oscar de la Torre<br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SMMUSD Board of Education</span></span></div></div></td> <td style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px;" valign="top" width="1%"><img height="1" src="http://www.e2ma.net/userdata/24/images/templates/spacer.gif" width="1" /></td> <td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="48%"> <div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">COMMUNITY FOR EXCELLENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">TODAY</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">IS ELECTION DAY</span></span></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">PLEASE VOTE! YOUR VOTE IS CRITICAL TO PROTECT SCHOOLS<br />
</span></span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com/" rel="VOTE YES ON Y+YY"><strong><span style="color: #d85826; font-family: terminal,monaco; font-size: 14pt;">√ VOTE YES ON Y+YY</span></strong></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #d85826; font-family: terminal,monaco;">Prevent devastating cuts to schools and vital city services</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: #d85826; font-family: terminal,monaco;"> <a href="http://www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com/coalition.html" rel="Support across our community">Support across our community!</a><br />
</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #d85826; font-family: terminal,monaco; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span></strong></div></div><div> </div><div> <div> <a href="http://excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com/2010/10/extra-ceps-makes-endorsements-for.html" rel="√ Vote for CEPS endorsed candidates"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> √ Vote for CEPS endorsed candidates</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com/2010/09/candidates-statements-for-cepslead.html" rel="Read Candidate Statements Here"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Read Candidate Statements Here</span></span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;">Who does CEPS REALLY trust to protect our schools? Here is the whole story.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">FOUR-YEAR SEAT</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.tedforcouncil.com/" rel="√ TED WINTERER" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ TED WINTERER</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.pamoconnor2010.org/" rel="PAM OCONNOR" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ PAM O'CONNOR</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.mckeown.net/Re-Elect_Santa_Monica_Councilmember_Kevin_McKeown.html" rel="KEVIN MCKEOWN" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ KEVIN MCKEOWN</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.bobholbrook.org/" rel="BOB HOLBROOK" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ BOB HOLBROOK</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">TWO-YEAR SEAT</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.gleamdavis.com/" rel="GLEAM OLIVIA DAVIS" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ GLEAM OLIVIA DAVIS</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.terryoday.com/" rel="TERRY ODAY" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ TERRY O'DAY</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">SANTA MONICA-MALIBU BOARD OF EDUCATION</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://liebermanforschoolboard.com/" rel="LAURIE LIEBERMAN" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ LAURIE LIEBERMAN</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ BARRY SNELL</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.vote4oscar.com/bio.html" rel="OSCAR DE LA TORRE" target="_self"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="color: black;">√ OSCAR DE LA TORRE</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990033;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="http://www.ralphmechur4schoolboard.com/" rel="RALPH MECHUR" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">√ RALPH MECHUR</span></a><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/" rel="More about Community for Excellent Public School" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">More about Community for Excellent Public School</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/" rel="The CEPS Mission" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The CEPS Mission</span></span></a></div></div></div></td> <td style="border-right: 1px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px;" valign="top" width="1%"><img height="1" src="http://www.e2ma.net/userdata/24/images/templates/spacer.gif" width="1" /></td> <td style="padding: 5px;" valign="top" width="25%"><div align="center"> <a href="http://www.tedforcouncil.com/"><img alt="Ted Winterer" border="0" height="111" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288638008.gif" width="120" /></a> </div><div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;">Ted Winterer</span></div><div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SM City Council Four-year Seat</span><br />
</span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.pamoconnor2010.org/"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288639113.jpg" width="80" /></a> </div><div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;">Pam O'Connor</span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SM City Council Four-year Seat</span></span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.mckeown.net/Re-Elect_Santa_Monica_Councilmember_Kevin_McKeown.html"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288639424.jpg" width="79" /></a> </div><div> <div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;">Kevin McKeown<br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SM City Council Four-year Seat</span></span></div></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.bobholbrook.org/"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288640623.jpg" width="98" /></a> </div><div> <div> <div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;">Bob Holbrook<br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SM City Council Four-year Seat</span></span></div></div></div></div><br />
<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.ralphmechur4schoolboard.com/"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" src="http://e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/small/e1288640818.jpg" width="83" /></a> </div><div> <div> <div> <div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago; font-size: 11pt;">Ralph Mechur<br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: impact,chicago; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">SMMUSD Board of Education</span></span></div></div></div></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td align="center" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10px; padding: 10px;" valign="top"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-17317469335653784882010-10-29T12:46:00.000-07:002010-10-29T12:46:09.075-07:00120 Hours to Go -- All Hands on Y+YY Deck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdANjN9pbCzjrFNiU6nakkvtrjdJcJcKNZ9WWAjSrlnNHTyJS90TP-skpbC8skJCqlOWabHZa0qQuurCLEVAqT_lgqudwdEC9hvPhb-iVamWTZ-dNrPH3cZgVe4ekkImtoWo2YNZTMHw/s1600/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdANjN9pbCzjrFNiU6nakkvtrjdJcJcKNZ9WWAjSrlnNHTyJS90TP-skpbC8skJCqlOWabHZa0qQuurCLEVAqT_lgqudwdEC9hvPhb-iVamWTZ-dNrPH3cZgVe4ekkImtoWo2YNZTMHw/s320/Y-YY+Logoverysm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Can you believe we have 120 (actually 117) hours left in the campaign? And, we need All Hands on Deck! Please make time in the next 120 hours to help with Yes on Y+YY GOTV (Get Out the Vote) Activities.</span></span></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please call the campaign office at 310.210.3187 to volunteer for a shift or three. Just an hour of your time in these last crucial days could make the difference! </span></span></span> <style>
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</style><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The full schedule of Volunteer Activities is below. My personal favorite is 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Election Day, to place doorhangers on our supporters' doorknobs in the wee hours before the polls open. Come to the Campaign Office at 5 a.m. for this exciting opportunity -- then, if you can, stay all day and be a Poll Watcher!<br />
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Please....recruit friends, colleagues, family members, tennis partners, fellow alumni, neighbors, and anyone else you can think of. We DO make the DIFFERENCE!<br />
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Thank you so much for all the leadership, support and efforts for the last three months! <br />
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</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>FRIDAY – October 29th<br />
</b>On sidewalks outside school sites: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Helvetica,Arial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hand out walk flyer and wave signs<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">At PTA events or from sidewalks: </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sell or hand out Y + YY trick or treat bags<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Phone bank: 11 am to 9 pm </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">at Yes on Y+YY Office – 3000 Ocean Park Blvd 3005<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><br />
SATURDAY- October 30th<br />
<i>Need 45 people to walk and 20 Phone Bankers for GOTV calls every hour.<br />
</i></b>Walk - Franklin: 2400 Montana Ave – 10 am to 5 pm<br />
Walk </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">- Grant: 2368 Pearl St – 10 am to 5 pm<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Phone bank: 10 am to 5 pm – Yes on Y+YY Office<br />
