S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
December 02 - December 08, 2022 Volume CLXIX, Issue 173
INSIDE Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel Celebrates the Holidays PAGE 8
Separation of the Santa Monica-Malibu School District Moves Forward Public engagement to begin in early 2023 By Dolores Quintana The separation of the Santa Monica Malibu School District has moved forward in an important way. The discussion between the two school districts since April has lead to the creation of a framework to separate the two from one another that both sides can agree with. As detailed in the official termsheet, the two districts have agreed on “A conceptual financial model to insure both districts maintain sufficient revenue and revenue growth to provide the same or greater level of educational programs to students in both territories. A description of agreements that the City and the District will need to finalize, including a tax-sharing agreement, operations agreement, and joint powers agreement, to fully implement the unification. The pursuit of special legislation to assist in the implementation of the unification. A detailed timeline of the process.”
Jon Kean, SMMUSD Board Member said, as quoted in the press release, “This process we’ve identified reflects countless hours of negotiations and hard work on both sides,” Jon Kean, SMMUSD Board Member, said. “Unification has been discussed, debated and pursued many times over the last few decades. The commitment by both sides to move forward under this framework represents the first time that we have been able to mutually agree upon an equitable financial model. While there is work left to do, we have reached an historic moment in this process.” Malibu Mayor Paul Grisanti said, as quoted in the press release, “After years of hard work and negotiations, we finally have a viable framework for an independent Malibu Unified School District. We would not be here without the hard work, dedication, and compromise made by the District and the City’s negotiating teams. Now that the Term Sheet has been accepted by both the SMMUSD Board of Education and the Malibu City Council, I am hopeful that the process and framework set forth will guide us to the ultimate goal of two separate school districts.” The process, stated in the framework,
Photo: Sam Catanzaro Roosevelt Elementary School in Santa Monica.
will allow for the public to comment on the proceedings and give their input about this new beginning. In early 2023, official public
engagement with the framework and the situation’s progress will begin.
Santa Monica Issues Moratorium on Parkway Ordinance After Public Dispute Move comes after backlash from residents By Keemia Zhang Santa Monica has placed an indefinite moratorium on a previous directive that ordered Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers to cite cars that parked illegally on driveway aprons and parkways, under section 3.12.380 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code. The ordinance, announced last month, was slated to go into effect at the beginning of November before city staff stated that it would be suspended for review until further notice. Santa Monica resident Leah Mendelsohn noted that she was informed of the measure being backpedaled during a phone call with City Staff on Halloween. Mendelsohn, alongside fellow advocate Jason Axe, had
spearheaded a community effort to repeal the ordinance, petitioning the City to address the issue. City Communications Manager Constance Farrell announced last week that the city had been “evaluating community feedback” and would “‘provide staff the opportunity to consider and bring forward alternatives”, suspending all ticketing enforced by the ordinance. “It’s personal for me,” Mendelsohn said. “Many of my neighbors with children, or who have disabled people in their families, find it easier to park on driveway aprons in order for them to access their car. It’s just easier.” She also criticized the City purportedly citing “inequity” as one of the reasons for the original ordinance. “There’s so much bigger inequity in this city, it doesn’t make sense.” Farrell indicated that City would “determine what changes are necessary to ensure sidewalks remain accessible” and stressed that
citation by law enforcement would continue for vehicles blocking sidewalks to ensure
safety, according to California Vehicle Code Section 22500.