09/15/2025
Hi all,
Please see the attached letter from Bill Sampson (President, Malibu Township Council) and details on an important meeting this Tuesday, Sept 16 at 4:30 pm at the new Malibu High School (first floor “maker space”).
How to participate:
Attend in person: Malibu High, 4:30 pm
Join via Zoom: https://smmk12.zoom.us/j/83240279068?pwd=N0rBblNxK3YpGWqA6LELQWVteUWUlo.1
Send written comments: Carey Upton ([email protected]) and Carl Randall ([email protected])
Why This Matters
Fairness and Equity: Santa Monica already has a 50m Olympic sized pool, built with their $485 million Measure SMS bond passed in 2018 (including $260 million for Samohi facilities). Malibu taxpayers are contributing through Measure MM’s $395 million bond, yet are being told to accept a scaled-down 40m pool. Malibu taxpayers deserve the same quality facilities as Santa Monica — not be asked to settle for less.
Higher Cost, Less Facility: Santa Monica delivered its 50m pool plus a 260,000 sq ft academic center (classrooms, labs, dining, medical suites, parking, and sustainable features) for over $200 million LESS than Malibu’s Phase 2 budget alone. Malibu taxpayers are spending more per capita and getting less.
Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity: Malibu has no plans now — or in the foreseeable future — to ever build a 50m pool outside this bond. This is our only chance. If missed, Malibu athletes will be stuck with second-tier facilities for decades.
Competitive Edge for Students: A 50m pool allows Malibu schools' youth, community and club swimmers to train and compete at regulation length, preparing them fairly against peers from other districts.
Attracting Elite Coaches: Olympic-sized facilities attract Olympic-caliber coaches. With a regulation pool, Malibu could bring in the kind of training and leadership that creates future Olympians. Without it, we will struggle to retain top-tier coaching talent.
Attracting Families and Students: Modern athletic facilities are a magnet for families deciding where to live and send their kids. A 50m pool strengthens enrollment and supports Malibu schools long-term.
Revenue Generation: Hosting regional competitive meets will generate substantial revenue for the district — more than enough to help fund maintenance and upkeep of a 50m pool.
Community Use: Beyond students, the pool will serve Malibu residents of all ages — from Masters swim programs to swim lessons for children and adults, as well as fitness and recreation. A 50m pool is not just a school facility, but a vital community resource that enhances wellness, water safety, and civic pride.
Foundation for an Independent Malibu District: As Malibu pursues independence from SMMUSD, the quality of our facilities will be critical to sustaining enrollment, attracting families, and proving that a Malibu Unified School District can stand on its own. Building a 50m Olympic pool now sets the standard for equity and excellence that will carry forward into our future district.
Property Values: Excellent facilities make Malibu more attractive, helping protect home values for every resident.
Community Investment: This isn’t just about athletes — it’s about ensuring our tax dollars produce facilities that match Malibu’s identity and investment, not settling for less.
This is our only shot to do this right. Malibu taxpayers, students, and families deserve facilities that reflect equity, foresight, and pride in our community.
Thank you for making your voice heard.
Warmly,
Jo Drummond
PS Here’s Santa Monica High School’s Discovery Building with its 50m Olympic pool and new academic center. Malibu’s Phase 2 budget is over $200 million more, yet we are being told to accept a 40m pool.
Our facilities will be more modest in scale to match our rural character — but like Malibu’s new high school building, they will still be state-of-the-art, modern, and designed to serve our students for generations.
Also important: $90 million is already budgeted apparently for the new Malibu High auditorium/performing arts center, and the remaining Measure MM funds will go toward the new gymnasium facilities, the pool, and other improvements. We need to ensure those dollars produce facilities that serve Malibu fairly, equitably, and at the highest standard.
See you Tuesday! x, Jo
Santa Monica High School Pool
https://www.athleticbusiness.com/project-galleries/aquatic-design-portfolio/gUa8KBACnj/santa-monica-high-school-pool -slide
