March 4, 2009 Update

The agenda for tomorrow's Board Meeting has been posted:

Board of Education Meeting

Thursday, March 5, 2009
5:30 PM
Malibu City Hall
23815 Stuart Ranch Rd.
Malibu, CA  90265
map and directions

Agenda Action Items A.27 through A.35 includes Board votes on releasing, reassigning, non-reelection, and discontinuation of various categories of personnel, as well as determination of seniority. The categories include administrators, probationary employees, temporary employees, and employees with provisional or emergency permits. The specific staff members who may be getting layoff or reassignment notices are identified only by a number, not by name or position.

What Can You Do to Help?

Speak out, in person and/or by email. If you can attend either of the Board meetings, fill out a speaker card, hand it to the Board Secretary, and plan on a 2 or 3-minute time limit. 

Send email to the Board members before March 4th. Contact information for the Board members is posted on the SMMUSD website, or you can use the convenient form below.

Urge the Board to maintain current funding levels for the district's Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts Teachers and for the VAPA Coordinator. All that prevents these positions from disappearing bit by bit, as they did from 1978 through 1983 after Prop 13 passed, is public opinion.

If you need ideas for your email or public comment, visit Talking Points and Studies Show.

Proposed Elementary Music Teacher Layoffs

On February 19th, the SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo and Assistant Superintendent Mike Matthews recommended that the Board of Education vote to send layoff notices by March 15th (effective June 2009) to two nurses, three intervention counselors, and two elementary music teachers. The rationale for focusing on these seven positions was that they are funded by grants that might be reduced or eliminated.

Currently, 100% of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the district receive music instruction from credentialed music teachers, paid for by Measure R (the local parcel tax passed by voters in February 2008) and the state Arts and Music Block Grant.

Take away two teachers, and the elementary music schedule won't work.
(originally linked to History page)

Not only will 829 third graders lose music instruction, but we could end up back with the old "pull-out" schedule with only about 1,000 fourth and fifth graders studying instrumental music again, as opposed to all 2,500 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. That's why it's so important to maintain funding for all the Elementary Music teachers.

Board members, suggesting that the positions might be funded out of the General Fund, asked for additional information, and delayed the vote until their March 5th meeting, which will be held at Malibu City Hall, 23815 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu 90265.  Click here for map and directions

As supporters of the district's music program, we urge you either speak at the next board meeting, or send an email to the Board of Education before March 4th.

No matter what happens at the March 5th meeting, school district officials and the Board of Education will continue discussing budget matters throughout the spring, so check back for updates.

For your convenience, we have provided the contact form below.  Submitting this form will forward your comments to all members of the SMMUSD Board of Education and the Superintendent's office.

Please note:  This form is specifically designed to prevent spam.  It does not allow full urls or hyperlinks in any of the fields.  If you would like to cite a web page in your message, refer to it without "http" or "www."  Example:  formusiced.com

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