This past week, Q-line asked: Is it time for Malibu to have its own school district? Why or why not?
Here are your responses: ✆ “For the past 100 years, all of the Bayside cities between Palos Verdes and Malibu have had their own school districts. Since Malibu is now a city whose residential community, for the most part, are wealthy professional individuals who pay high property taxes and are also willing to subsidize the Malibu school district, should have that privilege. In my opinion, a split from the Santa Monica school district should be mandatory, and not politically debatable.” ✆ “I think this would be a good idea. My son goes to Santa Monica schools and I think it’s best for Malibu to split from the school district here.” ✆ “I think every home with children should be its own school district and tax itself for teaching at home. If you breed ‘em, you feed ‘em and teach them yourself.” ✆ “What a wonderful idea! It could-n’t happen soon enough. Since this arrangement is now illegal, why should it take years to get out of it? Santa Monica should stop funding Malibu schools right now.” ✆ “I definitely support Malibu separating from Santa Monica. They have been, for too long, taking advantage of us and our tax dollars. Now, with this recent gift policy, they are unwilling to share the limited amount of fundraising dollars with us. This only goes to show they are undeserving of all the help we have been giving them over the years.” ✆ “I am a parent in the Santa Monica school district. I do believe it is time for Malibu to vigorously explore developing an Independent district. I have long felt they do not have a philosophical congruity with some of the policies of its southern neighbors. They don’t contribute commiserate with their income to the district as a whole. They have been reluctant to support measures that were passed by a narrow margin to give more funding for the schools. They are not that interested in participating in some of the policies the district is looking at to bring more equality to the schools. It is time for them to be on their own. I wish them the best.” ✆ “Malibu has been a city for many years and has had its own schools as well. It would seem to me, it’s time for it to have its own school district.” ✆ “Malibu should break away from Santa Monica. This way, Malibu can save itself from Santa Monica City Hall and Santa Monica city policies that have ruined the great City of Santa Monica.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 14, 2004. Read the original PDF.