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# School Board Candidate Answers on Budget Cuts and Splitting Santa Monica High
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/103002-story-20021030-6/
- Published: 2002-10-30T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:50:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Malibu, #archive-import

campaigning for increased funding from private donors and of course fundraisers. 2\. If you had to choose, which extracurricular activities or sports programs would you eliminate because of budget constraints?

It is very difficult to choose at this point what extracurricular activities or sports program to cut because all students connect with one or the other. One thing I would do and that is to see what the staff would bring forth as recommendations, and take a look at the total picture. 3\. What is your position on separating Santa Monica High School into six smaller schools?

Separating Santa Monica High School into six smaller schools would definitely help with class size reduction and also it would help with the achievement gap whereby our young people would be able to have that one on one help that they need to bring them up to standard — THAT PUSH FROM THE BOTTOM TO CLOSE THE GAP! 4\. The Santa Monica Malibu school district has been accused of unfairly expelling and suspending minority students. How would you address this issue if you were on the school board?

In reviewing the board’s position on expulsion and suspension of students because they set the governing policies, each school does have its own discipline practices and I would take a closer look at what they have instituted. If the policies they have put into practice do not seem fair I would have each principal take another look at their polices and hold them accountable to the parents. Compare date of suspension/expulsion of students of color from each school and if an over abundance meet with parents, staff and students to work out solutions. 5\. The district recently signed contracts with several fast food restaurants for thousands of dollars that will help fund various programs, including sports. Do you support fast food being served to students at the high school?

Given the fact that at Santa Monica High School our young people can go off campus and will buy fast food anyway but, I do support fast foods that are nutritionally sound. Schools do plan foods for enjoyment. 6\. Why should we vote for you? What skills and experience make you a better candidate than the others?

I feel that all my experience as a volunteer at Santa Monica High School and my connection with parents/staff have uniquely prepared me to serve on the SMMUSD Board. I bring a deeply held passion for all students and I am a product of the Santa Monica Malibu School District as well as my son. I also have been a Santa Monica resident for over 57 years.

Name: Ann Cochran. Political affiliation: Democrat. Profession: Administrative assistant (retired). Alternative career: Elementary school teacher. Favorite CD and movie: “Amazing Grace” by Aretha Franklin and “Preacher's Wife.” Favorite thing about living in Santa Monica? My church, the schools, close to the beach, and weather. Have you ever been arrested? No. Have you ever declared bankruptcy or had financial insolvency issues? No. Endorsed by: My family, my pastor, Rev, Terry T. Tapley, the Pastor's of FAME Santa Monica (Rev. Ronald Williams), Greater Morning Star Baptist Church (Rev. Emmett Hinter) and Mt. Hermon Baptist Church (Rev. Edward Bell).

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 30, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/103002.pdf?ref=smdp.com)