SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation has no plans of forfeiting their newly proposed “emergency” school funding measure even after the plan was rejected due to an insufficient vote count.

Operation “Save Our Schools” is the name of the 60-day fundraising campaign and with the collective effort of several community groups and leaders along with the PTA, they hope to replace finances that have been stripped from school funding and in need of monetary replenishment.

As described on the foundation website, “[Measure A] fell short of the 2/3rds vote requirement to pass [it], forcing the SMMUSD Board of Education to make deep cuts to close the budget deficit.”

Measure A is the city’s current funding approach specifically aimed at protecting local schools from “unprecedented State budget cuts.”

Some of these budget cuts may include reductions in summer school funding, elementary library coordinators, nurses, advisers, counselors, reading specialists, and energy as well as utility expenses just to list a few. With the necessary amount of community votes and donations, however, these cutbacks can be prevented.

No reasons have surfaced yet on why the proposal didn’t pass other than the shortage of votes, but the SMMEF is still faced with getting Measure A passed this year by August 15, as stated on the “Save Our Schools” website. If not, the foundation will be forced to keep the budget cuts as is.

According to the foundation’s website, “A $475 contribution for each student […] will keep class size small, libraries open and restore counseling and music programs,” as well as keep employment opportunities open.

To find out more information about the “Save Our Schools” foundation visit smmef.org/ orsavesantamonicamalibuschools.org/SOSfaq.html for an online review of the proposed action plan. To find out how you can donate funds or your time towards the foundation itself, visit smmef.org/saveourschools.phpto begin the application process.