<b><br />
SUNDAY- October 31st<br />
<i>Need 45 people to walk and 20 Phone Bankers for GOTV calls every hour.<br />
</i></b>Walking from Y and YY Office: </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Starting at 10 am and Noon<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Phone bank: 10 am to 5 pm – Yes on Y+YY Office<br />
<b><br />
Monday – November 1st<br />
<i>Need 45 people to doorhang and 30 Phone Bankers for GOTV calls every hour.<br />
</i></b>Phone bank: 9 am to 9 pm – Yes on Y+YY Office<br />
Door hanging: 4 pm to 9 pm – Start at Yes on Y+YY Office<br />
School Sites: Please hand out flyers “Action Alert” and ½ sheet “Please Remember to Vote” during drop off and pickup<br />
<b><br />
ELECTION DAY November 2nd<br />
<i>Need 75 people to doorhang, </i></b></span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">70 walkers all day and 20 Phone Bankers every hour.<br />
</span></i></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Door hanging: 5 am to 7 am – Yes on Y+YY Office<br />
Walking: 8 am to 8 pm for All day shift – Other shifts: 9 am to 1 pm, 1 pm to 5 pm, </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4 pm to 8 pm<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Phone bank: </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">9 am to 8 pm- Please bring your own cell phone<br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">School Sites: Please hand out flyers “Action Alert” and ½ sheet “Please Remember to Vote” during drop off only.<br />
</span></span></span></blockquote>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-83653999157903775092010-10-16T05:46:00.000-07:002010-10-16T05:46:28.199-07:00Election Alert! From Community for Excellent Public Schools<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0000cc;"><strong><span style="font-size: 13pt;">COMMUNITY FOR EXCELLENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS</span></strong></span><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">This is an <strong>URGENT CALL TO ACTION</strong> <strong>to all parents</strong> with children in Santa Monica Malibu public schools. Many of you joined CEPS in working to pass Measure A, a school funding measure that failed by the slimmest of margins, and then on <a href="http://www.savesantamonicamalibuschools.org/" rel="Save Our Schools" target="_blank" title="SOS">Save Our Schools</a> over the summer to provide emergency bridge funding for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">this school year only</span>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">WE NEED YOUR HELP <span style="text-decoration: underline;">IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS</span> TO PREVENT ANOTHER CRISIS IN OUR SCHOOLS.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b></div></div></div></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px;" valign="top" width="1%"><div align="left"> <a href="http://www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com/"><img alt="YYY" border="0" height="108" src="https://app.e2ma.net/userdata/9257/images/medium/e1287184323" width="240" /></a> </div></td> </tr>
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</tbody></table><div> <div> <div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com/">Santa Monica Propositions Y + YY</a> will be decided in the November 2<sup>nd</sup> election. If passed, they will generate roughly <span style="text-decoration: underline;">$6 million per year for our schools that cannot be taken away by Sacramento</span>. The cost for us is equivalent to a few cups of coffee a month. But the revenues will be a long-term lifeline for our schools!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>BUT PROPOSITIONS Y + YY <span style="text-decoration: underline;">WILL NOT PASS</span> WITHOUT YOUR HELP TODAY!</strong></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The Prop Y + YY opposition, the same people who have opposed all school funding measures, is working hard to promote their misleading campaign. While Measures Y + YY are supported by CEPS, PTA, SMRR, the teachers, police and firefighters associations and thousands of Santa Monica leaders <a href="http://www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com/coalition.html" rel="(click here to see Y+YYs many endorments)" target="_blank" title="YYY endorsements">(see Y+YY's many endorments)</a>, the opposition can still defeat Y + YY unless we mount an enormous grass roots effort <strong>today</strong>. It will take all of us to make sure voters understand the importance of these measures.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #8b020b;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">TAKE ACTION TODAY!</span></strong></span></span></div><ul><li><em><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.yesonyandyysantamonica.com/getinvolved.php" rel="VOLUNTEER JUST TWO HOURS TO PASS Y + YY" target="_blank" title="YYY volunteer">VOLUNTEER JUST TWO HOURS TO PASS Y + YY</a> Join CEPS, teachers, PTA, school board members and everyone who cares about protecting our schools on precinct walks, October 23, 27 & 30. The campaign also urgently needs your help phone banking each and every day till November 2. </span></span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="https://etribute.durkeeandassociates.com/c.php?c=yesonyyy" rel="DONATE" target="_blank" title="YYY donate">DONATE</a> We are critically short of raising the budget needed to pass Y + YY. Voters will vote “no” on funding increases they don’t know enough about. Your contribution today will allow us to let voters know how important Y + YY are for our community.</span></span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">VOTE – The November 2<sup>nd</sup> election could be the most important election we’ve ever had for local public schools. <a href="http://excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com/2010/10/extra-ceps-makes-endorsements-for.html" rel="CEPS has endorsed" target="_blank" title="CEPS endorsements">CEPS has endorsed</a> the candidates we feel we can trust to protect our schools.</span></span></em></li>
<li><em><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">KEEP INFORMED – STRONG ADVOCACY BEGINS WITH INFORMATION. </span></span></em></li>
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</tbody></table><div> <div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><strong><span style="color: #2509f5;">CEPS ENDORSED CANDIDATES</span></strong></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Community for Excellent Public schools urges you to make informed decisions and, most importantly, VOTE on November 2<sup>nd</sup>. CEPS enthusiastically endorses, not only Propositions Y + YY, but also these candidates, who all have strong and trusted track records for their education advocacy. <a href="http://excellentpublicschools.blogspot.com/2010/10/extra-ceps-makes-endorsements-for.html" rel="CEPS endorsements and Candidates Statements here." target="_blank" title="CEPS endorsements">CEPS endorsements and Candidates Statements here.</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">CEPS is proud to support the following candidates:</span></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Santa Monica City Council Two-year race</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #1217ec;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://gleamdavis.com/" rel="Gleam Davis" target="_blank" title="Gleam">Gleam Davis</a> & <a href="http://www.terryoday.com/" rel="Terry O’Day" target="_blank" title="Terry Oday">Terry O’Day</a></span></strong></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Santa Monica City Council Four-year race</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2018e6;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.tedforcouncil.com/" rel="Ted Winterer" target="_blank" title="Ted Winterer">Ted Winterer</a>,</span></strong></span><span style="color: #2018e6;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Pam O’Connor, </span></strong></span> <a href="http://e2ma.net/go/6822410545/208343704/215849097/9257/goto:http://www.bobholbrook.org/" rel="Bob Holbrook" target="_blank" title="Bob Holbrook"><span style="color: #2018e6;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></strong></span></a><span style="color: #2018e6;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.bobholbrook.org/" rel="Bob Holbrook" target="_blank" title="Bob Holbrook">Bob Holbrook</a>, & <a href="http://www.mckeown.net/Re-Elect_Santa_Monica_Councilmember_Kevin_McKeown.html" rel="Kevin McKeown" target="_blank" title="Kevin McKeown">Kevin McKeown</a> <br />
</span></strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Board of Education</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2514ea;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://liebermanforschoolboard.com/">Laurie Lieberman</a>, <a href="http://www.ralphmechur4schoolboard.com/" rel="Ralph Mechur" target="_blank" title="Ralph Mechur">Ralph Mechur</a>, Barry Snell & <a href="http://www.vote4oscar.com/" rel="Oscar de la Torre" target="_blank" title="oscar de la torre">Oscar de la Torre</a></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0417fa;"><strong><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS EVENT</span></strong></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Please join us for the fifth-annual State of Our Schools event takes place Monday, October 25 in Santa Monica and October 26 in Malibu. <br />
</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Hear Superintendent Tim Cuneo make the annual State of Our Schools report about SMMUSD achievements, challenges, and funding. In addition, Santa Monica City Manager Rod Gould will speak at the Santa Monica event about city and school district partnership.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Monday, October 25, 2010 Tuesday, October 26, 2010<br />
