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# Moratorium means more students
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/moratorium-means-more-students-editor/
- Published: 2007-02-16T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:04:14.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Malibu, #archive-import

*By Dr. Lisette Bauersachs*

One must learn about history so as not to repeat the same old mistakes. In 1999, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District issued 500 permits to non-residents as a quick fix to a huge budget crisis. Eight years later, many of us city residents are outraged to learn that we are currently subsidizing 1,700 current out-of-district students from Los Angeles and surrounding cities. The so-called “moratorium” on these permits must be reviewed. During this alleged moratorium period, more than 100 out-of-district permits were issued last year by the previous superintendent. Apparently, a lesson in dictionary use is now required. I thought a moratorium meant zero permits. That is not the case.

Unless more residents speak up, I fear that the planned district discussions on the possible budget reductions due to a decline in enrollment will quickly turn into another 100 permits being issued. Smaller is better. We need to stop issuing these permits and reclaim our community’s schools.

Lincoln Middle School currently has (physical education) classes of 57 students. That directly impacts my eighth grader at Lincoln. Personally, this is an outrage, given the health implications and hindered learning environment. When do we, as a responsible school district, embrace the idea that both smaller classes and smaller school campus enrollment is best for our children?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 16, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021607.pdf?ref=smdp.com)