A trio of Malibu schools within the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) are set to reopen Monday after shutting down during this week’s occurrence of the Franklin Fire.
District staff sent a message to Malibu families and school employees Friday afternoon, with SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton announcing the reopening of Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle and Malibu High Schools. The plans are “based on no setbacks with regard to the status of the Franklin fire." The fire was at 30% containment as of 4 p.m. Friday.
Students and staff at Webster Elementary School, which sustained some damage from the fire, will relocate to Malibu Elementary beginning Tuesday “for those families who are ready for their students to return to learning.” Webster damage includes smoke damage inside classrooms that will require repairs and “substantial restoration/cleaning services.”
The district will work through winter break with a plan to reopen Webster on Jan. 6. Staff will contract with an industrial hygienist to help through the process and ensure healthy air quality inside classrooms.
Shelton said that the district keeps Malibu families in their hearts during a period of lost or damaged homes.
“We look forward to continued progress on extinguishing the Franklin Fire so the Malibu community may begin to heal from this traumatic experience,” Shelton added. “We appreciate and thank all firefighters, first responders and law enforcement who are involved. Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other.”