> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Measure imperative for kids’ education
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/measure-imperative-for-kids-education-editor/
- Published: 2003-05-29T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:14:29.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Malibu, #archive-import

*By Miriam Billington McKinley Elementary School mom*

As my family drove home tonight from what might have been the last-ever instrumental music concert at our elementary school, we passed a huge placard that told us to vote against the upcoming school funding measure. I looked up the “No” Web site and was flummoxed by the logic spelled out there. First they say that Measure S will hurt the poor. Won’t the poor children be hurt the most when their instrumental music, physical education staff, library services, nurses, support staff, custodians and learning specialists are taken away? They say that the city councils have chosen not to pri-oritize education, which is false. They have given millions. They say the school district’s problems come from mismanaging its budget, which is false. It’s the state that has cut us at the knees. They say that we refuse to do a district-wide fundraiser. Not only does every school raise funds to provide programs, but the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation is in the process of raising a $15 million endowment to insure the future of arts in our schools.

Please remember that to pass Measure S we will need two “Yes” votes for every “No.” Please get out there and vote on June 3 and bring your neighbors and friends. The “No” campaign is politically motivated and driven by misconceptions. The truth of the matter is that if this measure fails, our school district will be poised to become a shell of what it is now. Our two beautiful cities and all our incredible children deserve better.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 29, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052903.pdf?ref=smdp.com)