Dramatic Pleas for More School Funding Fail to Sway Council

By Erica Williams

Jan. 15 -- Parents and students swarmed City Hall in record numbers Tuesday evening, but their unprecedented show of force failed to convince the City Council to double its allocation to a cash-strapped school district facing major cuts.

The demonstrators -- who blanketed the City Hall lawn, then snaked past the dais holding placards and chanting "Save Our Schools" -- were hoping that the council would help fill a looming $12 million budget gap in the next school year by doubling its annual funding to $7 million.

But the council -- which is facing a $12 million to $15 million shortfall of its own, in part also due to an historic $34.8 billion State budget gap -- did not succumb to community pressure to make an immediate decision.

Instead the council deferred any decisions on boosting funding to the district and voted unanimously to direct staff to report back with a detailed study of current levels of funding for schools, youth programs and services.

After hearing from several dozen parents and students, Councilman Herb Katz opened the half-hour discussion by urging his colleagues to agree to the demonstrators' demands.

More than 1,000 residents had just sent a clear message that they wanted the City to make education funding its priority, Katz said, and the Council should find a way to make it happen.

"One thing I feel is imperative is we find a way to get another $3.5 million for our schools," Katz said.

Councilman Ken Genser joined Katz in urging the Council to "strive to do more than we've done."

But Mayor Richard Bloom objected to Katz's proposal to double the funding, and Councilman Bob Holbrook added that such a move would increase the City's projected deficit to more than $16 million.

Noting the sizable crowd, Council member Pam O'Connor argued that 500 residents could also have showed up to lobby for more affordable housing and urged the Council to take a more measured approach, delaying any decision.

"We can't say yes to one thing unless we know what would be the impact," O'Connor said.

Councilman Michael Feinstein worried that many in the community have come to see the City as a bottomless money pit. He recommended that the school district follow procedure and proceed with its fundraising efforts first -- including placing a new parcel tax on a special election ballot in June -- and then look to the City for "complementary" funding.

"Regardless of how cool and progressive we are, to do it backwards is backwards," Feinstein said.

(Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown recused himself because he is a paid computer consultant for the district.)

Before the council members took up the issue, they heard from parents and students who participated in a demonstration school officials estimated was attended by more than 1,000 people.

Parents with preschoolers perched on their hips and surrounded by their school-age kids filled the City Hall lawn with choruses of "Save Our Schools" that at times reached fever pitch. They then launched into a 45-minute-long, vocal procession through the Council Chambers prior to the 7 p.m. start of the meeting, holding signs that read "Double Your Love" and "Save My Teacher."

During public testimony, School Board member Jose Escarce, a RAND Corporation researcher, told the council that the city's financial woes paled in comparison to those facing the district, adding that Santa Monica was "astonishingly fortunate."

Escarce cited a report published in the LA Business Journal that showed Santa Monica allocates more money from its general fund per resident -- $2,000 -- than any of the other 24 cities in LA County with populations greater than 70,000. (Pasadena, its closest competitor, allocated $1,200 per resident.)

Yet, Escarce said, the City's contribution to schools is only $40 per resident. The City, Escarce said, clearly can afford to give more money for education, and he reminded the council that the fates of communities are directly linked to schools.

"We are often tempted to maintain strict separation between cities and schools, but this is deeply misguided for the fates of communities are inextricably linked to the fates of public schools," Escarce said. "Simply put, good schools make for good communities, poorly funded public schools don't."

Shari Davis, vice chair of the School Board's Parcel Tax Committee, which changed its name to "Save Our Schools," said the City's commitment would help pass a parcel tax likely to go before voters in June that would pump an estimated $6.5 million a year into the district.

"It will take a commitment by taxpayers," Davis said. "I believe we will do our best to successfully pass a parcel tax as soon as possible so allow us to tell the voters during the campaign to come that the city of Santa Monica made a gargantuan effort as well."

John Petz, a member of the parcel tax committee, suggested that the council consider using the $3 million City officials estimated it would cost to implement Santa Monica's pioneering Living Wage law, which was defeated by voters in a November referendum.

Petz chided the Council, saying that if they had the "political will," they would find a way to support the schools. "In these crucial times where we've got a district that's reeling through no fault of its own, not as a result of any mismanagement, strictly as a result of the lack of funding," Petz said, "I ask that you find the political will to support the schools."

"Quality schools are the bedrock of any quality community," Petz added. "The property values in this town rise proportionately. Please come up with the money."

Cheri Orgel, president of the PTA Council, which organized the event, agreed. "The quality of our schools directly influences property values, and strong property values are of direct benefit to our city. We didn't come before you this evening to imply your work is easy. We just hope your decision is."

Former PTA Council President Rick Gates urged the Council to "find the funds to make our schools whole now," while Lance Simmons, who described himself as a concerned parent, urged the council to keep in mind its stated commitment to sustainability, a value that includes education.

The council's reaction to the demands and arguments presented by the speakers should have come as no surprise, given the comments of City Manager Susan McCarthy during the City budget presentation earlier in the evening.

McCarthy put a damper on hopes for more funding when, looking directly at supporters at the back of the room, she gently urged them to lower their expectations for more funding from the City.

McCarthy and council members agreed that painful decisions and tough choices would have to be made over the next six months as the City considers its funding priorities before finalizing a budget in June.