</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">6:00-9:00pm </span><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">6:00-9:00pm</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Santa Monica Main Library Malibu High School Library<br />
</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong>Martin Luther King, Jr., Auditorium <br />
</strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">601 Santa Monica Blvd. </span><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">30215 Morning View Dr.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Santa Monica 90401 Malibu 90265<br />
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</tbody></table>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-66731697229529392692010-10-01T10:49:00.000-07:002010-10-02T06:14:02.800-07:00EXTRA! CEPS makes endorsements for November 2nd Election<style>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) </span></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Endorsements for November 2<sup>nd</sup> Election</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">September 30, 2010, SANTA MONICA–Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) has made endorsements in local races that will be decided by voters on November 2<sup>nd</sup>. The decade-old education-focused Political Action Committee has endorsed:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Yes on Santa Monica Propositions Y + YY</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica City Council Two-year race</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Gleam Davis and Terry O’Day</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica City Council Four-year race</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Bob Holbrook, Kevin McKeown, Pam O’Connor and Ted Winterer</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Board of Education</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Laurie Lieberman, Ralph Mechur, Barry Snell and Oscar de la Torre</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">CEPS’s endorsements were made by its Steering Committee after its education-based candidate’s forum on Monday. A primary criteria in the Santa Monica City Council races were candidates positions on city propositions Y + YY. All CEPS endorsed candidates expressed at the forum their support for both Proposition Y, a half-percent transaction and use tax that would bring additional revenues into city coffers, and Proposition YY, a companion advisory measure that asks the City Council to direct half of increased revenues generated by Proposition Y to local schools, with the other half benefitting vital City services.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">In addition, all CEPS endorsed City Council Candidates stated, unequivocally, at the forum that should Propositions Y + YY pass, they would support allocating the full 50% of increased revenues to SMMUSD schools, with that allocation being added to and not supplant the current funding generated by the Joint Use Agreement between the City of Santa Monica and SMMUSD.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">CEPS noted the longtime service of Bob Holbrook, Pam O’Connor and Kevin McKeown to the City of Santa Monica and their many accomplishments in citywide and regional issues, along with their consistent support for our local public schools. The group also felt that Ted Winterer, a SMMUSD parent and Santa Monica Planning Commissioner, is a strong advocate for education and would be a valuable addition to the City Council.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">In the School Board election, CEPS wanted to support the three incumbents in the race, Oscar de la Torre, Ralph Mechur and School Board President, Barry Snell, as a vote of confidence for the direction and positive moves currently underway within the District. Each of these incumbents had a strong role to play in Special Education reform, guiding the district through its recent budget crises, and helping develop the focus and goals for the district, which has just seen a significant rise in student test scores.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11pt;">For the final endorsed seat, CEPS has supported longtime education activist, Laurie Lieberman, who it feels will add a strong, new, and extremely knowledgeable voice to the SMMUSD Board of Education.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1441459174274801824.post-56309420797163558622010-09-25T17:09:00.000-07:002010-09-25T17:09:27.595-07:00CANDIDATES STATEMENTS for CEPS/LEAD Education Community's Candidates Forum -- Monday September 27<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOouVq4M4dFihgZnLQ6_C4AjcDGutw3EMj-FDlOZK0AiyZceeTcXShZqfvsmWqFmNF9IlfXPY4lJw8SnOgrFU2hFo10JG_Xm0ZxEMrfp0wf73pNQTjZhd059_wPqhRMsE0xROwBBlyVE/s1600/cepslogo4.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaaTurqCqIQo-D8IJ1m7C1xobKxG-KbYgvzJOhHH9Rc2wscDFNIM2xsOJLqG835_cmdM_xUG0KcsYVMYIKqAX6uLUYDDiCflNsNgB8XNAv8KE44FOoRqSxMmAohLKuzkdeUQ3RCwdLgo/s1600/LEADlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaaTurqCqIQo-D8IJ1m7C1xobKxG-KbYgvzJOhHH9Rc2wscDFNIM2xsOJLqG835_cmdM_xUG0KcsYVMYIKqAX6uLUYDDiCflNsNgB8XNAv8KE44FOoRqSxMmAohLKuzkdeUQ3RCwdLgo/s1600/LEADlogo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="Section1"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoHeader" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"></span><span> </span><b><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">CEPS</span></b></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> (Community for Excellent Public Schools) </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18pt;">and</span><b><span style="color: #365f92; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">LEAD</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;"> (Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, Direction for Santa Monica-Malibu Public Schools) </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 20pt;">Present</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 28pt;">The Education Community’s Candidates Forum</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">Monday, September 27<sup>th</sup> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">Santa Monica Main Library • Multi-purpose Room</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">601 Santa Monica Blvd.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">6:00 pm - Santa Monica-Malibu School Board Candidates</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">7:30 pm - Santa Monica City Council Candidates</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS)</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> is dedicated to the preservation and betterment of public schools in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. In order to achieve this goal, we resolve:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 9pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">To promote a shared community vision for excellence in our public schools that includes early childhood and post-secondary education; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 9pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">To evaluate and pursue a range of short and long term funding measures through state, city and school district policies and elections;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 9pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">To identify and support issues that will support education and public schools, including early childhood education, after-school programs, and post-secondary public education;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 9pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">To increase public awareness of the value and uniqueness of our public schools;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 9pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">To promote accountability for high quality public education by public institutions and public officials.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.excellentpublicschools.org/">www.excellentpublicschools.org</a><span> </span>• </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="mailto:info@excellentpublicschools.org">info@excellentpublicschools.org</a></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">LEAD (Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, Direction for Santa Monica-Malibu Public Schools)</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"> is a grassroots association whose members share a commitment to outstanding public schools and a growing concern that our School District needs more effective leadership.<span> </span>We need leaders who honestly acknowledge our District’s problems and tackle them head-on before they reach the crisis stage.<span> </span>We need School District leaders who lead rather than oppose efforts to implement needed reforms.<span> </span>We need School District leaders who foster open community discussion of issues facing the District and maximize the many capable volunteers and parents in our community.<span> </span>LEAD will hold District leaders accountable and contribute to a new policy environment that facilitates healthy, open discussion about how best to achieve the widely shared goal of educational excellence for all our students.</span></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond;">SANTA MONICA – MALIBU BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATE STATEMENTS</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond;">In alphabetical order</span></b></div><h1><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></h1><h1><span style="font-size: 11pt;">CHRIS BLEY</span></h1><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Age: 37 • Occupation: High School Teacher</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">E-mail address: </span><a href="mailto:chris@chrisbley.com"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">chris@chrisbley.