Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Preparedness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Malibu parents say repeated outages left schools in 'chaos,' demand generators and clearer protocols
Summary
Multiple Malibu parents and PTA leaders told the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified board that repeated power and water outages disrupted instruction and left families scrambling; speakers urged immediate delivery of generators, clearer communications and an 'outage playbook.'
Parents from Malibu pressed the Santa Monica–Malibu Unified School District on Sept. 18, saying repeated power and water outages have created unsafe and unreliable conditions that are disrupting instruction. "SMMUSD earned an F today. You failed Malibu families, including mine," PTA communications chair Mariel Hadid told the board during the public‑comment period.
Speakers described the morning's outage at Malibu Elementary School, noting late notifications and an early dismissal at 12:45 p.m. that left many parents with little time to pick up students. Several parents said the district's notices arrived via ParentSquare or delayed email with insufficient time and no dedicated callback number. "My 5th grader was expected at 8 a.m. The elementary was dismissed at 12:45. I got the email at 12:18 with barely any time to get there," Hadid said.
Public commenters urged the district to supply permanent or temporary generators, backup batteries, and temporary lighting; publish a standard outage playbook; and clarify how missed instructional time will be handled. Josh Spiegel, chair of Malibu's Public Safety Commission, said words are not enough: "Don't tell me, show me. It's time to show us that you know what you're doing and that you actually care."
