SR 08-28-2018 13D 13.D
August 28, 2018
Council Meeting: August 28, 2018 Santa Monica, California
1 of 1
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE - MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk, Records & Elections Services
Department
Date: August 28, 2018
13.D Request of Mayor Winterer and Mayor Pro Tem Davis that the City Council
support School Board Measure SMS, the Santa Monica Classroom Repair
and 21st Century Education Bond, on the November 2018 ballot. If passed,
the measure will improve, repair, and modernize outdated Santa Monica
classrooms, science labs, libraries, instructional technology and other
school facilities and improve school safety/security systems.
SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1651 Sixteenth Street • Santa Monica • California 90404-3891 • (310) 450-8338 • www.smmusd.org
Board of Education: Oscar de la Torre • Jon Kean • Craig Foster • Maria Leon-Vazquez
Laurie Lieberman • Ralph Mechur • Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein
Superintendent: Dr. Ben Drati
August 28, 2018
City of Santa Monica City Council
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Dear Mayor Winterer, Mayor pro tem Davis and City Councilmembers,
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District has placed a school improvement funding measure
on the November 6, 2018 ballot in Santa Monica, and would appreciate the endorsement of the
Santa Monica City Council.
Measure SMS, a $485 million bond, will be on the November ballot in Santa Monica with proceeds
directed entirely for SMMUSD schools located in a Santa Monica-only school improvement district.
The State cannot take away one cent of these bond monies. Also in November, Malibu voters will be
voting on a bond measure for their schools.
School facilities are integral to the quality of education. Yet, some classrooms are in buildings that
are 75 to over 100 years old, desperately needing modernization or replacement to support 21st
century learning. Repairs and upgrades are needed at all Santa Monica schools to meet today’s
academic and safety standards.
Improving fire safety and security systems, and upgrading the air circulation systems is critical for
the wellbeing of our students and staff and are important for creating an optimal learning
environment. We are continuing to fix deteriorating school floors, walls, windows, doors and roofs in
older buildings, but have more to do. The bond will also support the addition and modernization of
science labs and build classrooms for teaching career and technical skills to help students succeed
in 21st Century jobs. Portable classrooms will be replaced by safe, modern classrooms.
An independent citizens’ oversight committee will be established and annual audits would be
required to ensure funds are spent as promised to address important facilities needs in Santa
Monica schools.
The endorsement of the Santa Monica City Council is critical to the success of this bond measure.
Quality facilities and a quality education will benefit all who live in our community.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
Sincerely,
Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, President
Board of Education
Item 13-D
08/28/18
1 Item 13-D
08/28/18