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# No. 3: city hall forced into $6 million schools contribution
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/no-3-city-hall-forced-into-6-million-schools-contribution/
- Published: 2004-12-31T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:55:15.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Malibu, #archive-import

A group of local school supporters in January forced City Hall’s hand by pushing for a measure on the fall ballot that, if passed, would have mandated $6 million in public money to be given to the school district every year.

The grassroots community organization, known as Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS), filed a proposal to amend the Santa Monica charter which would have required a portion of City Hall’s general fund be funneled directly into the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District indefinitely.

It was a ultimatum of sorts: Either establish a permanent funding source for the cash-strapped district, or let voters decide how City Hall’s money should be spent. Elected leaders considered it a threat and some of them called the group a bunch of “schoolyard bullies.” Council members didn’t like the fact that some of the money they control would be taken away and said during difficult budget years, city services and police and fire services may have to be cut as a result.

However, after six months of negotiation, CEPS abandoned their campaign for the unprecedented amendment after elected officials narrowly agreed to a compromise. The agreement, which was hashed out behind closed doors, mandates that City Hall give local schools at least $6 million annually for the next five years, and significantly more if the economy blossoms. The charter amendment would have lasted indefinitely and likely forced larger donations.

The deal has yet to be inked, however. Politicians and school supporters are confident that both sides will hold up their ends of the bargain.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/123104-09_01.jpg)

school supporters filed a petition at City Hall in January to amend the city’s charter. (Photo: File photo Local)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/123104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)