By McLean Grimes
Executive News Editor
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) Board held a meeting on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the MBUSD District Office where they gave an update on the governor’s budget proposal.
The only discussion item at the meeting was a budget update, presented by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Murakawa-Leopard in a Zoom meeting. The update was on a $26 billion shortfall of state tax revenues and subsequent proposed budget cuts made by Governor Newsom, which will impact MBUSD classrooms. However, these are not new cuts and will not impact core classes. The cuts overall come from Proposition 98, which was passed in 1988 and creates a minimum level of guaranteed funding for all CA K-12 schools and community colleges.
“There is probably some push back around this calculation–it is very complex,” said Murakawa-Leopard. “Proposition 98 is one of those mechanisms that very few people fully understand so it takes a lot of work to sort of dig in and have conversations around this mechanism that make sense and that work for everyone.”
There was also a performance by Mira Costa’s Vocal Ensemble Choir who sang “Running Up That Hill” and “Lift Me Up.” Next, Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) student board member Tara Shivpuri and Costa student board members, seniors Emma Darrow and Sophia Delino updated the board on recent and upcoming activities at their schools.
“I loved performing both pieces because they were a cappella, meaning it was more important to stay connected with each other as we were performing,” said senior choir member Jessilyn Reyes. “Based on the audience’s reaction, I think we demonstrated to the board meeting how learning music is integral to the education process.”
The meeting was then opened to public comment. The six comments made mainly voiced support of the upcoming Measure MB parcel tax that is on the upcoming ballots on March 5. Additionally, MBMS teacher Stacy Cooke spoke to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Tom Stekol’s, unprofessional behavior.
“As a community we must come together to retain exceptional teachers, keep class sizes manageable and protect excellent core academic programs in Math, Science, Reading, Writing and Technology,” said Jen Dohner in her public comment. “The quality of our children’s education will bear the impact of this election result.”
Superintendent Dr. Johnathan Bowes then gave announcements about several recent events in MBUSD including Cos- ta’s Scuba Club receiving a check from the West Basin and several students at Costa who are being recognized for either musical skills or entrepreneurship. He also mentioned that Costa’s Drama/Tech started rehearsing for “Footloose.”
“January is school board recognition month,” said board member Jen Fenton in her update. “Colleagues, partners in the districts, I appreciate you while balancing the needs of our students, our staff, curriculum, program initiatives and policy reforms. Each and every meeting we show up, we come prepared, we are engaged, we even smile and laugh together, so just know I appreciate you out here trying to achieve our goals.”
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