Civic Group Publicly Tackles School Finances

By Jorge Casuso

After grappling with school finances for several months behind closed doors, a nonpartisan group of the city's top civic leaders dubbed the "Friday Group" went public Monday.

More than 60 community and parent activists, as well as more than a dozen current and former city officials, used the meeting at McKinley Elementary School to air their concerns, hopes and differences over the cash-strapped district's financial future.

"We need to lay down our weapons regarding other issues," said architect Ralph Mechur, a group member and former planning commissioner who ran the meeting. "Everything ultimately comes back to money."

Unlike the "Monday Group," a group of dissatisfied parents focusing their efforts on district reform, "Community for Excellent Public Schools" is charting ways to raise funds at the local, state and federal levels. By using clout and connections, the group hopes to form a "daisy chain" of supporters and contributors.

The fundraising plans include asking the council to redirect more money to the district, seeking private funding from the Santa Monica's burgeoning entertainment and .com companies and placing an initiative on the November ballot to hike the city's parcel tax, which is currently $73 per parcel.

But while the meeting focused on financing strategies, the issue of the district's accountability after three shortfalls in 18 months cast a constant shadow on the proposed plans. Councilman Paul Rosenstein expressed concerns that lack of confidence in the district could make it difficult to garner the two-thirds of the vote needed to increase the parcel tax.

"I'm worried about whether it will pass," Rosenstein said. "We're all aware of the problems the district has, and there are concerns from groups of parents about how it will be resolved.

"A lot of people will be watching the district closely," the former mayor said. "We can't push these problems under the rug. We have to assure people the problems will be taken care of."

"There definitely is a credibility problem," said Mark Gold, executive director of Heal the Bay and a concerned parent. "I don't think the public is necessarily getting it."

But school board member Brenda Gottfried warned that criticizing the district was not in the best interests of the children.

"The language that we are using is not win-win for the kids," Gottfried said. "When we use terms like 'bailout,' that is not partnership language. We are the ones that can pass the parcel tax, and we can defeat it. We need to change that attitude before we walk out that door."

"The kids deserve the money no matter what," said Dr. Margaret Quinones, who also sits on the school board.

But concerns about the district's credibility lingered.

"There has to be a community vision, something where people come together that we can all get behind," said former planning commissioner Frank Gruber, who is a member of the group. "There's a reality out there in the community."

"We're here to raise more money without qualification as a group," said land use attorney Chris Harding, who also is a member. "Unless we see more accountability, it will be difficult to raise money. It will be hard to raise funding if there is dissatisfaction."

"I'm in touch with a great deal of dissatisfaction," said Frank Schweitzer, a parent who is a member of the Monday group of dissatisfied parents. "In terms of dealing with the community, it's a mistake to deny it."

Craig Hamilton, a former member of the Monday group who uncovered the district's latest $1 million shortfall, wrote down the public's comments and suggestions in precise handwriting on a large sheet.

The suggestions included raising the parcel tax even more, placing large sums of money in an interest bearing account and asking the teachers union to lobby state officials.

"I hope with this group we can create a substantial fund for the school district, so we don't have to go to City Hall or the state," said Rent Control Board chair Bruria Finkel. "We should have a $20 million fund that would not be touched unless there is an emergency."

"We need an ongoing stream of $10 million," said PTA president Rick Gates, who is a member of the group. "They've always been playing defense with little money. We need to talk to the federal government, to Sacramento. We're not trying to be another school board."

"Let's have an important dialogue about accountability," said former Mayor Dennis Zane, who also is a member of the "Friday Group," "but let's fundamentally address the resources for the kids. Let's set aside those differences and mobilize for the resources."

Community for Excellent Public Schools will hold two "Community Conversations" in May and one in June. The topics will be "Where Are We?" (May 17 at McKinley Elementary),"Where Do We Want to Be?" (May 31 at John Muir Elementary/SMASH) and "How Do WE Get There?" (June 15 at McKinley).

The meetings are at 7 p.m. For more information call 586-4499.