Alterations in state funding put Samo’s ROP program in jeopardy

Due to changes in how California schools are funded, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) is considering significant cuts to the district’s Regional Occupational Programs (ROP).ROP classes, such as Film/Video, Virtual Enterprise, Business Management, Digital Design, Auto Shop, Photography and Dance, provide practical skill-based instruction for students interested in alternative career options.Although California has not stopped providing funding for programs like ROP, in 2009, the State of California ruled that individual school districts should be endowed with more freedom as to how to allocate their funding. Instead of giving school districts money with specific directions for its allocation, the state decided to give districts a lump sum of money and the freedom to control how it’s spent. The ROP funding for the SMMUSD along with 22 other districts actually goes from the CA Department of Education, to the Los Angeles County

Office of Education and then is disbursed to the districts.According to Governor Jerry Brown, this new funding system, called Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), lets districts and county offices of educa- tion choose where to allocate money, creating a more targeted and efficient use of funds. In a press release during the bill’s signing, Governor Brown outlined the virtues of the bill.“We are bringing government closer to the classroom where real decisions are made and directing the money where the need and the challenge is greatest.” Brown said.In December, the Los Angeles County Office (LACOE) notified the 23 districts including SMMUSD they would no longer forward ROP funding to the districts. LACOE is choosing to use the funds previously designated for ROP for other services within their organization. This withdrawal of funding put an additional financial burden on school districts that wish to maintain ROP opportunities for students. Districts will now need to find ways to budget for increased costs within district budgets if the wish to continue to operate ROP programs. SMMUSD Chief Financial Officer

Jan Maez explained that these cuts to the ROP program are important to balancing the books of the district for years to come.“Funding has improved but it continues to be limited and there continues to be a lot of uncertainty about what the actual state budget is going to look like. Budget reductions are going to be necessary over time. We’re not out of the woods.” Maez said.In response to the possible cuts, teachers, union officials and affected students have been emailing board members, attempting to raise awareness on campus and planning to attend and speak at future School Board meetings. Com- munity leaders hope to successfully petition the Board to maintain the programs.Lexi Davis (‘15) has worked through the ROP program as a host of the show Samohilights, a City TV talk show de- voted to interesting people and programs at Samo. Davis believes Samohilights wouldn’t have been available to her had the ROP program not existed.“By participating in City TV, a real televised production, at such a young age, I’ve set myself a part from other people who want to pursue the same career as I do.” Davis said.

Other threatened ROP programs include Intro to Mar- keting in which students learn the fundamentals of business and marketing while running “Seflora,” a floral design busi- ness and Virtual Business, which allows students to run and operate their own “mock” business.Jason Funston (‘16), a stu- dent in Virtual Business, is CEO of the company “Pheressence”, a company that sells a fragrance designed to boost confidence. According to Funston, Virtual Business has taught him the fundamentals of a running a business as well as the communication skills needed to keep it successful.

“I have not only learned business related knowledge such as creating a business plan or understanding cash flow but I have also learned to use teamwork to reach a common goal with my peers,” Funston said.At the January 20th school board meeting, teachers and students appeared before the board in attempts to prevent possible cuts. However, ROP cuts were not a pre-arranged agenda item at the meeting, limiting the ability of the board to spend time further discussing the issue.“You guys are so beautiful and so brave to come here tonight...don’t be afraid to speak up, one person can make a difference.” SMMUSD School Board member Craig Foster said.

Board Member Maria Leon Vazquez also expressed confusion over the fact that performing arts like dance and theater are funded through ROP.“It feels like we have a lot of programs that fit more into the arts arena than career and technical education...If a program falls under the arts, then they should be funded as an art.” Vazquez said.The Board will discuss the future of the ROP program at the February 5 meeting at Malibu City Hall.jsadler@thesamohi.com