ENTERTAINMENT
INSIDE SCOOP
COMMENTARY
POLICE OFFICER HEADS FOR THE BIG TIME PAGE 3 RESISTING THE URGE TO GO NUCLEAR PAGE 4
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2008
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Volume 7 Issue 123
Santa Monica Daily Press
WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN? SEE PAGE 13
District forced to cut 40 jobs BY MELODY HANATANI I Daily Press Staff Writer SMMUSD HDQTRS At the end of this fiscal year, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is expected to have 40 less employees, a result of revenue losses and a smaller student population directly related to the restriction of outof-town students. Some employees will be gone as a result of retirement or an unrelated dismissal issue, but the majority of pink slips comes as a result of declining enrollment from a permit policy enacted a few years ago that limits the number of students residing outside of the district. Out of the 40 employees who will possibly leave the district, 25 are teaching positions, only eight of which received pink slips last month. Staffing cuts for classified positions, which includes administrative assistants, custodians and reading specialists, and administrators at school sites will be made in the next few months, according to Mike Matthews, the assistant superintendent of human resources. In determining which teachers to let go, Matthews said he first evaluates each elementary school and its projected enrollment, determining how many teachers each site will need and how many instructors will be leaving voluntarily, through retirement or resignation. It becomes a matter of seniority thereafter, the longertermed educators having an edge over newcomers. For the newer teachers who were hired at the same time, Matthews looks into factors such as whether they are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or hold other credentials. The pink slips last month were all handed to secondary school staff members — three teachers in English, one in math, one in science, two in history and one in physical education. About two teachers have resigned since the dismissal notices were distributed and two teachers have gotten their positions back, Matthews said. “In secondary [schools], it’s more difficult because we have to have turnover in the right area,” Matthews said. “We ask principals in what [subject] areas they would make reductions.” Class sizes at the district’s elementary schools will remain the same, keeping teacher to student ratios at 20-to-1 in kindergarten through third grade, and 30-to-1 in grades four and five. Matthews stressed that his hope is to hire all of the pinkslipped employees back, telling the teachers that there is a very good chance that the district will find ways to hire them back. “We have to be careful to budget,” Matthews said. “We didn’t want to overhire next year.” Matthews said that he expects the district will lose about 10 classified employees and five administrators. The Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association provides assistance for certificated personnel
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE FUTURE OF DEVELOPMENT ISSUE
LUCE is getting close Plan will dictate development for years to come BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
WILMONT For one last time on Wednesday, the permanent markers and easel pads were pulled from the supply closets, utilized by an assemblage of residents who spent yet another evening brainstorming the
future of their beloved city, thinking caps donned and all. It was a routine performed repeatedly the past several years through numerous workshops related to the formulation of the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), a 20year general plan that will dictate the developmental future of Santa Monica. The sight was similar to those in previous meetings — multiple groups of residents surrounding a table, throwing out ideas about parking, open space, transportation and density, all while a city planner facilitates the discussion, scribbling suggestions
on the easel pad. But the difference in the congregation on Tuesday night at Lincoln Middle School’s cafeteria was that it was the final time these groups of residents would meet in a workshop before the draft concept of the LUCE is presented before the Planning Commission later this spring. The public should have more opportunities to give their input once the draft concept is completed. The workshop focused on the integration of the plan, discussing the economics of the city and how it SEE LUCE PAGE 10
READY FOR THE SHOW
Geoffrey Dunn news@smdp.com As part of the Youth Education/Entertainment Series, (left to right) Frank Garces (13, John Adams Middle School) and Quinn D'Andrea (11, Lincoln Middle School) perform in the Santa Monica Theatre Guild's production of ‘The Hundred Dresses’ for children from Grant and Overland elementary schools on Wednesday at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. The play is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays through April 13 at 11 a.m.
SEE CUTS PAGE 11
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