Culver City Observer -

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District will present the findings of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Malibu Middle and high school (MMHS) specific plan project at a virtual and in-person community meeting next Tuesday, Nov. 2.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the multipurpose room at the former Juan Cabrillo Elementary School (JCES) campus, located at 30237 Morning View Drive in Malibu.

The proposed project will redevelop and modernize the former JCES and the existing MMHS campus with the goal of creating three separate areas: middle school core, high school core and shared amenities, said SMMUSD officials.

The build out will result in 32 new classrooms, eight labs, minor field improvements, and parking additions. The campus will also receive a new drop-off and pick- up area, bus loop, gymnasiums, performing arts theater and aquatics center, officials said.

Implementation would occur over four phases, resulting in demolition of all buildings on the former JCES campus. The recently-completed administration, library, classroom and lab building, along with the middle school building, will remain, district officials said.

As part of the project, the adjacent Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area will be restored and the existing Bus Barn will be relocated to a dirt area adjacent to the district-owned Malibu Equestrian Park.

The DEIR is accessible online at: https://bit.ly/2Z00q1J.

The Tuesday night meeting will feature a presentation followed by audience questions and feedback. The meeting may also be viewed virtually via Zoom website or Zoom call in. Meeting URL: https://bit.ly/3B0B8hi Phone: 669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 884 3565 9261 Passcode: 797355

Stakeholders will also have the opportunity to provide written comments via email or regular mail during the 45-day comment period. The deadline to submit comments is Nov. 29, 2021.

While the Specific Plan reflects the anticipated buildout of the MMHS campus, only phase 1 of the plan is designed and funded for construction by Measure M, passed by Malibu voters in 2018, said district officials. Construction of subsequent phases will require additional financial resources.

Community members are urged to submit all comments pertaining to the content of the DEIR in writing with the subject heading “Malibu Middle and high school Specific Plan Project” to Carey Upton, Chief Operations Officer via email at cupton@smmusd.org or via mail at: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Attn: Carey Upton - FIP Department, 1651 16th Street, Santa Monica, California 90404.