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>•<span> </span>Website: <a href="http://www.chrisbley.com/">www.chrisbley.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I am a graduate of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Every success I’ve had in life began with the education I received here. My many gifted teachers inspired me to become a teacher myself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I want to make sure the SMMUSD continues providing that great education. But this year’s cuts of 58 teachers, reading specialists, librarians, music instruction, and the rest have started a decline. Our community can reverse this by electing new board members who will place the students’ needs first.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As one of those leaders, I will</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Make budget cuts away from the classroom. I have found many administrative areas where our district spends much more than comparable districts do.</span></li>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Why did we spend $812,000 on Centralized Data Processing vs. $86,000 in Las Virgenes when we cut 58 teachers and staff?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Why did the General Administration increase their budget 4.5% this year while cutting 58 teachers and staff?</span></li>
</ol><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Implement some of the revenue-generating ideas that have been talked about for years.</span></li>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Hire a Director of Development</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Increase public-private and public-public partnerships</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Increase the rentals and land-use arrangements between the schools and other groups</span></li>
</ol><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Listen and answer to parents and the community. </span></li>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I will meet with community groups twice a month, on their turf, to maintain an open dialogue.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have met with teachers regularly. Several teacher’s have complained to be the Board members never ask for suggestions or opinions </span></li>
</ol></ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My background for the job:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">High-school history and government teacher for the past 10 years</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Middle-school teacher for Peace Corps in Romania. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Special education aide, grades K-8</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">SMMUSD student for 10 years</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">PATRICK CADY</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As a school board member, I bring the combined perspective of community member, parent, and teacher/coach. As a parent and<span> </span>community member,<span> </span>I have high expectations for the schools. As a teacher and coach of 35 years, I understand the dynamics of how students can achieve those expectations. I believe that our schools must provide a comprehensive and challenging curriculum where students can learn in a safe environment and are supported by a partnership of caring and demanding teachers, committed administrators, capable staff, and loving parents. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Realizing that the role of the central office is to provide adequate resources, I intend to maintain fiscal integrity and equitable allocation of resources. Fully understanding the role of board member as one who sets policy, I am committed to ensuring a culture of inclusiveness where everyone is a part of a caring, supportive, and family-friendly community.</span></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><span class="bold"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">LAURIE LIEBERMAN</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I am a 30-year Santa Monica resident, a parent and a public education activist.<span> </span>I have volunteered in our elementary, middle, and high schools for over a decade.<span> </span>Before having children, I worked for 13 years as an attorney for the City addressing policy issues ranging from affordable housing to childcare.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have been deeply involved with school funding campaigns and with academic, music and athletic programs.<span> </span>In recent years, I co-chaired the Samohi Coalition, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">which convinced the City to commit $57 million to joint City/School District project.<span> </span>I chaired the Fundraising Committee for Measure A.<span> </span>I am a founding member and until recently, the co-chair of LEAD, which formed to ensure greater accountability, transparency and inclusiveness in District decision-making.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The biggest challenge to our schools is financial -- the direct result of a loss of $20 million in State funding in two years.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My priorities will include:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Enhancing local revenues and private funding, while pressuring the State and federal governments to increase education funding.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Nurturing existing and cultivating new partnerships </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">with Santa Monica and Malibu, Santa Monica College, and community non-profits.</span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Providing </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">collaborative, open, inclusive and accountable leadership. This includes hiring our next Superintendent.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Supporting curriculum and teacher preparation </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">to prepare our children for the future.</span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Encouraging the development of innovative programming and instruction </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">that closes the achievement gap; ensuring that equity considerations guide decision-making. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Promoting recruitment and retention of high quality teachers and staff.</span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Building bridges between Malibu and Santa Monica schools </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">and being responsive to Malibu families.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Making quality preschool and after-school care available.</span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Promoting high-quality facilities </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">to support District programs.</span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span class="bold"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Continuing special education </span></span><span class="txt2"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">services and practice reforms.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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My key endorsements are:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sheila Kuehl<span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Julia Brownley </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">S</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">anta Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">SEIU Local 99 School Employees</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">L.A. County Democratic Party</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica Democratic Club</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">National Women’s Political Caucus – Los Angeles Westside <br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">RALPH MECHUR</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> (Incumbent)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have been a resident of the community, active in its civic life for over 30 years<span> </span>- supporting Education through managing parcel tax and capital bond campaigns, collaborating on a community-wide effort resulting in the City of Santa Monica financially supporting the District, and in developing the capacity of the Education Foundation to support academic and arts programs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I believe every student should be given equal access to the best public education.<span> </span>Our community has the capacity to provide every student with an excellent education providing them the skills to become productive contributing adults. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 28pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">If re-elected my priorities will be to:<br />
