It's Up to You and Me and End "Free Ride" for Malibu

February 5, 2003

Dear Editor,

It is essential that this community understand that we are the only hope for our public schools. Programs and staff are about to be decimated -- at the district office and at every school site. If we don't do something about it, no one will.

The Governor has promised to veto the bill restoring Vehicle License Fees (VLF) to 1998 levels, which was the only hope for any revenue ($3 to 4 billion) to soften $30 billion in state budget cuts. The axe is about to fall; there is no Sacramento knight riding to our rescue.

Look not to Washington either. President Bush has proposed a budget that will produce a record deficit of $304 billion this year, and $307 billion in 2004 (another new record). Instead of the $1.5 trillion surplus promised two years ago, the White House now projects a $1.1 trillion shortfall over the 5 years ending in 2008.

Education is funded at a paltry $53.1 billion; there will be no full funding for the President's No Child Left Behind program. We may now refer to it as Every Child Left Behind.

Defense is doing ok: an increase of $15.3 billion in 2004, followed by annual increases of $20 billion will bring defense spending up to $484 billion by 2009. We're #1 and currently spend more than nations 2-15 combined in the race for spending supremacy. We can refer to this as No Defense Contractor Left Behind. Note: these costs DO NOT include the $1.5 billion a month spent on military operations in Afghanistan, nor do they reflect any cost for the coming conflict in Iraq, nor its aftermath.

In addition to the 10-year $1.35 trillion tax cut the administration pushed through Congress in 2001, the new budget calls for another $1.3 trillion in tax cuts over the next decade. Millionaires will annually receive $130,000 back, the average family enough for a few trips to Soup Plantation followed by a visit to the local Multi-plex -- no popcorn. Red ink, defense spending, tax cuts for the wealthiest 1 percent, and education can go begging. No Millionaire Left Behind.

There are 2 opportunities for us to do something in the next four months but we must first educate our selves, our friends, and our neighbors -- and rally them in support of our very fine local public schools. There will be a school-funding measure on the June 3 ballot, and there will be continued pressure on both City Councils (Santa Monica & Malibu) to help with funds.

BOTH are necessary to prevent a catastrophe, and if you think that's hyperbole -- wait until you see what $12 million in cuts looks like.

Rick Gates
Chair -- John Adams Middle School Governance

February 4, 2003

Dear Editor,

For four years, I served on a Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board that oversees the grade school childcare program at the district's elementary schools, including Juan Cabrillo, where my children attend, at Zuma Beach.

The Cabrillo program serves western Malibu children from 7 a.m. until school starts, and from kindergarten dismissal until 6 p.m. It operates 52 weeks a year.

Working parents such as me and my wife rely desperately on this program.

The level of City of Malibu support for this before and after school elementary school program has been zero. Meanwhile, the City of Santa Monica has committed millions over the years for after school programs in the district over those years.

The City of Malibu's Parks and Recreation Department does not offer after school programs that even approach what the district has taken on at Juan Cabrillo.

Over the years, I sat in shame as committee members from Santa Monica politely and correctly pointed out that Malibu taxpayers were getting a free ride at the expense of the City of Santa Monica's contributions to the entire after school program. Despite that, the district soldiered on
and bore the burden.

But now times have changed. It is time for the affluent community of Malibu to step up and begin to carry our share of the burden of providing safe after school programs for Malibu children. The Santa Monica free ride is unfair.

The City of Malibu has created after school programs for 12-and-up kids by starting the Boys and Girls Club at Malibu High. This is admirable.

But this program is only for junior high and up. Now this effort must be extended to the little ones, where the City is spending zero.

Now, the district is finding it cannot afford its music programs. There are dozens - hundreds - of school funding categories, and there may be no direct correlation between the music and after school funding commitments.

But the time has come for the Malibu City Council to step to the plate.

This City faced dozens of natural disasters in its first decade. Funding for everything was always uncertain. But those crises are behind Malibu, and a significant cash reserve has prudently been
established. Part of this money is earmarked for an eventual new City Hall, an important and worthy civic goal. The City Council's restraint in spending is noted and appreciated; the reserve fund is needed and should be valued.

The worst state funding crisis since the 1930s is just such an emergency.

It's time for the City of Malibu to act like a City. Our crises are behind us. Quality education, after school childcare and community values such as the arts are far more important than a new City Hall.

Malibu must dig, and dig deeply, to make up for the State revenues that are being cut off from our school children.

Residents of Santa Monica should be aware that people like me in Malibu face an uphill battle. There are a few people out here who want to erect toll gates on P.C.H. and divorce ourselves from the reality of the outside world, like properly educating children.

But we're awake and we're working on this.

Hans Laetz
Zuma Beach