Now that Measure EE, the $300 parcel tax that the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board hoped would inject some needed cash into the public school system, has failed at the ballot box, and SMMUSD Superintendent John Deasy has described the district’s financial situation as “catastrophic,” things aren’t looking too good for teachers and students alike.
But there has been talk that the district may put another measure before the voters during a special election in March, and teacher layoffs, student bus fee hikes and classroom size increases, among other things, may be avoided.
So Q-line wants to know: “Should the voters bail out the school district and ensure the public education system won’t suffer? Or should the school board find a way to tighten their belts during these lean economic times just like everyone?”
Call (310) 285-8106 with your response before Thursday at 5 p.m. We’ll print them in Friday’s paper. Please limit your comments to a minute or less; it might help to think first about the wording of your response.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 21, 2002. Read the original PDF.