Santa Monica Daily Press, September 03, 2012

Page 1

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

Volume 11 Issue 250

Santa Monica Daily Press

CONNECTING FARMS AND SCHOOLS SEE PAGE 3

We have you covered

THE FIRE UP THE GRILL ISSUE

Superintendent Lyon talks experience, future BY ASHLEY ARCHIBALD Daily Press Staff Writer

SMMUSD HDQTRS Sandra Lyon took over the top position in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District in May 2011.

Since, the district has weathered a hardfought battle to fundamentally alter the method of fundraising in the schools, taken on violence and racial conflict that erupted at Santa Monica High School and began the complicated process of working with a

group of Malibu education advocates trying to secede from the union. That’s on top of the “normal” problems facing public education, primarily the state financial crisis that’s resulted in a 20 percent decrease in the amount of funding available

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Samohi Vikings coast to win over Redondo Union BY DANIEL ARCHULETA Managing Editor

CORSAIR FIELD It didn’t take long for Santa Monica football to prove that this year’s team has a different feel than years past. Samohi rode a balanced attack that saw the Vikings score on the ground, through the air and even on defense during a 42-21 season-opening win over Redondo Union on Friday at Santa Monica College. Seemingly gone is Samohi’s run-first offense and in its place is a high-powered passing game led by senior wide receiver Sebastian LaRue and new quarterback Ryan Barbarin. “It felt like the old days,” Barbarin said of reuniting with his former Pop Warner teammate LaRue. “It was good to finally get out here and play.” Barbarin, who transferred to Samohi

to SMMUSD, leaving a $5 million budget deficit that could balloon to $10 million if neither of the two tax increases on the November ballot make it past voters. Add to that a newly-launched cam- LYON paign calling on local voters to accept a $385 million bond measure to help repair aging school facilities on campuses that are looking back on their 100th birthdays, and you have quite a year. Despite those dustups, Lyon is looking steadfastly forward. At the convocation that launched the new school year, she announced to every district employee that this would be a time to focus on collaboration and efficiency. She plans to use her second year to address the persistent achievement gap between minority students and their white and Asian counterparts, and put the district in a position to succeed as the federal government pushes to standardize tests throughout the nation. The Daily Press sat down with Lyon to discuss her take on the year behind her, and what promises to be an eventful one to come. Daily Press: So how would you grade your performance in your first year? Sandra Lyon: I’m going to give myself a B. I think there were things that I didn’t expect in terms of some community expectations and how my time was used that, had I planned better, I might have been more effective. So I think this year we’re setting up some scheduling and ways to meet with people so that I can be out in the community and meet with staff. I think that will help me be more effective.

SEE SAMOHI PAGE 11

St. Monica tops Malibu, 20-12 CORSAIR FIELD St. Monica football evened its record at 1-1 on Saturday at Santa Monica College with a 20-12 win over Malibu. Malibu falls to 0-1 this season with the loss. Next for St. Monica is a road game at Mary Star of the Sea on Friday at 7 p.m. The game will be played at Daniels Field.

Paul Alvarez Jr. news@smdp.com

— DANIEL ARCHULETA

GIVE HIM A HAND: Samohi’s Sebastian LaRue makes a one-handed grab for a touchdown

DP: What were some of those unexpecteds? The districtwide funding debate, the Malibu unification?

over Julian Harrison of Redondo Union on Friday at Santa Monica College.

Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339 In today’s real estate climate ...

Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com www.garylimjap.com

SL: Yes. All of those things were sort of unexpected. I think you can be a superintendent for a career and not deal with any of those issues. SEE LYON PAGE 10

TAXES ALL FORMS, ALL TYPES, ALL STATES

BACK TAXES • BOOKKEEPING • SMALL BUSINESS

SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA

(310) 395-9922

100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1800Santa Monica 90401


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