Reasons to Vote for S

May 22, 2003

Dear Editor:

We as a community must work to pass Measure S, a school funding measure, which will be on the June 3. ballot. Without Measure S many critical programs in our schools will be eliminated. Currently over two hundred teachers and critical district personnel have received notices that they will not be able to return next year.

As an active member of the business community, I feel it is important for Casa del Mar and Shutters on the Beach, as well as our parent company, The Edward Thomas Companies, to support our schools. I have always believed that giving back to the community is very important, and over the years our hotels have adopted schools and helped support the education of local students.

With the state budget crisis and the continuing financial downturn in the economy, it is important that the whole community help schools to secure much needed funding.

I urge a YES vote on Measure S.

Sincerely,

Klaus Mennekes
Vice President & General Manager

May 22, 2003

Dear Editor,

We need Measure S to pass June 3! The Crisis is Real. We bought our North of Montana home because Santa Monica-Malibu schools are among the best in the state, but that could change overnight if Measure S does not pass.

It is up to us to solve this crisis at the local level. Measure S will restore a large portion of money we’re losing from the state and save our schools from drastic budget cuts. Thanks in advance for voting YES on Measure S and for urging others to do the same!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Happillon

May 22, 2003

Dear Editor:

Is Santa Monica's Measure S good for business? You bet it is and it should be strongly supported by Santa Monica businesses as well as by the City's residents.

Although I am a parent of two children who are products of the SMMUSD and a long-time resident, I am writing this letter as one of the owners of a small Santa Monica business and as someone who has been active in the business community for several years.

Young people are the future of local business as well as of the community in general and they will be unable to compete for quality jobs and careers if they lack the fundamental skills traditionally taught by public schools. State budget cuts are certain to be substantially more severe than were expected last year when Measure EE was proposed. If we fail to pass the modest parcel tax called for by Measure S, we will unquestionably compromise the ability of our schools to teach these skills.

While businesses are rightly skeptical of new taxes, Measure S will impose a very modest increase of less than $1 per day for many businesses, but, at the same time, will represent a start in replacing the lost State funding and will, in the end, prove to benefit everyone, businesses included.

Measure S, of course, is not the end of the road. The SMMUSD administration and School Board need to make sure that all available funds are spent wisely and the Santa Monica City Council should substantially increase its funding for local schools as an absolute top priority.

But it is imperative that we pass Measure S, and I am pleased that the business community, acting through the Chamber of Commerce and other sources, has played a major role in this effort.

Tom Larmore

May 22, 2003

Dear Editor,

I cannot imagine one plausible reason to oppose Measure S, and yet I have seen a scattered number of “NO on S” signs on apartment buildings, displayed (one supposes) by the landlord. This is short-sighted thinking on the part of the landlord.

One of the big reasons renters are willing to pay the amazing rents we see in Santa Monica is that we boast a superior school system. In fact, I know people who are renting in Santa Monica rather than buying houses elsewhere, for that very reason.

Lower the quality of education here, and the motivation to pay the inflated rental rates will diminish significantly. I hope landlords will consider this when they cast their ballots.

Sincerely,
Catherine Butterfield

May 22, 2003

Dear Editor,

Santa Monica voters face a critical issue on June 3: Do we want to live in a community where the only children who receive first-rate educations are those from wealthy families who send their children to private schools?

I know I don't, and I hope my fellow residents agree. I'm proud to live in a city with public schools amongst the best in our state. Sure, I know the great schools help keep my property values high, crime low, and their local support is a huge contributor to the overall wonderful quality of life in our city. But those are not the key reasons I support Measure S.

I support Measure S because all children deserve things like low teacher/student ratios, music instruction, staffed libraries, and clean campuses. Our schools stand to lose these and other essentials if Measure S fails. The state may have abandoned our public schools, but I won't, and I hope you won't either.