A group of Malibu parents are pushing to split Malibu from the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District. According to the group’s organizer, the following must be proved for the state to approve the break up: 1) The new district has a sufficient number of students. 2) The split won’t affect either community’s identity. 3) Buildings and other assets can be split equitably. 4) The split won’t promote racial or ethnic discrimination. 5) The state won’t suffer increased costs of more than 10 percent. 6) Education programs won’t be disrupted. 7) Additional school buildings won’t be needed. 8) The split isn’t intended to affect property values. 9) The split won’t cause a negative impact on the management or status of finances.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 22, 2004. Read the original PDF.