SMMUSD Board Unanimously ApproveD SCHOOL Separation Package AGREEMENTS.
Malibu City Council to Vote MONDAY, December 8
The Malibu City Council will vote on the school separation agreement package on Monday, December 8, 5:30 PM at the City Council meeting, at Malibu City Hall, and remotely via Zoom, and live streaming on YouTube. Meeting links and details are posted at MalibuCity.org/AgendaCenter.
On December 1, 2025, the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the separation package—three foundational agreements that define the financial, operational, and governance frameworks needed to move forward with creating an independent Malibu Unified School District (MUSD).
The vote represents a major milestone in Malibu’s decades-long effort to achieve local control over its public schools. The City of Malibu and SMMUSD both continued to agree to strive for the best interests of students in both communities.
During the special meeting, SMMUSD’s legal counsel and financial consultants presented the full separation package, reviewed the mediation process, and summarized the terms of all three agreements:
• Property Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement – Establishes how property tax revenues will be allocated between the two future districts.
• Operational Transfer Agreement – Outlines the transition of staffing, facilities, programs, and services from SMMUSD to the new districts.
• Joint Powers Agreement – Creates a shared governance structure to oversee and coordinate the transition process.
Roughly six members of the public provided comments in person, with two additional online comments. Among the public speakers was the president of the teachers' union, which took a neutral stance and urged the Board to prioritize the best interests of students and teachers.
Board members emphasized that approving the separation package benefits students in both communities by allowing each new district to focus on its distinct needs, priorities, and long-term planning. While further work remains—including special legislation and future actions—members recognized that this vote represents a pivotal accomplishment.
“Last night’s unanimous approval is a historic milestone that brings Malibu one step closer to achieving the local control our community has worked toward for so many years,” said Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins. “This is a victory for the future of students in both Malibu and Santa Monica, and we are grateful for the board’s thoughtful consideration and leadership.”
For more information and to see the complete agreements and FAQs, visit MalibuCity.org/MUSD.