School board extends superintendent contract by one year
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education pushed the superintendent’s deal to June 30, 2029 and kept a $23,000 annual tax shelter annuity in place.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — amendment to superintendent employment agreement (extension, reading of final settlement agreement (unilateral, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The board finished its 2025–2026 evaluation process by adding one year to the superintendent’s contract and leaving the rest of the agreement unchanged.
One vote stretched the district’s top contract another year. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved an amendment to the superintendent’s employment agreement, extending its expiration date from June 30, 2028 to June 30, 2029. In open session, the presiding officer said the superintendent’s compensation includes a tax shelter annuity of $23,000 per contract year and said the agreement would continue through the new end date.
The board framed the item as the completion of the superintendent’s 2025–2026 performance evaluation and the related contract amendment. The presiding officer said the agreement’s terms and conditions were not modified and would remain in full force and effect through June 30, 2029. The transcript does not include any added discussion of the evaluation itself or any other contract changes beyond the extension and the stated compensation element.
A motion came from Richard and a second from Stacy before the board voted to approve the item. The presiding officer noted that student board members do not vote on employment matters. With the amendment adopted, the superintendent’s current agreement now runs one year longer, and the rest of its terms stay in place as written.
Reading of Final Settlement Agreement (Unilateral Private Placement Reimbursement and Attorney Fees)
The board opened with a settlement summary and a clean vote. In open session, the Board President read a final settlement agreement identified as DN10002-26-27 into the record.
Under that agreement, the district will reimburse a student’s parents for a unilateral private placement school in an amount not to exceed $27,000. The summary said that money could be used for tuition, including mastery classes, but not for a convenience fee, registration fee, or activity fee. The district also agreed to pay reasonable attorney fees and costs in an amount not to exceed $4,725.
John Keane made the motion and Maria Leon Vasquez seconded it. The vote was 4-0, with no abstentions and three members absent at the time of the vote. The transcript does not show any further discussion of the settlement beyond the terms read aloud in open session.
Speaker presses board on cameras and drones
During general public comment, a Malibu PTSA leader urged the board to set clearer rules for security cameras and drones on Malibu and Santa Monica campuses. The speaker asked for transparency, expert input, audits, and strict standards for how images and data are stored, used, and deleted.
A speaker urged stronger campus camera and drone privacy rules, audits, and oversight.
Workers air contract and timing complaints
Speakers on item J1 pressed the district over classified wages, benefits, assigned hours, grievances, and alleged workplace misconduct in food services. Public comment was briefly interrupted by a dispute over a timestamped item and whether delaying it would violate the Brown Act.
Multiple speakers raised classified staff pay, benefits, workplace conduct, and Brown Act timing concerns.
Board creates manager role for district technology
The board approved a new classified management position, Manager of Information Services, to oversee infrastructure and cybersecurity across 15 sites. Staff said the district’s systems have grown more complex, and a February 2026 technical review pointed to the need for dedicated support.
The board created a Manager of Information Services position for districtwide technology and cybersecurity needs.
Superintendent flags tech survey and meal forms
In the superintendent’s report, district leaders marked the August 20 start of school, campus visits, and the next phase of an instructional technology review. The superintendent said the working group reviewed 1,552 family and community responses and 143 staff responses, and reminded families to complete meal applications.
The superintendent recapped school opening, facilities visits, tech-group work, and meal application reminders.
- Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education. The presiding officer asked if anyone else wished to speak during general public comment. No additional speakers came forward.
- Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education. A speaker during general public comment urged transparency and stronger policies regarding security cameras and drones on campuses, emphasizing privacy protections, data handling standards, and oversight to avoid creating a surveillance system. The speaker requested the Board prioritize the issue with expert input and audits.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
SANTA MONICA had 12 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEFinancial Oversight Committee (FOC) Annual Report and Subcommittee Reports. District staff and the Financial Oversight Committee presented the annual report, introduced members (including new community and student members), and summarized work across multiple charges: budget recommendations, unfunded liabilities, bond oversight, financial communications, Malibu unification/separation agreements review, Measure R reporting, and nominations/student application process recommendations.
- GOVERNANCEInformation Item Mention: Agreement with Santa Monica College (Career Access Pathways). The presiding officer referenced an information item described as an agreement with Santa Monica College related to career access pathways and indicated it was among remaining agenda items for review.
- GOVERNANCEChange of Date for Regular Meeting (October 2026). The Board approved a change to the date of a regular meeting in October 2026. One board member stated they could not approve; the motion otherwise passed.
- GOVERNANCESanta Monica Education Foundation (SMEF) Golden Plane Award Presentations. SMEF presented Golden Plane Awards recognizing schools with the highest participation in SMEF annual giving. Awards were announced for an elementary school, a middle school, and a Samo High house, with participation percentages and acknowledgments of school leaders and volunteers.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of Resolution No. 266 Celebrating Labor Day and District Workforce. The Board adopted Resolution No. 266 celebrating Labor Day and recognizing district employees and unions for their work serving students, families, and school communities.
- GOVERNANCEBoard Member Comments. A board member made a brief comment recognizing Dolly Parton as an American hero and contributor. No other board member comments are reflected in the transcript.
- GOVERNANCENo additional public speakers came forward. At two points in the meeting, the presiding officer checked for additional public comment speakers. No extra speakers came forward at either point, though one person was noted for later general public comment.
- GOVERNANCEAgenda Item J3 (Deferred/Skipped Temporarily). The presiding officer stated they would read item J3 but then indicated it would be skipped for the moment. No action or discussion on J3 appears in the transcript segment provided.
- GOVERNANCEBoard reviews broad policy updates. Staff presented multiple policy updates to align district rules with new laws and CSBA guidance. The changes covered equity and non-discrimination, school site councils, charter school oversight, facilities and construction procedures, and food and nutrition services requirements.
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