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<b>1.</b> <i><span style="color: black;">Hire a highly qualified Superintendent</span></i><span style="color: black;"> with previous experience in a District of at least similar size with a diverse student population; strong success in evaluating, recommending and implementing programs that addressing the issues of poorly performing students<i>; </i>and<i> </i>excellent administrative and communication skills.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 28pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">2. </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Support innovative programs that raise achievement levels of all students</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">, particularly those who are not grade-level proficient<span style="color: black;">.<span> </span>The District needs to effectively align resources with need and promote quality professional instruction. Targeted intervention, particularly in the early grades, is crucial to breaking the cycle of low achievement for several student groups.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 28pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">3</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">. <i>Develop a long-term strategy to stabilize revenue</i>. The best way to create a sustainable budget is to provide a constant source of new revenue. I fully support Propositions Y and YY because they will provide such a source.<span style="color: black;"><span> </span></span>The community also needs to address ways to leverage community-wide assets for district-wide needs. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As a Boardmember, I serve for all of our students. I am accessible and will meet with parents, residents and city officials to discuss key issues.<span> </span>We need to bring these issues to the table in a timely fashion to share information and make informed decisions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">NIMISH PATEL</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When I was 3 years old, my parents, living in a small town in India, dreamed of giving me and my sisters a better life than they had.<span> </span>They decide to leave their home and all that was familiar to travel half way around the world to America and build a new life.<span> </span>My parents were willing to do all of this so that they could provide their children with the best education possible.<span> </span>In India, the caste system determines your destiny, in America it is your education.<span> </span>Now that I am a parent, it is my turn to give back to my children and my community.<span> </span>My involvement includes:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">District’s Financial Oversight Committee</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica College Bond Oversight Committee</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">School Site Governance Council</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Parcel Tax Feasibility Committee/Measure A Campaign/SOS volunteer </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our public schools are facing the worst financial crisis in their history.<span> </span>I have degrees in accounting, business and law, and I will use my skills to proactively tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Importantly, I am a father with two young children in our schools; a constant reminder of why great schools and great teachers are critical to our future.<span> </span>As School Board Member, I will: </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Strengthen our District’s finances and ensure fiscal responsibility </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Implement revenue enhancements to keep class sizes small</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Support programs and curricula to raise achievement and narrow the achievement gap</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We are living in unprecedented times, and the new challenges require new skill sets and new leaders with different ways of approaching the problem.<span> </span>I have the skill sets, ideas and the passion to help our District through this financial crisis.<span> </span>I want to give the next generation of children access to an excellent education so they too can write their own destiny.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal;">OSCAR DE LA TORRE</span></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A Leader with a Purpose</span></h2><div class="MsoBodyText2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As the first person in my family to graduate from high school and enter a four-year university, I know the doors of opportunity open with access to excellent public schools. I am running for re-election to the Santa Monica Malibu USD Board of Education to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A father of two children, I am committed to strengthening our schools by:<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ensuring resources are invested in the classroom versus administrative overhead.</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Alleviating the tax burden on residents by seeking creative funding options. </span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Supporting Music and the Arts as part of the core curriculum. </span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Continuing the progress in closing the academic achievement gap.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Creating a P-20 Education Coalition to build partnerships for the benefit of students. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></li>
</ul><h2><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">A Personal Commitment to Serving our Students </span></h2><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">While serving as student body president at Santa Monica High in 1990 I decided to commit my life to public service.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I completed my MA. Degree in 1998 and returned to work as a counselor at Samohi. In 2002 I founded a youth center that has served hundreds of students and has most recently led community organizing to achieve a City-wide plan for violence prevention. </span></div><h2><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Experienced Leadership You Can Count On</span></h2><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I am a public school advocate with eight years of proven leadership on the school board. I served as President of the board in 2007-08 and have fought tirelessly to ensure accountability and transparency are values that guide the school district’s decision-making. On the school board I led efforts to bring needed reforms to special education, ensured Olympic High was accredited, implemented district-wide recycling policies and supported partnerships between SMC and the school district to expand college readiness support for students. During challenging times, our students deserve experienced leadership on the School Board.<a href="http://www.vote4oscar.com/">www.vote4oscar.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">JAKE WACHTEL </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">District-wide budget cuts threatened to deprive our schools of outstanding educators and programs.<span> </span>I realized that I had to run for school board when my daughter’s first grade teacher was handed a pink slip.<span> </span>Loss of fine teachers is unacceptable.<span> </span>We need better budget allocation, improved implementation and long-term planning.<span> </span>I’m running for Santa Monica-Malibu School Board to help make choices that keep quality educators and programs despite economic difficulties, improving our position as one of the best districts in the country. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I am public school educated from kindergarten through high school, where I participated in Academic Decathlon and served as Student Body President. Having taught and coached in the U.S. and overseas, I have practical experience a school board member needs.<span> </span>Elected Nagasaki City Representative for foreign teachers, I studied and assessed the merits and limitations of Japanese public education, gaining a comparative global perspective.<span> </span>Back in California, I was awarded the CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs, a leadership-training program in government, non-profits, business, labor and media.<span> </span>I worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the California Community Foundation on textbook adoptions, allocation of school funds and technology.<span> </span>I served on a private board, allocating money to public schools.<span> </span>As an international journalist and television producer committed to education, I serve on Santa Monica College’s Journalism Advisory Board and the Claremont McKenna Media Advisory Board.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My teaching and work in business and international journalism give me a global perspective on improving our schools that other candidates don’t have.<span> </span>I have spent a career working with budgets, trouble-shooting and executing ideas.<span> </span>I am a strong negotiator who seeks out other opinions, a communicator who listens.<span> </span>Please </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">contact me, share your thoughts</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">and</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> vote for me.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Thank you.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:jake@electjake.info">jake@electjake.info</a> and <a href="http://www.electjake.info/">www.electjake.info</a></span></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond;">SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE STATEMENTS</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond;">In alphabetical order</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">GLEAM DAVIS – Incumbent, Two-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">On the City Council, I am a strong voice for lifelong learning and our schools.