Con: "I have been in this district for 30+ years. I have watched this district go from school starting at 9:00 am and Letting out at 2:15 pm with no before or after school programs, no art, no music, and the consideration of selling off school sites to where it is today.

The families of Malibu up to this year have been donating to the PTA which has been shared with the whole district, but at the same time, the city council (SM) has contributed $52.5 million or there abouts each year. I think that they need each other to support the kinds of programs that they have today.

I do think the new board NEEDS to be aware of Malibu and BE THERE, but I don’t think to divide the district is a healthy move, though both Malibu and Santa Monica city officials talk about it."

Con: "This is one of the reason's I am running for this office, and it will take more than 100-200 words to say why. Malibu needs to be paid attention too, the issues are more than just environmental, but with 4 teachers being down with thyroid cancer, 14 more teachers and staff ill since last Sept and 4 grads from the class of 2003 infected, something needs to be done. This issue is going to get a lot bigger. There is an issue with 'conflict of interest' with the legal counsel hired, and it is difficult to speak without the information before me, but I know there is a rat somewhere in this equation, and something is brutally wrong."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The average private school class is about 20-22 students. Public Schools can not be held on the same standard and while it could be reduced, I don't think it is the districts most pressing issue at the moment."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I need to defer on this question because I don't know enough to make a comment. From what I see from the VAPA DAC board, it looks OK, but that is from a distance."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I think this question has to more clearly defined. I am not sure what level of discipline we are talking about, but for purposes of this question here, I will take the position that we are talking about serious. I really need to understand what is being discussed.

I think we need to look at what causes the discipline issues to begin with. These are KIDS. Kids do stupid things, and to destroy them with criminal records, unless it is really warranted, and keep them from reaching their goals is not the best move. When kids are disciplined or charged criminally, they will lose all opportunities to go to college because they are not eligible for any federal or state funding -- making going to college or a trade school impossible, and then that leads to more issues. I like this idea I am hearing about counseling students, and trying to understand what issues are in their lives, because it is possible they can get help.

I know with the kids I work with from Santa Monica, I can calm things down pretty quickly and get them on the right road within hours. I get calls about depression, shutting down, being fearful, stressed, etc. There is a lot expected of young teenagers today, and we have to help them cope."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "The PTA up to this year has supported schools, as of this year, the efforts of the PTA have been redefined. When you hear the numbers the school board spends each year, they need support from each and every source."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I think Students should exercise and keep healthy, but they also need to have balance in their lives. Those who have balance are successful, and I think we are overloading kids with too much today. I am more concerned with the pressure that kids are feeling to 'do it all'."

Pro: "There is no getting away from this. The days of having a teacher as the 'expert' and waiting for her class to fill rows of seats is over. Today, we need to see teachers as those who bring engagement, innovation, and creativity to a classroom. Students are not waiting for curriculum to be delivered; they are going to Google, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest for answers.

We are and have been for the past few years transitioning from the Industrial Era where you learned about plows and wheels to the Technology Era where we now are looking at ways to use technology to run the plows and wheels more efficiently. We have to equip our students with the technology they need to not only do well in school and climb their own academic ladder, but to be able to have life skills to function in the 21st Century.

Teachers hate change, and they will find the common core foundation of this change that is layered with technology, but they can not avoid it now because technology is here to stay and by 2020, it is said that information will change as fast as every 73 days."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I support the teams where I can, I have not heard a lot of complaints, nor do I have information to rely on to determine yeah or nay."

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "I think this is a compound question. If I was asked about Santa Monica, I would say YES or PRO.

If you were asking about Malibu, my answer would be CON or No.

Malibu needs attention, and the district ignores it. It's getting a little better, but it has a long way to go. Last year WASC did not accredit Malibu schools. I think it was Malibu High for several reasons. When accrediting committees are coming around, everyone – teachers, staff, parents, students, and all others HAVE TO BE ON BOARD. I have been through several accreditations and why the schools don't pass I don’t know, but the new board HAS TO PAY ATTENTION!"

Not Clearly Pro or Con: "One of my students from Santa Monica was a black, homeless on occasion, and transgender student. There was an effort from our private efforts to get this student into a summer program at Harvard, and with a lot of fingerprints being placed on this child; he entered Dartmouth on a full scholarship last year.

I know the next student was significantly below where this student was, and it made me question. I think that there probably can be more. I like to work with those disadvantage students where I can, and 20% of my business focuses on these students on a pro bono basis.

I wish there was more effort on the district part to incorporate more private sectors professionals into the district instead of shutting them out."