THE SCHOOL BOARD

The ancient Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times,” is relevant. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education, which, like all the boards in town, is dominated by Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights members, has had some very interesting times recently,

It’s a daunting task and an extraordinary responsibility – overseeing the education of our children – when things are going well, and things haven’t gone well for a while. Two superintendents have come and gone in too short a time. In June, the board hired an “interim superintendent” to fill in. He’s still there.

A member of the staff at Lincoln Middle School was arrested and charged with 28 counts of sexual abuse over a period of years, which called into question the District’s ability to keep students safe and secure

The board’s failure to respond quickly and act decisively to solve the profound problems in the Special Education program convinced many people that the entire board should be replaced. But, as it happens, two veteran board members and two newcomers are competing for three open seats.

In our view, neither of the board members, Jose Escarse and Maria Leon-Vasquez, should be given another term. During a candidates’ interview on City TV, they both admitted that they had not handled the special ed crisis well, apologized and vowed to do better from now on.

The SMRR membership endorsed Leon-Vasquez and challenger Ben Allen. The SMRR steering committee subsequently endorsed Escarse.

The two challengers, Allen and Chris Bley, separately or together, would significantly alter the board’s posture, perspective and approach.

For one thing, both of them are SMMUSD alumni. For another, they have done their homework, and have identified the District’s problems, as well as its assets.

Bley is a teacher at the Brentwood School. After graduating from Colorado State University, he did a stint in the Peace Corps. Special Education is one of his primary interests,

Allen is a graduate of Harvard. UC Berkeley law school)(Boalt Hall), has studied at Cambridge University, been a UC Regent, taught here and abroad, and is now practicing law.

They both believe in public service and think they can be of service to the District. We agree.

The addition of two bright, committed, knowledgeable young men with long ties to the District should at least invigorate and possibly inspire the board to do the things that have gone undone too long.

SANTA MONICA BALLOT MEASURES

MEASURE T would limit new commercial development to 75,000 square feet a year for the next 15 years.. YES.

MEASURE SM would authorize a 10% tax on every device that sends data, regardless of the manner used, like wireless cellular phones, OnStar, blackberries and satellite TV, as well as items that may surprise you, such as movie downloads and home alarm services.NO.

MEASURE AA would authorize the Santa Monica Community College District to issue $295 million in bonds to finance improvements, but the college still has $100 million in unspent funds from the last bond issue.NO.

NOTE: We have run many stories on the issues,the controversies, and related matter. Simply scroll down to read on.
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