SMMUSD Adjourns May 18 Board Meeting to a Later Date

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education wishes to express its regret for adjourning the Board meeting of May 18, 2006 shortly after it started.

The meeting, which was held in the City Council Chambers at Santa Monica City Hall, was attended by a large number of Santa Monica High School students who wished to listen to a report about Samohi redesign and to share their views about their school with the Board.

Due to insufficient seating for the large crowd, the Santa Monica Fire Department asked those without seats to clear the room, as required by fire safety regulations. City Hall has closed circuit television in the lobby so that overflow crowds can watch public meetings.

Unfortunately, the closed-circuit system was not operating and could not be repaired, despite the best efforts of our District staff and City TV crew. Adjourning the meeting was the best option, given the inability to provide access to all members of the public who wished to participate in the meeting.

The Board thanks the Santa Monica High School students for their interest in their school and in the workings of the Board. The Board also thanks the Fire Department for its assistance. The Board will hear the item about Samohi at its next meeting, scheduled for June 1, which will be held in a venue that can accommodate a larger audience.

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District