Source Links: Documents & References

To maintain transparency and trust, below is a collection of key source materials, reports, and agreements related to Malibu’s separation effort. We encourage community members to read these documents for a deeper understanding of the facts and figures behind the initiative. 

Original Petition & Resolutions
  - Malibu City Council Resolution 15-60 (Sept 2015) – The formal resolution to initiate (source)
  - Malibu Unification Petition to LACOE (submitted Sept 2017) – Cover letter and petition text.
  - SMMUSD Board Resolution (March 2018) – Board motion approving the Malibu separation framework, contingent on petition hold (source).

 Feasibility Studies & Financial Analyses
  - WestEd Feasibility Study (2015) – Commissioned by AMPS; concluded Malibu USD is viable and meets criteria (source).
  - School Services of California (SSC) Report (2018) – District-commissioned report detailing revenue-sharing scenarios (summarized in Board meeting of 3/20/2018) (source). 
  - Malibu’s Updated Feasibility Study (Nov 2024) – City of Malibu’s revised analysis submitted to LACOE (reflecting the negotiated agreements, minus withdrawn concessions).
  - LACOE Staff Feasibility Analysis (2021 & 2025) – County’s review of petition against the nine criteria (Sep 2021 preliminary report; Feb 2025 final report showing 8 criteria not met) (source). 
 Negotiation Documents
  - Term Sheet (Nov 2022) – The joint Malibu-SMMUSD term sheet outlining the separation package (Revenue formula, Operations, JPA).
  - Revenue Sharing Agreement – Overview PowerPoint – Malibu’s presentation (April 2024) explaining the funding formula in plain terms (source).
  - Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Draft – Outline of the proposed Malibu-SM JPA for ongoing cooperation (if any).
  - Operational Transfer Agreement Draft – How assets, liabilities, and staff would be divided or shared.

Correspondence & Public Statements
  - Open Letter from Malibu Mayor Pro Tem Marianne Riggins (July 24, 2024) – Addressing miscommunications and reaffirming Malibu’s stance (source).
  - Letter from SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati (Oct 28, 2020) – Expressing concerns about Malibu’s unilateral move (and Malibu’s reply on Nov 2, 2020) (source).
  - SMMUSD Board Member Jon Kean’s Statement (Nov 2024) – In an email to the community after County hearings, explaining SMMUSD’s perspective on delays and criteria (source).
  - AMPS President (Wade Major) Letter to LACOE (2022) – Critique of perceived conflicts of interest at County level and urging timely resolution (source).

 Meeting Videos Archive
  - Malibu City Council Meetings: Oct 12, 2020 (Council vote to reinstate petition) (source) April 10, 2024 (Community workshop on separation); Oct 23, 2024 (Special meeting announcement).
  - SMMUSD Board Meetings: March 20, 2018 (Special meeting on Malibu unification, 3-hour discussion) (source); Oct 15, 2024 (Special meeting on final agreements); Oct 24, 2024 (Regular meeting, item on separation package).
  - LACOE County Committee Hearings: April 17, 2021 (virtual preliminary hearing start); Sept 18, 2021 (prelim hearing decision); Nov 8 & 13, 2024 (public hearings in SM and Malibu); April 2, 2025 (decision meeting).
  - (YouTube links or city archives will be provided for each of the above where available.)

News Articles & Press Coverage
  - “Malibu Unification Framework Approved” – Canyon News, Mar 29, 2018: Summary of the initial deal framework (includes quotes from Craig Foster and Dr. Tahvildaran-Jesswein) (source).
  - “School board begins talks over complete Malibu unification package” – Santa Monica Daily Press, Oct 22, 2024: Details on the draft agreements presented to SMMUSD Board (source).
  - “Malibu breaks off school split negotiations with SMMUSD” – Santa Monica Daily Press, Oct 28, 2024: Malibu’s decision to proceed independently after missed deadline (source). 
  - “Proposed Malibu school district hits another stumbling block” – The Malibu Times, Nov 1, 2024: City Council vote to move ahead with petition after delays (includes community reactions and Jon Kean’s comments) (source). 
  - “County report says Malibu can’t justify its own school district” – Santa Monica Daily Press, Mar 30, 2025: Coverage of LACOE staff’s negative recommendation (8 of 9 criteria failed) (source). 
  - “Revote Planned for Malibu School District Split” – Santa Monica Mirror, April 22, 2025: Explains the 6–5 vote and the procedural revote set for May 2025 (source).
  - “Malibu Petition to Separate from SMMUSD Rejected by County Committee” – SantaMonicaNext, May 2025: Announcement of the final County decision (denial) and next steps (state appeal) (source)

(For brevity, not every document is listed here. Additional records – such as the complete LACOE transcripts of meetings, environmental impact reports, and legal opinions – are available upon request from the Malibu Unification Committee.)

Warm Regards,
The MalibuForward Team – Working towards an independent Malibu Unified School District in partnership with our community and neighbors.

Last updated: August 2025.