With all of the issues that spotlight the negative aspects of living and doing business in Santa Monica, it’s important to remember that it’s the community that makes it so unique. Nowhere is that more apparent than the widespread support of the public school system, which is nothing short of remarkable.
Over the past several years, tens of millions of dollars have been infused into the Santa Monica-Malibu School District, with much of the effort spearheaded by a broad base of community members — parents, property owners and renters. They come from all socio-economic levels, ethnicities and income categories. Even more admirable is that the support for our public schools crosses all political lines, which is what typically divides the community. Understanding that a strong public school system is crucial to a successful city and society, community members routinely put aside their political differences to share that common goal.
All of this is a good thing, for never has there been a time when it’s been more important for a community to take action on its commitment and core values in education. As the state government continues to slash education funding, Santa Monica and Malibu schools have been able to achieve great successes, even as others throughout California continue to struggle.
A recent RAND Corp. study rated California’s commitment to education as a D, with an F in academic achievement and a C-minus in funding. Schools throughout the state perform poorly in academic achievement, fully credentialed teachers, less-than-adequate facilities, funding and graduation rates.
But that’s not the case here, where student achievement is up; improvements have been realized at nearly every grade level in test scores and grade point averages. While California public schools rank last in English and second-to-last in math nationwide, the Santa Monica-Malibu district is home to two of the top 300 high schools in the country, with a 98-percent graduation rate.
B7F, That’s because the local government and the local community have taken matters into their own hands. About $16 million is funneled into the school district each year through a variety of sources — from City Hall’s $6 million annual commitment down to the bake sales organized by local parents. Our PTAs are some of the strongest and well organized in the country.
That level of monetary commitment wouldn’t happen if there weren’t people pushing for it. Take, for example, Community for Excellent Public Schools,” also known as “CEPS.” It’s a group of dedicated community members that seems to get more focused about its commitment to the local school district as its economic conditions worsen.
It was that group which forced City Hall to up its monetary contribution by millions of dollars each year. As the school district’s costs continued to increase and the state and federal government’s financial commitment to education decreased, CEPS found itself going to the City Council every year for more money — and each year the council bucked up. But school supporters wanted a guaranteed amount, and if the City Council wasn’t going to go for that, the group was ready to force an election to ensure that a dedicated portion of money from the general fund was committed to schools. In the end, the two sides managed to reach a compromise and are now in year two of a five-year contract worth at least $21 million to the district.
In recent years, the group also has thrown its power behind campaigns in support of parcel taxes that currently fund the district, rallied for teachers who were threatened with lay-offs and gotten high-profile community members like singer-songwriter Jackson Browne to perform for fund-raisers.
And then there is the Education Foundation. For more than two decades, the quiet, yet determined nonprofit organization has raised millions of dollars for the district. It is focused on achievement, and dedicated to preserving, supporting and enhancing a comprehensive range of programs in all 16 schools in Santa Monica and Malibu.
For the Arts, a campaign of the foundation, was set up by two local parents a few years ago. For The Arts’ goal is to build a $15 million endowment to support dance, visual arts, music and drama in local schools. Since its inception, it has raised more than $1.5 million and reintroduced basic programs like music and choir into the elementary and middle schools.
While it takes major energy to raise that kind of money through soliciting and organizing fund-raising events, it helps that the groups have the backing of prominent community members who have the connections and cash to help.
There are hundreds of education foundations throughout California and thousands throughout the country, but few of them have endowments. We applaud all those who are behind the fund-raising efforts and take the time from their lives to make a difference for our children and our community.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 19, 2006. Read the original PDF.