Flavored Drinks Could Be Expelled from Malibu Schools

Following the path of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which banned flavored milk this week, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board could be removing all flavored drinks from the district's menu. The potential ban was among the topics discussed at Thursday's Board of Education meeting in Santa Monica.

Several parents and teachers addressed the board, demanding a flavored milk ban. They had a strong supporter in board member Ralph Mechur.

"I don't understand why—at this point—we would have another carton of flavored milk on our campuses … unless somebody can prove to us it's beneficial,” Mechur said.

Board President José Escarce, who has a medical degree, said the issue went beyond flavored milk. He said other artificially flavored beverages should be included in the conversation.

The board is expected to address the beverage issue at a meeting next month.

Also on Thursday, Superintendent Tim Cuneo apologized to Santa Monica High School parent Victoria Gray for the district's failure to notify her about her son being the victim of racial harassment.

Gray's son, who is black, was apparently chained to a locker by other students. A noose was also placed in the locker room by white students. Gray said at the meeting that she found out about the incident only through other parents, and was told nothing by school or district officials. 

She said a mass email should be sent to parents regarding future incidents and she wants a racial-intolerance feature added to the policy parents and students must sign concerning weapons, cellphones and drugs. The district's existing policy regarding hate-motivated behavior does not say that parents need to be notified when incidents occur.

Cuneo met with Gray before the board meeting and, Cuneo said, a mass email was recently sent to parents explaining the steps the district is taking regarding the incident, including counseling support and orientation for future freshmen.

"We do not tolerate this on our campus, and take it very seriously," Cuneo said. "We'll take every step to make sure that all students are respected on our campus, and we want to promote a positive environment and celebrate diversity."

Board members said the bullying and harassment policy should be revisited. A review of many of the district's discipline policies is expected to be looked at this summer.