Parents, students urge district to prioritize natural grass and halt new synthetic turf at elementary sites

Dozens of parents, students and community advocates used the meeting's public-comment period to press the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board for a halt to new synthetic turf at elementary campuses and immediate action to replace play-area turf used by TK and kindergarten students. Devin Porter, a Franklin parent and PTA member, said the PTA committee recommended freezing new turf installations and prioritizing removal of turf from elementary play areas; he told the board, "plastic was shedding all over the yard that kids were playing on," and urged trustees to "get rid of the synthetic turf at our TK and K play yards before the beginning of the school year."

Local youth described sensory and safety problems on recently installed turf. Brian Sweeney, a parent who said he took temperature readings at a new TK yard, told trustees, "The first reading I got was a 140 degrees," and asked, "Do you think it's safe and appropriate for 4 year olds to play on a 140 degree plastic?" Speakers also referenced research and advocacy groups; Terry Saucier, chair of the SoCalSTOP artificial turf task force, told the board he supports a comprehensive ban across all campuses, saying the material contains PFAS and microplastics and can reach surface temperatures that increase burn and heat-injury risk.

Board members and staff acknowledged the depth of community concern and directed staff to move forward with the Franklin grass pilot while developing a proposed moratorium for the board to consider. Staff said the pilot design and larger study will include temperature monitoring, chemical sampling and usage counting to compare grass and turf surfaces; the district also committed to coordinate with the city of Santa Monica and Santa Monica College on expanding field capacity and to return with more detailed operational and maintenance plans for the pilot and for any proposed moratorium. The board did not take formal action on a moratorium at this meeting but gave staff direction to prepare draft language and a work plan.