Proposed charter amendment seeks $6 million annually for school district
CITY HALL — A group of school supporters forced City Hall’s hand Tuesday by pushing for a measure on the fall ballot that, if passed, would mandate $6 million in public money be given to the school district every year.
Representatives from the “Community for Excellent Public Schools” filed a proposal to amend the Santa Monica charter with City Clerk Maria Stewart. The amendment would require a portion of City Hall’s general fund be funneled directly into the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District indefinitely.
The grassroots community organization, also known as CEPS, will have to get 15 percent of Santa Monica voters — about 8,250 people — to sign a petition by May to get the measure on the November ballot.
But school supporters hope it doesn’t come to that. The amendment proposal serves as a warning to City Council members: Either establish a permanent funding source for the school district, or let voters decide how City Hall’s money should be spent.
“We will swing into aggressive signature mode,” said Rebecca Kennerly, a CEPS spokesperson. “We have until May... [But] I don’t think anyone is looking forward to an election or a campaign.”
What school supporters call a nudge or warning, politicians consider a threat.
“I think it is divisive,” said City Councilman Herb Katz. “I don’t think you pass a charter amendment where it can’t be changed. I don’t like that they are holding it over our heads and are forcing our hand.”
Mayor Richard Bloom agrees. “I’m very concerned about any measure that restricts the economic flexibility of the city,” he said. “The city of Santa Monica is being mandated that city revenue be spent outside of our jurisdiction, and that’s troublesome to me.”
The measure would require the city to provide a minimum of $6 million in annual revenues to the school district, or about 4 percent of designated general funds, whichever is greater. Also, funding to the district would be modestly increased each year — but only when the city’s revenues grow by at least 3.5 percent.
Last year’s contribution to the district from City Hall was $5.25 million — its regular $3 million annual contribution, plus $2.25 million in one-time funds. City Hall also doled out one-time funds above and beyond its annual contribution in previous years, despite its own budget problems.
The SMMUSD faced a $13 million budget shortfall last year but was able to close the gap through personnel cuts and new revenue sources, such as the parcel tax, which will bring in $6.5 million annually over the next six years.
But with federal and state funding uncertain, school supporters are afraid more cuts will need to be made in the future and, more importantly, new programs will never see the light of day. And as costs continue to increase, more funding will be necessary, school supporters say.
“We believe this is a very good addition to the city’s charter,” says CEPS co-chair Louise Jaffe. “Over time it will increase school funding, but just as importantly, it will provide stability and predictability for both the schools and the city government, without raising taxes or jeopardizing current city and social services.”
And with a more than $350 million annual budget, school supporters believe City Hall can afford to continue its financial commitment to the district.
“We live in a very prosperous city, and it has the resources,” CEPS co-chair Shari Davis said. “This measure would represent a small portion of city funds while greatly benefiting our schools.”
In recent weeks, Santa Monica City Council members have been looking for ways to provide ongoing stable funding to education. And school supporters hope the charter amendment will expedite what could be a long, drawn-out decision-making process.
“We applaud the council’s efforts to support education,” says Ralph Mechur, CEPS steering committee member. “We look forward to working with them to find a long-term solution and hope our charter amendment will be seen as a blueprint for a solution that can work for everyone.”
It was suggested last month that City Hall, weary of a developing pattern of school supporters marching in front of the Council and asking for more cash every year, could purchase or rent nearly two dozen district properties. Under the proposed plan, schools would earn millions of dollars while local officials would have an opportunity to build more underground parking, create open space and make other improvements that could benefit greater Santa Monica.
It’s a better solution than forcing local government to earmark a portion of its annual revenues for schools, officials said.
And although Councilman Katz, who proposed the idea, wants to continue discussing funding options, Mayor Bloom said the council already is doing what it can.
“I don’t think anything needs to be worked out,” he said, adding he’ll read the amendment and consider it carefully. “The City Council has taken the lead on education funding. We’ve done it in a responsible way, and I have every confidence that the council and future councils will continue to do that.
“It is fiscally inappropriate to allocate millions of additional funding without providing a new revenue source,” he added.
Councilman Kevin McKeown, who hasn’t read the amendment, also believes a new revenue source is the responsible way to fund local schools.
“There aren’t any more pockets to be taken from,” he said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 7, 2004. Read the original PDF.