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# School board candidate on Prop EE parcel tax and budget cuts
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/103002-story-20021030/
- Published: 2002-10-30T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T00:49:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Malibu, #archive-import

appropriated according to budget, and that the books are balanced. The district has done an excellent job in this over the last few years and has a fiscal oversight committee that ensures this goal is met. Given the state budget cuts, the district can continue work to raise revenue to offset these cuts through putting the parcel tax measure on the ballot (Prop EE), seeking additional funding from the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu, continuing to apply for grants and create partnerships that bring additional resources to the district. They can also plan ahead for any cuts they might have to make should these revenue streams not materialize. I think one excellent component of Prop EE is that it includes stringent fiscal accountability for how all of this additional revenue will be spent. 2\. If you had to choose, which extra curricular activities or sports programs would you eliminate because of budget constraints?

Many extra-curricular programs are already funded in part or in whole by parents. I would work hard to seek additional revenue through grants, partnerships or donations in order to avoid cuts to these programs that I believe help to support student achievement. I would prefer to focus cuts in areas that are as far removed from student achievement and activity as possible. 3\. What is your position on separating Santa Monica High School into six smaller schools?

I think it is an excellent idea. As a key member of the strategic planning design team, I heard complaints and concerns about the size of Santa Monica High School from a large cross-section of the community: students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators and community activists. In particular, students feel that there is too little connection with adults at the school. This is substantiated by a survey of the school that was done several years ago. Breaking up the school into six smaller schools should give teachers the opportunity to teach to and get to know a smaller number of students and provide more individualized attention and instruction. Breaking the high school into smaller schools may also provide an exciting opportunity to offer some alternative types of programs as well. For instance a real, substantial continuation of the Spanish language immersion academy experience, or a continuation of an alternative education after SMASH. 4\. The Santa Monica Malibu school district has been accused of unfairly expelling and suspending students that are minorities. How would you address this issue if you were on the school board?

The issue that was raised in particular is a concern that disciplinary action has been different and typically harsher for students of color than for white students. As a board member I would want to see data collected on disciplinary measures taken for students at every school and monitor how schools are disciplining students to ensure that there is equity and no special favoritism. I also believe that we need to provide more training, support and assistance for administrators in how to intervene appropriately and hopefully not have to rely so much on bringing in the police unless personal safety or criminal behavior is the issue. Finally, it’s important to use suspensions and expulsion as a last resort. Often suspension results in students who are unsupervised at home during school hours being on the street and potentially getting into more trouble. We need to look at some alternative models elsewhere in the country and see if there are better 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?

I think it is a shame that we have to rely so much on these types of arrangements to support programs like sports that are provided for by the school budget in other states and school districts outside of California. The real issue here is the substantial under-funding of schools in California (we are the 49th out of 50 in terms of student-teacher ratio and student-counselor ratio) and the need to raise money for key programs through all types of agreements. I would like to see the school serve healthy food, and students have a choice of healthy food. 6\. Why should we vote for you? What skills and experience make you a better candidate than the others?

There are four seats up for election. I believe that my work and school district experience, combined with my qualifications and skills in working with others make me an excellent candidate for one of those four seats. I have experience managing budgets and projects with profit and loss accountability. I have run programs, recruited and hired staff, run staff development training and I know the school district intimately. I follow current education policies and practices closely. I listen well and am a thoughtful, collaborative team player who will work hard to do what is right for all children in our district.

Name: Emily Bloomfield. Political affiliation: Democrat. Profession: Administrator/Instructor. Alternative career: A physician. Favorite CD and movie: “Innervisions” by Stevie Wonder and “Cinema Paradiso.” My favorite book: “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck. Favorite thing about living here: The diversity of the people. Have you ever been arrested? No. Have you ever declared bankruptcy or had financial insolvency issues? No. Endorsed by: SMMCTA, SEIU, Santa Monica Democratic Club, Malibu Democratic Club, L.A. County Democratic Committee, National Womens Political Caucus, SMRR, Coalition to Protect the Living Wage, Hon. Fran Pavley, school board members Julia Brownley, Tom Pratt and Jose Escarce, and many other individual endorsements.

*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)