Maintaining High-Quality Education in Santa Monica-Malibu Schools

School facilities play an essential part in educating students. The quality of the classrooms, support spaces, and grounds has an impact on instruction and learning. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is committed to maintaining and improving school facilities to support today's and tomorrow’s learning.

Safe, Well-Maintained Schools

Most of the SMMUSD funding for capital improvements to school facilities comes from voter-approved General Obligation Bond Measures. Bond funds are paid for by property owners as a property tax. This is based on the assessed value of the property as determined by the tax collector rather than the market value.

Bond measures follow Prop 39 requirements. These include:

• Allowed on even election years, primary and general elections
• Authorizes bonds for repair, construction or replacement of school facilities and classrooms, if approved by 55% local vote for projects evaluated by schools for safety, class size, and information technology needs
• Accountability requirements include annual performance and financial audits on the use of bond proceeds, including the Bond Oversight Committee
• Prohibits use of bond proceeds for general fund expenses, salaries or operating expenses.

Since 2018, SMMUSD split the district in two School Facility Improvement Districts (SFID). SFID#1 is for Santa Monica Public Schools and is approved by Santa Monica voters. SFID#2 is for Malibu Public Schools and in approved by Malibu voters and the voters in the unincorporated areas of the district.

Measure QS

The Board of Education voted on July 24, 2024, to place a general obligation bond on the November 5, 2024 ballot for SFID#1 (Santa Monica) for $495M. Estimated 3 cents/$100 of assessed (not market) value. (Or $28.70 per $100,000 of assessed value). 

Based on an assessment of facility needs, the school board committed to these priorities:

• Elementary and Middle School Emphasis
• Portable and Modular Classroom Replacement
• Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten
• Safety and Security
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Facilities
• Libraries, Arts and other Whole Child Learning Facilities

The district has completed campus assessments and plans to develop the project list. The plans and initial projects have been discussed extensively with school sites, parents, community members, and other educational partners. The projects have been approved by the Board of Education. Many of the projects have been designed, submitted to the Division of the State Architect (DSA), completed California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, hired a contractor, and/or near to being shovel ready.

The QS (Santa Monica) Project List (for more details)

• Grant Elementary - Early Education (TK) Expansion and Library Modernization
  • Designed, Submitted to DSA, CEQA complete, Contractor hired
  • Scheduled to begin construction December 2024
• Grant Elementary - New Classroom Building
  • Designed, CEQA complete, Contractor hired
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2025
• Roosevelt Elementary New Library and Early Education Building
  • Designed, Submitted to DSA, CEQA in process, Contractor hired
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2025
• Franklin Elementary New Early Education Building & Field Modernization
  • In Design, CEQA in process
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2026
• Ocean Park Neighborhood School (formerly Muir/SMASH) - New School Modifications
  • Designed, Submitted to DSA, CEQA complete, Contractor hired
  • Scheduled to begin construction December 2024
• Lincoln Middle – 500s/Shops Building Modernization
  • In Design, CEQA, a Contractor is hired
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2025
• John Adams Middle – New STEM Building & Gymnasium Locker Room Modernization
  • In Design, CEQA complete, Contractor hired
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2025
• Santa Monica High School – New Student Services/Student Center Building
  • In Preliminary Design, CEQA completed
  • Scheduled to begin construction January 2026

For more information on these Measure QS projects and other potential projects LINK https://www.smmusd.org/cms/lib/CA50000164/Centricity/Domain/4170/MeasureQS-ProjectList.pdf

Measure MM

The Board of Education voted on July 24, 2024 to place a general obligation bond on the November 5^th ballot for SFID#2 (Malibu) for $395M. Estimated 4 cents/$100 of assessed (not market) value. (Or $39.95 per $100,000 of assessed value). Based on an assessment of facility needs, the Board committed to these priorities:

• School Safety and Security Upgrades
• Repairing, Upgrading, Modernizing and Replacing Aging School Facilities
• Technology and Science Modernization Projects
• Renovations, Upgrades and Improvements to School Sites/Ground and Physical Education/Athletic Facilities
• Construct Facilities to Support a potential Malibu Unified School District

The district developed the Malibu Campus Plan to separate and complete the Malibu Middle and Malibu High School campuses. The first phase, Malibu High main building, is under construction with Measure M funding, planned opening by January 2026. Following completion, the current high school building (K) and Art building (I) will be demolished along with removing temporary portables. Measure MM will complete the campus plan.

The MM (Malibu) Project List (for more details)

Phase 2

• New Middle School Building, including Innovation Lab, Kitchen/Dining Area, Special Education Life Skills Suite, and Wellness Center
  • In Design
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2026
• New Middle School Gymnasium/Multi-Purpose Room
  • In Design
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2026
• New Pool, Aquatics Center, and Field Support Building
  • In Design
  • Scheduled to begin construction June 2026

Phase 3

• Modernization of High School Gymnasium
• New Performing Arts Center and Career Tech Facility
• Parking, Field and Site Work

Webster & Malibu Elementary Schools

• Campus Assessments and Campus Planning

Facility Issues – Capital Projects

• Replace Leaking Roofs
• Upgrade Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Systems
• Replace Exterior surfaces
• Security & Safety Measures
• Technology Upgrades
• Energy Infrastructure

Potential Malibu Unified School District

• Temporary District Office
• Bus Barn
• Maintenance Facility

For more information on these Malibu Measure MM Projects and other potential projects [LINK coming soon.]