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# The special interests behind Measure S are our children
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-special-interests-behind-measure-s-are-our-children/
- Published: 2003-05-16T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:08:55.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Malibu, #archive-import

*By Guest Commentary by Harley Frankel*

As co-chairman of the Save Our Schools sub-committee that crafted Measure S, I was appalled by Bill Bauer’s fictitious account of what transpired during our committee deliberations (Santa Monica Daily Press, May 9.).

The SOS committee — a broad cross-section of citizens representing every sector of Santa Monica and Malibu — had only one consideration in our decision as to what method of finance to put before the voters to save our schools: Finding the most balanced and legally sound measure to provide our local schools the funds they so urgently need.

Measure S is just that. The “square footage” parcel tax approach touted by Bauer was carefully examined by the SOS committee. While appealing at first blush, a closer look revealed that the vast majority of residents in Santa Monica and Malibu would pay more under a square footage tax than under Measure S.

In fact, 85 percent of renters, who represent most low-income residents in our city, would pay more under Bauer’s preferred scheme. That is the reason it was overwhelmingly rejected by the SOS committee.

Our school district is very limited in its options for raising local funds. Measure S is not only legally sound, but the fairest approach to immediately provide our schools with the funds they so desperately need.

Measure S will cost property owners a mere $18.75 a month. Resident homeowners 65 and older — many of whom must get by on limited fixed incomes — are eligible for an exemption under this measure.

Homeowners have a great deal at stake in the passage of Measure S, whether or not they have children in public schools. A recent Forbes analysis of property values found that home values vary dramatically depending upon the quality of a region’s schools — a common sense connection, indeed.

A “no” vote on Measure S sends the chilling message to the real estate community that high quality schools are not a reality here, and would have a diminishing effect on property values. Investing in the quality of our schools is one of the best investments any community can make.

Measure S protects that investment by requiring strict taxpayer accountability, ensuring the new funds go where they are needed most. Funds must be deposited into a separate account with annual independent audits made available to the public.

Measure S will help save our excellent schools from unprecedented state budget cuts. Because the state is slashing education funding, Santa Monica- Malibu schools are being forced to make at least $13 million in budget cuts.

This is the most severe funding crisis in our school district’s history.

Measure S will provide approximately $6.5 million to our schools annually for six years, restoring about half of the money we’re losing from the state.

The situation is dire. Without the immediate infusion of funds generated by Measure S, our schools will be devastated. We’ll lose 91 excellent teachers, class size will increase dramatically, elementary school music programs and pre-school programs for low-and moderate-income children will be eliminated, and advanced placement courses for high school students will be cut back.

School nurses, librarians and custodians — the critical support that ensures a healthy and enriching learning environment for our students — will be laid off. Indeed, the Board of Education has already adopted these and other cuts, and they will go into effect July 1, unless we pass Measure S.

The impact will be long-term and it will be felt by all of our children.

A large, bi-partisan coalition — the most diverse coalition in our city’s political history — is working to pass Measure S. The Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association, the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, the League of Women Voters, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Police Activities League, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, labor groups, renters and homeowners and many others all urge a “yes” vote on Measure S.

The state has abandoned our schools and our children. It’s up to us to get them through this crisis. That’s what Measure S is all about. (Harley Frankel is the co-chairman of the Save Our Schools sub-committee.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 16, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/051603.pdf?ref=smdp.com)