<span> </span>In my brief time on the Council, I have championed these initiatives:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">The multi-year renewal of the Facilities Use Agreement that brings over $7 million to our public schools, </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Construction of an Early Childhood Education Center at the Civic Center; </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">The use of City Redevelopment Agency funds to build athletic and recreational facilities on the Santa Monica High School campus that can be used by students and the public;</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">A City loan to allow summer funding of full-day preschool for the children of working families when the State precipitously cut off their funding, and </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Measure YY which allows voters in November to advise the City Council whether half of the proceeds of the Transaction and Use Tax (if Measure Y passes) should be spent on educational programs.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Prior to joining the City Council, I was a member of the Steering Committee of the Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) and I helped found LEAD <span>(Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, Direction for Santa Monica-Malibu Public Schools).<span> </span>I have served the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District as Chair of the Facilities Bond Advisory Committee and Chair of the District Advisory Committee on Child Development.<span> </span>I also was the Co-chair of the Santa Monica Child Care and Early Education Task Force and sat on various Site Governance and PTA Committees.<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica is rightfully proud of its excellent public schools.<span> </span>Strong schools and lifelong learning are essential components of a safe and livable community.<span> </span>As a City Council member, I am committed to working with the community to look for creative and meaningful ways to bring additional resources to education and improve educational opportunity for everyone.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-transform: uppercase;">David Ganezer</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> – Two-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have lived in Santa Monica for 28 years. My children attend Santa Monica public schools and I am a product of a public school system. The availability of an excellent public school district is essential if one wants an excellent community. I am proud that we have a school district that succeeds at a high level, but our school district needs help. Since the state is unable to provide as much support as it could in the past, the responsibility is now with the local activists and the City government.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As publisher of the Santa Monica Observer Newspaper, I hear from readers. The thing I hear most frequently is they want a City government that does not waste money and a great school district that provides for the children and keeps property values high. These two demands are connected. The City needs to stop being wasteful. This will take the City out of deficit spending, and make more money available that can go to the school district.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As a City Council member, I will be somebody the education community can depend on for unwavering support. I want to increase the amount of funding the City provides the schools. I was pleased our local activists worked hard to raise more than $1.5 million during the Save Our Schools campaign, but that shouldn’t have been necessary. Our City has lots of money that is going to places where it should not. We need to use that money to support our children.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">CEPS was created because the City was severely under-supporting the schools. I was proud that CEPS was able to force a change to that. I look forward to being a part of a council that takes the next step. I would be honored to have your support.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">David Ganezer for Santa Monica City Council </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">www.Ganezer2010.com</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">SUSAN HARTLEY – Two-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’m seeking a Council seat to <b>return</b> c<b>ontrol of Santa Monica to residents.</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Santa Monica we know and love is being bulldozed to death.<span> </span>Developments are of unacceptable number, height and density.<span> </span><b>We need more limits on growth.</b><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica Airport threatens us <b>all</b> daily with air pollution, noise pollution and crash risks.<span> </span>The FAA’s expansion of flight paths endangers wider areas and more families.<span> </span><b>The Airport must be closed. </b></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Tenant protections must be preserved and expanded to protect long time residents and socioeconomic diversity.<span> </span><b>Vote for the Eviction Protection Ordinance.</b><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica needs to walk like it talks environmentally.<span> </span><b>The disgrace of our polluted beaches must end.<span> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’m a lifelong <b>advocate for individual rights</b> (attorney, independent community leader, teacher, activist). <b><span> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My qualifications</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>15 year resident (north and south SM) – renter and homeowner</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Airport Commission, former Vice-Chair</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Friends of Sunset Park Board Member</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Treesavers Co-founder</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Arlington West/Veterans for Peace-LA Board Member</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Employee/Tenant Attorney - 30 years</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Teacher - 5 years</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Girl Scout leader - 12 years</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>SMMUSD:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>PTSA officer</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>Strategic Plan Design Team member</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Daughter is SMMUSD, UC Berkeley and their music programs’ alum. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Organic gardener, animal owner/rescuer, walker, bike rider, writer</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Please vote for me on November 2<sup>nd</sup>.<span> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">BOB HOLBROOK – Incumbent, Four-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Occupation: Santa Monica Councilmember, Pharmacist</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">E-mail Address: <a href="mailto:BobHolbrook2010@hotmail.com">BobHolbrook2010@hotmail.com</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I was born in Santa Monica, attended Santa Monica schools, raised my family, and served as a community pharmacist here.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Maybe that’s why as a councilmember, my decisions are always driven by residents’ priorities and concerns:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">●<span> </span>The <b>strongest police</b> and <b>fire/paramedic</b> departments. People<span> </span>must be safe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">●<span> </span><b><span> </span>Excellent public schools. </b>They benefit not just students, but the whole community. As a former school board member, I understand the City must help its schools. Santa Monica-Malibu Schools have been severely affected by the financial woes of the State of California. We have reached a point that the City must increase it’s support of the our public schools or watch the deterioration of our most valuable asset. I will support our schools.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">●<span> </span>A homeless policy that <b>moves people </b>into<b> housing</b> and does <b>NOT</b> enable them to live on our streets<b>.</b><span> </span>I will continue to build programs that provide housing first and return people to their hometowns.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">●<span> </span><b>Clean</b> <b>beaches</b> and <b>ocean</b>. We must continue working aggressively to reduce bacteria and toxic chemicals flowing into Santa Monica Bay.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">●<span> </span><b>Santa Monica Airport</b>. The FAA agreement expires in 2015. I will work with the community to plan future resident-friendly airport uses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">●<span> </span><b>Light rail</b>. I support a thorough public process to insure the safest and best possible service for Santa Monica.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I will continue protecting Santa Monica’s natural beauty and ambience. We must preserve what we love about Santa Monica.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I bring <b>commitment</b>, <b>experience,</b> and <b>profound respect</b> for residents to the council. I am eager to continue <b>working for you.</b></span></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">ROBERT KRONOVET – Two-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Dear Friends:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><pre><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>Two years ago you elected me the first independent member of our Rent Board...I have brought desperately needed new ideas and solutions to our city government.<span> </span>Now I'm asking you to lend us a hand again and elect me to city council. <span style="color: black;"></span></span></pre><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I'm running to reduce taxes, re-direct 20 million dollars to our schools, and build our police and fire departments.