S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
June 9 - June 15, 2023 Volume CXCVII, Issue 198
INSIDE
Former Waymo CEO Purchases Santa Monica Canyon Home PAGE 6
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Appoints A New Superintendent The Appointment Will Be Effective July 1 In a late afternoon press release, The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education officially announced the appointment of Antonio M. Shelton, Ed.D., as the new superintendent, effective July 1, 2023. The decision was made during the regular meeting on June 1, following an extensive national search that spanned several months. Dr. Shelton brings with him an impressive 23 years of experience in education, including 18 years in various administrative roles. It goes on the state that Dr. Shelton has been part of the SMMUSD community for the past year, serving as the executive director of secondary schools. Prior to that, he held the position of lead principal at Santa Monica High School for six years. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Shelton has also been involved in teaching instructional improvement for the doctorate program in educational leadership at the University of Southern California (USC). Additionally, it states that Dr. Shelton is known for his intelligence and innovative leadership style and is dedicated to improving
educational outcomes for students. He possesses a deep understanding of the challenges facing TK-12 public education and is committed to finding creative solutions that consider diverse perspectives while prioritizing the needs of all students. Dr. Shelton’s leadership approach emphasizes care, compassion, and fostering a collaborative learning environment where students and staff can reach their full potential. During his tenure as executive director, Dr. Shelton has provided consistent support, mentoring, and coaching to principals as they work towards realizing the district’s vision and goals. He has also demonstrated expertise in overseeing comprehensive budgets and is committed to sound fiscal stewardship and transparency. Dr. Shelton has been actively involved in working with educational partners and has contributed to negotiations regarding certificated and classified bargaining units. Before joining SMMUSD, Dr. Shelton served as the principal of Indian Hill High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, a top-ranked school, according to US News, from 2011 to 2016. He also held administrative positions at William Mason High School and Sycamore High School, both in Ohio. Dr. Shelton began his teaching career in 1998, teaching honors courses in history and government. He has also worked as an adjunct teacher and facilitator
for graduate-level courses in educational leadership and curriculum development. “I am truly excited and humbled to serve as superintendent of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District,” said Dr. Shelton. “I want to thank the school board for trusting me to lead this wonderful district. It is an honor to have been chosen to lead a district that is on the move in a positive direction. I envision a journey ahead with collaboration and community built on trust between myself and the educational partners of SMMUSD. I look forward to leading the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District community, its faculty, staff, and students to greater heights.” Dr. Shelton holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hampton University, a Master of Arts in Social Studies from Ohio State University, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Cincinnati, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Kentucky. Board President Maria Leon-Vazquez expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the search, saying, “Following an arduous national search with the assistance of our consulting firm, Leadership Associates, we reviewed 35 applications and held in-person interviews with top candidates. Dr. Antonio Shelton rose to the top and was selected by the Board. Our communities demand the best, and so does the
Board. We welcome Dr. Shelton into his new role as the superintendent for SMMUSD. We are looking forward to him hitting the ground running, leading SMMUSD through the 21st century while planning for the 22nd century.” In the press release, SMMUSD announced that Dr. Shelton is eager to engage and collaborate with various community supporters and partners, including the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council and units, Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association, Service Employees International Union, Santa Monica Education Foundation, Malibu fundraising entities, Santa Monica and Malibu Chambers of Commerce, City of Santa Monica, City of Malibu, law enforcement agencies, and nonprofit organizations serving youth and families.
Santa Monica City Council Takes Action To Criminalize Catalytic Converter Theft After Historic Rise In Catalytic Converter Thefts, The New Ordinance Passes Unanimously By Dolores Quintana In the Santa Monica City Council meeting on May 24, city council members considered a new ordinance on criminalizing the unlawful possession of catalytic converters. The new ordinance would be known as Santa Monica Municipal Code 4.08.830. This was in response to the large rise of thefts of catalytic converters from residents’ cars in the city. Detective Martin Hardy of the SMPD property division that deals with grand theft autos and thefts of catalytic converters. He was accompanied
by Sergeant Alfonso Lozano. Detective Hardy presented the staff recommendation from the SMPD and Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office that since the theft of catalytic converters had risen significantly in the past few years, the Santa Monica City Council should adopt an ordinance that criminalizes the possession of catalytic converters for anyone who does not have valid documentation or other proof of lawful possession. Detective Hardy then showed a graph that tracked the rise of thefts of catalytic converters in Santa Monica from 2016 to the current day. There were only 11 such thefts in 2016, 35 in 2017, 59 in 2018, 27 in 2019, and a large jump in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, to 229 thefts of catalytic converters. In 2021 there were an even larger number of such thefts, namely 302, then another 312 in 2022. For the current year, as of May 24, there have already been 215 catalytic converter thefts in Santa Monica within
the first five months of the year. After the discussion, there was a motion by Councilmember Caroline Torosis that was seconded by Councilmember Phil Brock to vote on the passage of the ordinance. The vote was unanimous, and the motion was passed. The
penalty is a $500 fine and seizure of the property. Detective Hardy encouraged residents to check the SMPD website for when the SMPD hosts catalytic converter etching events and to check to find out what cars are most in demand for catalytic converter thieves.
BACK OR UNFILES
TAXES?
ALL FORMS • ALL TYPES • ALL STATES SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA
(310) 395-9922
100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1753 • Santa Monica 90401