Negotiations for Malibu School District Progressing, Officials Say

City of Malibu  and Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Complete draft of key deliverables

By Sam Catanzaro

Negotiations between Santa Monica and Malibu to create an independent Malibu school district are progressing, according to city officials this week.

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and the City of Malibu have completed a draft of one of three important documents necessary in the plan to create two distinct school districts – Malibu Unified and Santa Monica Unified.

At Monday’s Malibu City Council meeting, Deputy City Attorney Christine Wood gave updates on the progress made since November. According to her statement, they have drafted a tentative revenue-sharing agreement, outlined an operational agreement detailing what assistance Malibu will need from Santa Monica’s school district, and anticipate beginning work soon on a joint powers agreement creating a third-party public agency to manage the transition.

Wood added that while progress is being made, it is not happening as quickly as desired. The framework for negotiations was agreed upon in November and aims to submit the proposal to Los Angeles County by May for review by the California Board of Education before appearing on ballots in March 2024. The most optimistic timeline for completion of both respective school districts would be July 1, 2024, though it is expected to take longer than that.

Officials will meet at a mediation session next month on March 21. This week both councils within the cities met in closed sessions to discuss district matters, with Santa Monica voting 4-3 to join their school district in appealing against Los Angeles County Committee decisions. In addition, their recent vote opposed a petition requiring school trustees be elected by district instead of at large according to their current Charter system; guaranteeing elected board members ties with either Santa Monica or Malibu.

in News
Related Posts

Homeless Suspect Attacks Man in Palisades Park For Video Recording

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

The Suspect Was Taken Into Custody For Felony Battery, Robbery, and Elder Abuse On Tuesday, Sept. 19, at approximately 3:30...

Topanga Actors Company Performing Broadway Play This Weekend

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Free and Open Seating Will Be Available Free and open seating will be available for the Topanga Actors Company’s stage...

Another Local Retailer Surrounding Palisades Village Closes Its Doors

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Simultaneously, a Series of Luxurious International Clothing Brands Have Set up Shop in the Outlet Mall By Zach Armstrong Within...

L.A. Times Declares Santa Monica Restaurant as Having “Best Grilled Cheese in the Universe”

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Included Is Crispy Gruyère Cheese, “Like a Nutty, Sharp Cracker” By Zach Armstrong The “croque Matthieu”, featured on the bar...

Robert DeNiro’s Malibu Restaurant is Facing Multiple Sexual Harassment Lawsuits

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

The Dining Spot is Known for Being Popular Among Big Celebrities By Zach Armstrong Nobu Malibu, a luxurious Malibu dining...

Lemonade Stand Pop-up Coming to Palisades Village

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Complimentary Lemonade and Limited-Edition Merchandise Provided By Zach Armstrong Coterie, the baby care brand selling diapers, baby wipes and more,...

Grammy-Winning Jazz Icon to Perform at Santa Monica Performing Arts Center, Mentor SMC Students

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Clarke’s Impressive Body of Work Includes 70 Film and Television Scores, Leading To Three Emmy Nominations and a BMI Award...

Mountaintop Event of Lights, Music and Food Coming to Topanga

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Featured Musicians Have Been in Productions Such as Star Wars, Frozen and Handmaid’s Tale Immerse yourself in an evening filled...

50th Anniversary Celebration Event Coming for Palisades Council

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

The Event Will Feature Music, Desserts and Specialty Coffees By Zach Armstrong The Pacific Palisades Community Council will celebrate its...

Popular YouTube and TikTok User Satirizes Palisadian Mothers

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

The Videos Have Now Garnered at Least 200,000 Views Combined Between the Platforms By Zach Armstrong Viral videos on Tik...

SMMUSD Assistant Superintendent Passes Away at 46

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

She Dedicated Six Years to SMMUSD in Her Current Role Dr. Jacqueline Mora, the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at...

New Art Gallery Open at Malibu City Hall

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

The Gallery Shows Realistic Landscapes and Seascapes By Zach Armstrong The Malibu Arts Commission is presenting Vistas by Wes Van...

Santa Monica Serial Killer Charged in Homicide of Cellmate

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

The Man Pleaded Guilty Last Year in the Murder of Several Victims Including Three in Santa Monica By Zach Armstrong...

NBA All-Star Lists $8.5M Venice Mansion

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

The Sleek Gray Color-Schemed Home Features Five Bedrooms and 5.5 Bathrooms. As he embarks on his inaugural season with the...

Developer to Propose Five Story Mixed-Use Project Across Metro Terminus

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

The Project Would Include 6,883 Square Feet of Ground Floor Commercial Space By Zach Armstrong Local real estate developer Worthe...