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Here is where the 20 million come from…</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>1)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I will stop the lending of between 7 million and 12 million dollars a year to the Santa<span> </span>Monica Community Corp.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>2)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The city spends more then 2million dollars yearly on "consultants". We have city staff that is perfectly qualified to do this work.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span>3)<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">For the last 32 years the SMRR city council has duplicated many County and State social and housing programs,<span> </span>costing the tax payer over<span> </span>10 million dollars a year. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I believe the homeless population is a threat to our public safety and must be dramatically reduced. This is a state and federal issue and not a municipal one. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I will move to</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> re-instate the</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> <b><span lang="EN">Civilian Conservation Corps</span></b><span lang="EN"> (<b>CCC</b>)<span> </span>a public work relief program started by FDR in1933 for unemployed men and women. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When elected I will move to normalize our city and match the level of financial and staff resources that our neighbor cities have committed to. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We can not tax our way out of<span> </span>financial mismanagement</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I pledge to work hard for your family, your city and the future of our children.<span> </span>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My family and I own a successful real estate brokerage and property management firm. I'm an active member in the Board of Realtors, where I currently Chair the Education Committee as well as serving on Public Policy Committee and the Centennial Club<span>.<span> </span><b>We have serious problems and we need serious people to solve them!</b></span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Kronovet for City Council 2010</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
3019 Pico Blvd # 4 Santa Monica, CA 90405 (310) 829-9303<br />
Kronovet for City Council 2010<span> </span>-<span> </span>ID #1322590<br />
<b><a href="http://www.robertkronovet.com/">www.RobertKronovet.com</a><span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">TERENCE LATER – Four-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I was born in Santa Monica and have lived here all my life.<span> </span>I have attended Will Rogers, John Adams, Lincoln, Olympic, Samohi, SMC and UCLA.<span> </span>I have lived in several neighborhoods in Santa Monica, from Ocean Park to north of Montana.<span> </span>I am a renter and small business owner.<span> </span>I love our school district, our parks, our beaches and every community that makes up our wonderful city.<span> </span>I am looking forward to guiding our fine city towards a great future.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As your Councilman I will:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Be accountable in representing the 89,000+ citizens of Santa Monica.<span> </span>Making sure City Hall deals honestly with residents by connecting fees to actual costs of services.<span> </span>City staff are public servants, not “back door” tax collectors.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Continue to demand transparency and government accountability.<span> </span>I worked tirelessly with Ralph Nader’s team to defeat Prop W in 2006, which would have gutted the anti-corruption rules passed decisively by 59% of Santa Monica voters in 2000.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Support responsible limited growth and development in Santa Monica.<span> </span>I worked with Bobby Shriver, Ted Winterer and Kevin McKeown on Prop T in 2008 to limit development6.<span> </span>Limit traffic and produce sensible parking alternatives for residents as I did 2006, pressing for new parking meter technology that is in place today.<span> </span>Make the fines and the appeals process for parking tickets more equitable.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Maintain Rent Control as it stands today.<span> </span>No new taxes.<span> </span>Put senior exemptions and sunset clauses into any future bond initiatives.<span> </span>I fought for this language to be placed in Prop V in 2006 and will continue to pursue it.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We as residents are tired of the city council redlining the budget and exploiting the senior citizens and renters for political ambition.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Set aside a portion of our shoreline for a dog beach.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Work to allocate our city resources to strengthen our Police and Fire departments.<span> </span>Expand and maintain our parks.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;"><span>§<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Protect our city’s environment and keep our beaches clean.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">And the most important priority: Supporting and improving our schools.<span> </span>Our city’s annual budget is in excess of $600 million dollars.<span> </span>I agree with Mayor Bobby Shriver that the added sales tax initiative is not necessary.<span> </span>What is necessary is a balanced city budget.<span> </span>Shame on our City Council for obliging elementary school students to stand in front of our grocery stores and on street corners selling lemonade and candy to fund their arts programs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-transform: uppercase;">Kevin McKeown</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-transform: uppercase;"> – </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Incumbent, Four-year Seat</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-transform: uppercase;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Santa Monica Councilmember and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">SMMUSD </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Educational technology consultant</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16pt; margin: 0in 0.5in 0.0001pt 1.5in; text-indent: -1.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I will continue to bring a unique pro-public school perspective to our Santa Monica City Council.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">All Councilmembers have day jobs, and mine is working with our teachers, students, and administrators as the Macintosh computer consultant for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.<span> </span>I have also been a Samohi parent.<span> </span>While in a previous relationship, I helped raise a young woman, Samohi ’02, who is now a special education teacher at Young Learners Preschool in Culver City.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I went to public high school myself, where a counselor helped guide me, a struggling boy from a single-parent household, into a full scholarship to Yale.<span> </span>I know first-hand the difference a caring staff in a well-supported public school can make in a young person’s life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Throughout my twelve years on the City Council I have been a consistent supporter of our school programs, personally seeking and securing City funding for student activities and travel.<span> </span>Does it make a difference?<span> </span>One Samohi student I helped send to the World Social Forum is now the youngest lawmaker in the Vermont legislature.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I have helped foster the community awareness and willingness that lets the City of Santa Monica direct millions of dollars in direct funding to SMMUSD every year, although state law precludes me from taking part in the final vote because of my professional involvement with the District.<span> </span>I have also championed over twenty-two million dollars of city youth programs that benefit our students, and developed increased funding for pre-school and earlier education programs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">With gratitude toward all the community members who contribute </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">ideas and effort for making Santa Monica a better city, I’m running for </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">re-election on my record of responsiveness to residents.<span> </span>You’ve supported and inspired me to continue protecting our neighborhoods, and our quality of life — a primary part of which is the excellence of our public schools.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">PAM O’CONNOR – Incumbent, Four-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
