By Nicole Picard
I had the pleasure of making a very public appearance during the SMMUSD board interviews for the vacant school board position after Emily Bloomfield’s unexpected resignation. I answered questions on paper and in person as did (Ralph) Mechur in his turn and after that took place, the school board’s majority vote was to place Mr. Mechur in the position. I was disappointed that I wasn’t chosen but I have to say that if there was a better candidate than I, Ralph was the person to do the job well, which he has. There was no Malibu candidate there, no Malibu prospect who even was interested to my knowledge …. Hindsight is always 20/20 and if the Malibu constituency has regrets so be it. Let’s put that behind us. Let’s look toward our children’s future.
Measure R has nothing to do with (Measure) BB bond monies and the entire school district should understand this. Let’s not confuse issues when such an important vote is at hand. Malibu school supporters and voters, like Santa Monica’s, have to understand that if the renewal of these parcel taxes by way of the Measure R vote isn’t voted for in two-thirds majority, then they are sending our school children into a deep, dark place of public school depravity. No nurses, no custodians, no arts, no music, no librarians and no teachers to fulfill our public school’s enrollment and it could be worse than my description. A very scary option to consider in comparing what we as a district can achieve if we have the two-thirds vote. This is the time to rise up and support the vote. This is no time to confuse issues.
Don’t the students in Malibu deserve the same as what the Santa Monica students deserve? I’m not talking about the BB capital improvement money that will help upgrade all district schools. I’m talking about the bare necessities of public school education. If we have great new buildings, what will it mean if the students within them are not provided the proper academic and enrichment programs to support them? What can the Malibu school children benefit by voters not supporting this?
At this point and time all I can do is give thanks to the school board for making all the right decisions and for placing this on the Feb. 5 ballot. For all Malibu-Santa Monica public school students and their families I want you to know, you have my yes vote for Measure R.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 30, 2008. Read the original PDF.