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# Letter: Why I voted yes on Measure S for Santa Monica schools
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/052903-story-20030529-2/
- Published: 2003-05-29T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:14:44.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Malibu, #archive-import

*By Barbara Inatsugu Past president, League of Women Voters of Santa Monica*

I did something important this morning. I voted YES on Measure S. I voted for our schools. I voted for our kids. I voted for our democratic way of government. I voted.

I will be in Sacramento on June 3, election day for Measure S. I will be lobbying legislators directly on issues related to the state budget, accountability, the importance of accurate data for research and intervention programs, and the impacts they have on cities and school districts. But that is more long-term.

So I cast my absentee ballot today. Measure S is now. Voting yes on Measure S is one of the few ways I as a voting citizen can help assure an ongoing, stable source of revenue for “my” local school district. It is one of the few ways I can take matters into my own hands while legislators in Sacramento continue to argue among themselves and continue to spar with the governor.

Will Measure S resolve the school district’s revenue shortfall? Will it generate enough money to hire back all the teachers, restore all the programs, bring back all laid-off classified staff? Will it generate enough money to support the quality of schools we, as Santa Monica and Malibu residents want for our children? No, of course not and no one claims it will.

Look carefully, listen carefully. Measure S is an essential part of a multi-prong approach to making sure our schools remain strong.

Look carefully, listen carefully. Voting YES on S is good for homeowners, renters and business alike. It serves not only our students and community in general, but specifically serves our home values and our business climate. We became homeowners in Santa Monica 20 years ago because of the excellent reputation of our local public schools. A yes vote is a vote for the desirable quality of life Santa Monica and Malibu are known for.

Look carefully, listen carefully. Don’t be distracted by the empty arguments of perennial gadflies who put forward agendas of convoluted thought.

Look carefully, listen carefully, think clearly. It takes two-thirds of the vote to win.

Look carefully, listen carefully, think clearly. Every vote counts, your vote counts.

Don’t let someone else speak for you. Use your own voice. Speak out. Vote yes on S.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 29, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052903.pdf?ref=smdp.com)