Malibu’s journey toward a separate school district has always been guided by two core principles: what’s best for students and fair to both communities. Both Malibu and Santa Monica leaders agree that an independent Malibu district can and should be a “win-win” – benefiting children in both cities (Source)

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Our proposed Revenue Sharing Agreement guarantees that Santa Monica’s schools will remain fully funded *even after separation* (current funding levels plus 4% annual growth for ~18 years are ensured). At the same time, Malibu’s students will finally have what more than twenty other California communities of comparable size already enjoy: a locally controlled district with the ability to tailor its efforts and curriculum to the needs of its students and their community.

 

“Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) supports Malibu’s interest in the local control it desires, while ensuring that the remaining Santa Monica USD remains whole." – SMMUSD Board Vice President (explaining the 50-year revenue-sharing framework approved to facilitate separation). 

On October 24, 2024, the SMMUSD Board acknowledged how far we’ve come – stating “we are at the doorstep of completing this arduous process, which was once thought to be impossible.” Both sides have negotiated in good faith for years to address every concern, from finances to student programs. While Malibu’s City Council voted unanimously to move forward with our petition for unification when further delays arose, we remain committed to a fair and collaborative solution. As then Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins clarified, "Malibu will gladly resume mediation at any time, but we cannot accept indefinite delays". Our kids have waited long enough.

 

This website provides a clear overview of why Malibu seeks to form its own district to gain local control of its public schools and how this change will benefit all stakeholders – Malibu families, our teachers and staff, the broader Malibu community, and even our neighbors in Santa Monica.

We believe local control over Malibu schools will lead to safer campuses, more responsive educational programs, and greater community engagement – without harming the Santa Monica district. In fact, an independent Malibu district rebalances resources and attention, allowing each community to better focus on its own students’ needs.

Join us in exploring the facts, history, and vision behind Malibu’s effort to create an independent school district. With mutual respect and the guiding principle that all students deserve the best, we are confident that Malibu’s long-held dream of educational self-determination will soon become a reality.