Malibu City Council Unanimously Approves School Separation Plan, Paving Way for District Split in 2028, maybe.

December 9, 2025 Malibu, Calif. - In a unanimous vote late Monday night, the Malibu City Council approved a package of agreements to separate from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), marking a significant milestone in a decades-long effort by Malibu residents to establish their own independent school district. The decision, made during a 5:30 p.m. meeting at Malibu City Hall, follows a similar unanimous approval by the SMMUSD Board of Education just one week earlier on December 1.

The separation package consists of three foundational agreements: the Property Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement, the Operational Transfer Agreement, and the Joint Powers Agreement. These documents outline the financial, operational, and governance frameworks necessary to divide the nearly 70-year-old district into two entities-a Santa Monica Unified School District and a proposed Malibu Unified School District (MUSD).

"This is just the first step in this next phase," said Christine Wood, Malibu's deputy city attorney, emphasizing the long road ahead. "After this, we need to seek special legislation hand in hand with the district, and then we need to seek some additional approvals at the state and county level."

The move brings Malibu closer to achieving local control over its schools, a goal that has been pursued since the City Council first voted to initiate secession efforts in November 2011. Proponents argue that an independent district would allow for more tailored educational programming and resource allocation suited to Malibu's unique coastal community of about 12,000 residents and roughly 1,100 students. However, the process has not been without contention; earlier this year, a Los Angeles County Office of Education committee rejected a prior separation proposal amid strong opposition from SMMUSD stakeholders concerned about financial impacts.

For Santa Monica, home to the majority of the district's 10,000-plus students and seven schools, the split raises questions about funding stability and administrative transitions. The approved revenue-sharing agreement aims to address these concerns by detailing how property taxes-Malibu contributes a disproportionate share due to high-value properties-will be divided post-separation. SMMUSD officials have stressed that the agreements were developed collaboratively after years of mediation to ensure neither community is disadvantaged.

"Last night's unanimous approval is a historic milestone that brings Malibu one step closer to achieving the local control our community has worked toward for so many years," said Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins in a statement following the SMMUSD board's vote. SMMUSD Board President Stacy Snow added during the December 1 meeting that the decision was driven by a commitment to "delivering local control while not harming students."Despite the enthusiasm in Malibu, the path forward remains lengthy.

Both the City of Malibu and SMMUSD must now pursue special legislation from the California State Legislature and secure approvals from the California State Board of Education and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Experts estimate the full process could take up to three years, with potential implementation not occurring until the 2028-2029 school year at the earliest.

The unanimous votes by both bodies signal a rare moment of consensus in what has been a contentious saga. As preparations begin for the next phases, educators, parents, and officials in Santa Monica and Malibu alike will be closely watching how these agreements hold up under state scrutiny.The Santa Monica Observer will continue to cover developments in this story as they unfold.