SMMUSD Board Unanimously Approves Agreements to Split Into Santa Monica and Malibu School Districts

The Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to approve a set of agreements that would formally begin the process of dividing the district into two independent entities: the Santa Monica Unified School District (SMUSD) and the Malibu Unified School District (MUSD).

The 7–0 vote, taken during a special Dec. 1 meeting, marks a major milestone in a years-long effort by Malibu officials and SMMUSD’s unification subcommittee to resolve the financial and operational issues involved in separation. The board approved three key documents—the Property Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement, Operational Transfer Agreement, and Joint Powers Agreement—intended to outline how the districts would divide revenue, assets, and responsibilities while maintaining stability for students in both communities.

Board member Jon Kean, who serves on the unification subcommittee, said the agreements were guided by a commitment to protect students in both cities. “They meet our two most important criteria; both cohorts of students will benefit, and each cohort will receive a comparable education on the last day of SMMUSD as they will on day one of SMUSD and MUSD,” Kean said. “Delivering local control while not harming students is driving my decision.”

Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins also praised the collaborative effort. “Everybody has put in so much time and effort and work,” she said during public comment. “It is great that we are here now.”

With SMMUSD’s approval, the next step is a review by the Malibu City Council, which is scheduled to discuss and vote on the agreements on Dec. 8. If approved, the city and district will jointly pursue the state legislation and other approvals required to officially establish the two new school districts.

Meeting materials and the full presentation from SMMUSD’s Dec. 1 session are available on the district’s unification webpage:

• Meeting Video
• Board Agenda Item
• Presentation
• SMMUSD unification webpage with the three agreements: https://www.smmusd.org/our-district/superintendent/malibu-unification

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Damien Newton

Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.

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