> ## 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. # School board candidates pledge more transparency - URL: https://www.smdp.com/school-board-candidates-pledge-more-transparency/ - Published: 2008-09-24T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T21:05:04.000Z - Author: Melody Hanatani - Tags: Government & Politics, Malibu, #archive-import *Candidates hope to start a new era of openness SHOULD THE COUNCIL BE A SCHOOL BOARD?* BUNDY CAMPUS The focus of a candidates forum here Monday night might have been on education, but in light of the recent turbulence in the school district, it was only natural the theme would center on change and healing. Two educational advocacy groups — Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) and Leadership Effectiveness Accountability Direction (LEAD) — hosted separate political discussions for both the Board of Education and City Council candidates. The forum was the first co-hosted by the two organizations since LEAD formed this summer in response to issues of accountability and transparency in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. “I’m hoping the candidates can look back on the last two years and really see areas where they could’ve taken a stronger leadership role and commit to doing that in the future,” Debbie Mulvaney, the co-chair of LEAD’s organizing committee, said. Both LEAD and CEPS are expected to make their endorsements in the next week based on the candidates forum. The topics at the forum encompassed everything from funding to facilities to even the policy for out-of-district permits. But the star of the show came out of concerns that have been raised repeatedly the past few years about the need for openness and repaired trust between school officials and parents. The candidates all essentially agreed there needs to be more leadership and transparency on the school board, adding that one solution would be better communication between the administration and the community. Chris Bley, a graduate of the district who now teaches at the Brentwood School, said there needs to be a new way of thinking on the board. “The special education issue has brought that to the forefront,” Bley said. Newcomer Ben Allen, who served as a University of California student regent, added that the board could do more in terms of reaching out to the community by attending City Council meetings in both Santa Monica and Malibu as well as gatherings by parent organizations. “It’s not just when there’s a crisis, but when things are (also) going well,” Allen said. Incumbent Maria Leon-Vazquez pointed out that communication has been a weak point in the district because there hasn’t been a person formally charged with that responsibility. Intertwined in the issues of accountability and transparency is special education, which became a hot topic in educational circles last year after a group of parents accused the district of fostering a culture of intimidation. The three incumbents — Jose Escarce, Leon-Vazquez and Ralph Mechur — all pointed out that the board has jump-started the process toward change, which includes an outright moratorium on all confidentiality clauses in student education plans as well as hiring a consultant to lead the way toward healing. “We’re all working together to solve the problem and doing what we can for the kids,” Mechur, who is running unopposed for a two-year seat and will automatically be appointed, said. The high turnover in the superintendent position has also been an area of concern. Former Superintendent John Deasy left the district to head Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland after a few years on the job and was replaced by Dianne Talarico, who also resigned in the summer after two years. Tim Cuneo has been serving in the interim and will do so until the new school board launches a search after the elections. Escarce pointed out that the role of superintendent is an “incredibly hard job” and stressed that the new chief will have to be a strong leader capable of conveying their message. “They will need to hire staff who share that vision,” he said. When the City Council decided in 2007 to hold back on half a million dollars of funding if the district didn’t resolve issues in special education, there were questions raised as to whether it overstepped its bounds. The money has yet to be released. The candidates for the City Council say they believe the right decision was eventually made. “Throwing money into the problem won’t make it go away,” John Bleakly, a council candidate, said. He added that it’s just good business sense to know how the money is being used. The candidates — with the exception of Jon Louis Mann — agreed that City Hall should continue its annual funding to the district, some adding they were open to make it a permanent source of money for the schools. Mann said there needs to be more streamlining to make sure money and services are being used more efficiently. Ted Winterer, an Ocean Park activist who also serves on the Recreation and Parks Commission, said he would support increasing funding but to also split the amount of money that the district receives, making half of it permanent and the other discretionary. The council has yet to hear a formal presentation from school officials about the changes that have been made since Talarico requested more time in the spring. “We want to hear back from the administration and school board to make sure appropriate changes take place,” Mayor Pro Tem Richard Bloom said. “Parents have the right not to feel intimidated in the school environment.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092408.pdf?ref=smdp.com)