By Jorge Casuso

May 12, 2025 -- A vote denying Malibu's petition to separate from the School District will be retaken later this month after a key County Committee rescheduled last Thursday's meeting.

The County Committee on School District Organization will recast its 6 to 5 vote taken on April 2 at a meeting rescheduled for May 29, according to District officials.

The vote will be taken again after County Education officials determined the committee failed to follow parliamentary procedure ("County Committee to Vote Again on Malibu Split," April 8, 2025).

District officials said they don't expect the committee will reverse its decision.

“Members of the county committee clearly articulated their position that the petition should be denied and voted accordingly,” School Board member Jon Kean said shortly after County officials announced on April 4 the vote needed to be retaken.

“There had been some confusion during the process of making a motion and we understand the committee’s interest in ensuring that the original vote stands by retaking the vote,” Kean said.

April's narrow vote came after staff presented a feasibility study finding Malibu's 2017 petition failed to "substantially" meet eight of nine criteria needed for separation ("Malibu Fails to Meet Criteria for District Split, Study Finds," April 1, 2025).

After hours of testimony, public comments and discussion, the committee members were prepared to vote when a substitute motion was made to deny the petition.

The motion confused the members, who debated parliamentary procedure before relying on the advice of the County's lawyer and cast their votes.

Two days later, the LA County Office of Education's (LACOE)
determined the committee had skipped a step by failing to first vote on whether to take up the substitute motion.

The District issued a statement saying it was "pleased with the majority vote to deny the petition and looks forward to the affirmative results to deny the petition when the vote is retaken."

While it seems unlikely the vote will change, the need to recast it was only the latest snag in Malibu's two-decades old quest to split from the District.

No matter the outcome of the delayed vote, Malibu's petition is expected to end up before the State Board of Education (SBE), further delaying a final decision.