Santa Monica Schools Face Budget Gap | Venice Beach News

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District just approved a 2026-2027 budget that projects a shortfall—but this isn’t panic, it’s planning. After months of careful analysis, the district prioritized classrooms, special education, and building upkeep, knowing they’d spend more than they earn. Their CFO insists this gap is intentional, part of a long-term strategy to stay financially stable while delivering quality education amid rising costs like health benefits and fading pandemic aid. With a state-mandated reserve fund and contingency savings, they’re confident they can meet obligations for the next three years. The budget now heads to the LA County Office of Education for final review—balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s stability. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/181679ea8e7d15fc