Santa Monica : Board Rejects Budget Plan

The Santa Monica-Malibu school board Monday night rejected a budget advisory committee’s recommendation that it request $3.1 million from Santa Monica--an amount double the city’s current allocation for 1991-92.

Board members said they plan to ask for more than the $1.5 million that Santa Monica has already committed, but the committee’s recommendation would be unrealistic.

“So large a request would be perceived very negatively by many people in the community,” said Supt. Eugene Tucker.

The board will meet next week to determine an exact amount to request from Santa Monica. Board President Patricia Hoffman said Wednesday that she anticipates the board will ask for an additional $500,000 to $750,000.

The committee also recommended that the board ask Malibu to contribute $400 for each of its students, but board members said that would not be feasible.

“Malibu is a new city. It’s highly unlikely that for the next couple of years they’ll be able to give anything in terms of direct contribution,” Tucker said.