The Curruption in Education—What will we teach our kids?

The Santa Monica Board Members are at a moral and ethical crossroads. We are all watching to see what they do next. Will they uphold the values of democracic public servants or will they continue to behave like oligarchic politicians?

I attended the last meeting discussing separation. They have all lost sight of their duty to serve and educate children. They claim their issue with separation is not about money, but it clearly is. There is no discussion of educational terms the board is requiring a new Malibu district meet, only terms of money. Over $100,000,000 wasn’t enough money for them; now they more. They want a 50-year divorce settlement. Let’s put this into perspective: Most of the board will be dead by then and my great-granddaughter will still be paying alimony to Santa Monica? This is pure greed.

SMMUSD is the 10th wealthiest district in California—after separation the 11th wealthiest. Money isn’t their problem (they have plenty); it’s how you spend it. Money doesn’t equate to great education, healthy school facilities, or great teaching—LEADERSHIP does. Stop playing the poor me card and focus on improving math pathways, writing programs, grammar, and get some coding classes.

With Maria Leon-Vasquez’s actions coming to light, we are all watching to see if the board will make excuses for her, despite clear evidence that she violated SMMUSD’s bylaws, or hold her accountable. The board has a moral and ethical choice to make: will you teach students that everyone is accountable to the law or will you choose to teach students that those in elected positions are above the law?

If the internal investigation, or the LA District Attorney’s external investigation, show that Leon-Vazquez, or any other board member, has violated public trust, I hope they will be held accountable and they are required to resign.

Since Malibu’s vote doesn’t count in school board elections, as Malibu can’t alter an election solely with their vote, it’s up to the Santa Monica residents to hold accountable their politicians who put private interests above public interests, make consistently bad decisions, are frivolous with public funds, and frankly, don’t know how to best educate kids.

This is another example of why Malibu needs its own school board—one Malibu can hold accountable by Malibu’s vote, the way democracy intended.

It’s reckoning time. Stop letting money corrupt the education of children. School Board is a public service, not a platform to use for self-interest and monetary gain.

Santa Monica is a wealthy school district and that won’t change after separation. What will change is both cities will have a democratic process to participate in. You can be sure that Malibu citizens will hold the future Malibu Unified School District Board to task, making sure our public servants follow the law, focus their attention on implementing creative ways to engage and improve student education, and every dollar is wisely spent toward the goal of an excellent education for every student.

The question is, will Santa Monica residents use their vote and require the same of thier school board?

It’s time to sever these two cities, not in 50 years, not with alimony, but because it is the democratic thing to do. Until this occurs, every child loses. Santa Monica children deserve their schools boards’ undivided attention to give Santa Monica’s children the safest, best education that the 11th wealthiest school district should be providing.