Malibu Councilman Skylar Peak Backs Bond Measure ES

Malibu City Councilman Skylar Peak on Monday endorsed a $385 million school bond measure that will go before voters this November.

"I think education is one of the most important things we have in the community," Peak said, adding that he believes the bond measure will provide needed funds to provide technology to Malibu schools.

Measure ES is meant to provide a portion of $1 billion of needed improvements at schools in Santa Monica and Malibu, according to assessments by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

The proposed bond would cost home owners an average $185 per year for up to 30 years, at a rate of $30 per $100,000 of assessed value. So for Malibu homes worth $1 million, the cost would be about $300.

The monies would only be used for public works projects and facility improvements. The bond could not be used to fund teacher or other employee salaries.

Peak spoke during the public comment section of Malibu's City Council meeting.

The Malibu City Council has not taken a position on the measure, which includes a provision to give 20 percent of the funds to Malibu schools. Advocates for Malibu Public Schools also has not taken a position on the bond measure.

The Santa Monica City Council voted to back the measure at an August meeting. 

Two other education measures are on the ballot for this November, including Gov. Jerry Brown Proposition 30 and activist Molly Munger's Proposition 38. If both tax initiatives do not pass, the school district could face up to $10 million in additional cuts next year.

Editor's Note: More information has been added to clarify the possible cost for Malibu homeowners.