District flags payroll problems before school year opens
With classes set to begin August 20, district leaders paired back-to-school updates with warnings from both unions about paycheck errors and strain from a new HR system.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — district reports school-year start and payroll, city manager announcements, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The school year is days away, but union leaders said some employees are still dealing with inaccurate paychecks, unresolved contract issues, and heavier workloads tied to the transition.
The school year starts in less than a week. At the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education meeting, the superintendent laid out the August 20 opening date, new learning spaces, convocation plans, the timing of an instructional technology survey, and a familiar reminder for families to complete meal applications.
That routine back-to-school checklist shared the agenda with a less routine problem. Both unions used their time to raise concerns about the district's payroll and HR system transition. SEIU said some workers received inaccurate paychecks and said contract issues remain unresolved. SMMCTA described workload strain tied to the changeover, adding another warning sign as campuses prepare to reopen.
The meeting left two tracks running at once. District leaders are pushing ahead with the practical work of opening schools on August 20, while labor groups are pressing for fixes to pay and staffing systems that affect employees before students return. The technology survey and meal application push will continue as part of the opening-week rollout, and the payroll concerns are likely to stay in view until workers see the problems resolved.
City Manager announcements: restorative justice, renters aid deadline, and adoptable pet update
City Hall used its announcements to tie together history, deadlines, and one small success story. Staff said the renaming of part of Cinte Terrace to Silas White Street is part of the city's restorative justice work and a way to honor Silas White's legacy.
Staff said a community gathering with family members and others involved in that effort helped mark the street renaming, and said Restorative Justice Commission activities were set to begin later in the week and continue over the next couple of months. The city paired that update with a practical reminder: the first round of the renters aid program closes August 20, and eligible residents were urged to apply through SantaMonica.gov.
There was one lighter note. Arthur, a 5-year-old terrier mix who had appeared at National Night Out and was expected to be featured at the council meeting, was adopted before the meeting began. Staff called it the first adoption success tied to the council's adoptable pet feature and encouraged residents to contact the Santa Monica Animal Shelter and support the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Foundation.
Board advances broad policy update package
The board took a first look at policy revisions covering operations, facilities, and fiscal services. The package touched drone use, emergency preparedness, waste and water rules, inspections, restroom compliance, grants, debt collection, travel guidance, and student activity funds, with later action still ahead.
These policy changes govern safety, facilities compliance, and money handling across the district before final board approval.
Council approves consent calendar after comments
The council heard public comments on homelessness enforcement, public safety, a Trapeze School license at Clover Park, and speaking accommodations before voting. It then approved the consent calendar as a block, with one item pulled for separate consideration and several recusals announced.
This is where routine city business moved forward after public comment, with recusals affecting who voted on some items.
Commissioners cite canceled meetings, quorum issues
Commissioners used their reports to sketch a wider picture of city boards that did not always meet as planned. They pointed to canceled Planning and Landmarks meetings, Architectural Review Board discussion of major housing projects, and Arts Commission problems with quorum and late cancellation notices.
Residents tracking housing projects or city commission access get notice of canceled meetings and where major proposals are being discussed.
PTA Council readies schools and campaign
The PTA Council said local PTAs are preparing welcome-back events, leadership training, membership renewals, and the Reflections arts program for the new school year. The group also announced a Board of Education candidates forum on September 29 and described support plans for the November education funding measure.
PTA announced a September 29 school board candidates forum and support for funding measures.
- Santa Monica City Council. Before the consent calendar vote, speakers commented on homelessness emergency enforcement and public safety, opposition to a Trapeze School license at Clover Park, general homelessness policy questions, and a complaint about interruptions and requested accommodations related to speaking.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
SANTA MONICA had 25 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECouncil discretionary funds support for Santa Monica College women’s soccer program. Council approved a request to use discretionary funds to support the Santa Monica College women’s soccer program through the college foundation, described as helping close a fundraising gap and supporting excellence in student athletics.
- GOVERNANCECommission plans October public hearing and future presentations. Commissioners discussed future agenda planning, including possible presentations from the Westside Regional Center, legislative updates, and city officials. They also reviewed preparations for the October 14 annual public hearing, including transportation support, outreach, presenters, and whether virtual participation would be feasible.
- GOVERNANCEAssignment of receivables for delinquent property taxes. The board adopted Resolution No. 2605 approving assignment of receivables to facilitate collection of delinquent property taxes through a third-party entity. Staff stated this is a recurring item (every three years) and supports continued receipt of delinquent property tax revenue.
- GOVERNANCECommission weighs work plan, staffing, and new accessibility focus areas. Commissioners reviewed a draft FY 2026–27 work plan that emphasized filling a full-time ADA Coordinator role and creating an in-house digital accessibility position. They also discussed possible ad hoc committees or liaison roles focused on disabled parking in new developments and reasonable accommodation policy and training.
- GOVERNANCECommissioner Announcements and Community Resources. Commissioners shared multiple community resources and policy updates, including the Santa Monica Renters Aid Program application window, California’s Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform milestone, emergency preparedness resources, new ADA requirements for accessible medical diagnostic equipment, Disability Rights California’s budget summary, SNAP policy/data resources, and several civil rights and reasonable accommodation guidance links.
- GOVERNANCEStudent board member report (Malibu High School). Student board member Parker Kaplan reported on summer school, teacher professional development (including project-based learning and new math textbooks), construction at Malibu High School and middle school areas, and ASB preparations including “Get Stuff Day” on August 13, a leadership boot camp, and an annual staff luncheon.
- GOVERNANCEMayor’s Highlight recognizing Public Works HOST team and Downtown Maintenance staff. The Mayor recognized Public Works’ Downtown Maintenance Division Homeless Support Team (HOST) and highlighted five employees for their work supporting encampment response and public space restoration, including reported removal totals and the team’s operational history since September 2023.
- GOVERNANCECouncil travel and event announcements. Council members reported attending a young elected officials conference in Marina del Rey and an installation dinner related to Cal Cities/LA County board leadership, noting the purpose was policy implementation and inter-jurisdictional learning.
- GOVERNANCEConsent agenda approval (with clarification on convocation/communications services contract). The board approved the consent agenda. During discussion, board members and staff clarified that a public comment describing a “$40,000 DJ” was inaccurate; staff described the contract as broader services including multimedia content and professional development support, with an estimate/quote referenced as $32,000. The student board member abstained.
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