I love being part of Santa Monica--we’re a community of people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life…we’re energetic, opinionated, optimistic.<span> </span>And I want to make Santa Monica an ever better place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished on the Council. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Education is key to an informed and engaged community.<span> </span>I’ve consistently voted for funding public schools while ensuring transparency and accountability.<span> </span>This partnership between the City and schools has grown stronger and we’re working together to secure additional school funding.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our neighborhoods needed protection from overdevelopment, so I initiated revision of our Land Use and Circulation Elements--with environmental sustainability as its framework.<span> </span>The most important aspect of LUCE is protection and conservation of residential neighborhoods.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We all experience regional traffic congestion and I’ve been doing something about it.<span> </span>As Chair of the Metro Board I led the effort to get Measure R on the ballot.<span> </span>Passed by a record number of voters, it provides funds to build Expo Light Rail all the way to Santa Monica.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">But there’s more to do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’ll use my professional experience as a preservation and growth management planner to ensure the LUCE’s implementation protects our neighborhoods.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">At Metro I’ll work to keep Expo Light Rail on track and on moving the subway extension westward towards Santa Monica.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’ll continue to work to keep Santa Monica a city of neighborhoods, an environmentally sustainable city….a safe city.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve been endorsed by Santa Monica’s Police and Firefighters, LA County Democratic Party, Santa Monica Democratic Club, LA County League of Conservation Voters.<span> </span>I’m supported by Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, State Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblymember Julia Brownly, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and former State Senator Sheila Kuehl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I ask for your vote so we can work together for a vibrant future.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Pam O’Connor </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span></b> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-transform: uppercase;">Terry O’Day</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> – Incumbent, Two-Year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Appointed Councilmember / Environmentalist</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="mailto:info@terryoday.com">info@terryoday.com</a><span> </span>• <a href="http://www.terryoday.com/">www.terryoday.com</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I moved to Santa Monica almost 15 years ago because I wanted to live in a community that puts people first. As Councilmember, that is what guides every decision I make.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My background in community service, <i>BA</i> in Public Policy from Stanford and <i>MBA</i> from the Anderson School at UCLA, help me make responsible, informed decisions and turn forward-thinking ideas into innovative policies. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As co-founder of successful environmental businesses, I know how to balance budgets and cut waste. That’s essential experience; as I am committed to protecting our police, fire protection and education partnerships. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Using my experience as Executive Director of <i>Environment Now</i>, an organization that fights for environmental justice, and cleaner air and water, I am helping our City raise the national standard for sustainability, human-scale neighborhoods, regional traffic solutions and green jobs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My work with <i>National Coalition for the Homeless</i> and the <i>National Low Income Housing Coalition</i> has prepared me to tackle Santa Monica’s homeless and affordable housing problems in a compassionate, effective way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As a parent, homeowner, and affordable housing activist, I will fight to keep Santa Monica a place where all of our children thrive. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I would be honored to have your vote for City Council.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">JERRY RUBIN</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> – <b>Four-year Seat</b><br />
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Jerry's campaign theme is "I Love Santa Monica" <br />
Jerry's campaign slogan is "Tan, Rested and Ready" <br />
Jerry's campaign promise is to promote community unity <br />
and win-win solutions. <br />
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Jerry's campaign website is: JerryPeaceActivistRubin.com <br />
Call Jerry at: 310-399-1000 <br />
E-mail Jerry at: <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/JerryPeaceActivistRubin@earthlink.net">JerryPeaceActivistRubin@earthlink.net</a></span></u> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span> <div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">TED WINTERER – Four-year Seat</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">My daughter Eleanor is a third-grader at SMASH and my son Steele will start kindergarten there next year, so I’m personally and acutely aware of the funding challenges faced by our school district. I’ve helped with the weekly bake sales at Eleanor’s school; every June I’m out at 7 am on a Saturday setting the annual SMASH carnival; and I’ve unloaded carloads of rummage for our yearly sale. The SMASH PTSA works hard money to provide extra staffing, resources and training, but it’s still not enough, especially in recent years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">On a citywide level, I’ve walked precincts for Measures R and A; served on the district’s parcel tax and bond committee and the Measure A campaign committee; and am on the Steering Committee of CEPS.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Our state government has, quite simply, reneged on its responsibility to adequately fund our public schools at a time when a well-educated workforce is our best hope for remaining economically competitive in the years to come. Fortunately, in Santa Monica we have the resources to provide discretionary funding to offset cuts by Sacramento. As a City Councilmember I will work to ensure continued and enhanced municipal funding for the district; advocate for a greater commitment of redevelopment dollars to the joint Samohi-Civic Center project; and seek contributions to the Education Foundation from development agreements and other projects where appropriate. I believe our city can support our local schools without sacrificing the quality of other municipal services.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I am a Planning Commissioner and former Recreation and Parks Commissioner; former president and current vice president of the Ocean Park Association; and an AYSO coach and referee. I’m deeply committed to our community and its quality of life and believe passionately in preserving and enhancing the excellence of our public schools.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I ask for your vote on November 2<sup>nd</sup>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; text-transform: uppercase;">Jean McNeil Wyner </span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">– Four-year Seat</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Years ago, I was a single Mom raising my son by myself. He had a learning disability which was an extremely stressful problem</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The LA public school system provided virtually nothing for him - or me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">What a difference it would have made if he’d been educated, mentored and supported by our District’s fabulous services for the learning disabled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I highly value education and when elected I will do everything in my power to assist the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. I say this as a resident and as a 25+ year supporter of our District and because my experience with my son. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> However, I have a grave concern about the "non-binding" situation with regard to the 1/2 cent sales tax --- I am positively opposed to proposing a tax and then “talking around it” to sway voters. I want half of that money for the District, <u>unconditionally.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I am also concerned that the residents of Santa Monica do not receive regular reports on how their parcel tax dollars are spent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When elected I promise to listen to and work with you openly to solve our problems - not make new ones. I am not a career politician. I’m seeking a four year term - not a lifetime appointment. I will be your committed and supportive "eyes, ears and voice"!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As your Council member, I will halt reckless spending - we need to be a smarter City with a sensible, tight budget. We need a balance between taxation and funding our superb school District.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I do not represent any special interest groups. I have been a long time community volunteer, serving the City in many capacities. I understand what our</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">residents want and what we need to do. I know Santa Monica and I will work for you!</span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br clear="ALL" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </span> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
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</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;"></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></div>Rebecca Kennerly & Shari Davis, CEPS Co-chairshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04963624544294936439noreply@blogger.com0