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

Changes Coming to Pacific Palisades Intersection to Ease Traffic Congestion

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Two changes coming to intersection of Chautauqua and PCH in late April Residents of Pacific Palisades can expect changes to...

Southern California Food Banks Prepare for Increased Need Amid Rising Costs and Benefit Cuts

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Local food banks urge community support as Southern Californians face heightened food insecurity Local food banks in Southern California are...

Mudslide Displaces Family of 8 and Elderly Neighbor in Pacific Palisades

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

No injuries reported in Sunday evening incident By Sam Catanzaro A family of eight and a neighbor were displaced from...

Low Interest Rates and Tax Changes Hit L.A. Office Sales Hard

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Transfer tax and low interest rates contributing to decline in L.A. office sales By Dolores Quintana In the city of...

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Pacific Palisades Real Estate Deal Fall Through Again

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

Newlyweds cancel escrow on $64 million Pacific Palisades estate, continue search in Holmby Hills By Dolores Quintana If you can...

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Rejects Extension of Residential Tenant Protections

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

County Board of Supervisors votes down measure affecting landlords in unincorporated areas. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted...

California Appeals Court Delivers Victory for Uber and Lyft, Allowing Independent Contractor Status for Drivers

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness to Restructure Operations

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Non-profit organization to phase out fiscal operations and community engagement by 2023, remaining funds to be managed by The People...

Actor Dick Van Dyke, 97, Crashes Car Into Wall on Slick Malibu Road

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirms moderate injuries sustained in accident attributed to rain-soaked roads Actor Dick Van Dyke was...

Do You Think Elected Officials Should Help Keep Outdoor Dining Options Available for Restaurants? Take Our Survey and Share Your Thoughts

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the way we live our lives, and one of the most significant impacts has been...

The Draycott in Pacific Palisades to Host Chateau Reignac Wine Dinner

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

March 29 event will feature five-course dinner paired with select wines from the Bordeaux region  The Draycott in Pacific Palisades...

Proposed Bill AB 1217 Could Offer Much-Needed Relief to California Restaurants Facing New Fees and Restrictions on Outdoor Dining

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

Legislation would preempt local ordinances and preserve regulatory flexibility for struggling neighborhood restaurants By Sam Catanzaro A new bill proposed...

National Charity League Westside Chapter Empowers Young Women With Panel Discussion at the Brentwood Country Club

March 22, 2023

March 22, 2023

March 12 panel featured panelists representing the fields of education, medicine, entrepreneurship, marketing and sports. The National Charity League Westside...