Laurie Lieberman, a member of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education since 2010, is running for re-election on Nov. 3, 2026.
The race is nonpartisan. Four seats are open, and voters may choose up to four candidates. The other certified candidates are Alicia Mignano, Harry Leshner, Robbie Staenberg and Stacy Rouse, according to Ballotpedia. The district's website lists Lieberman as board vice president effective December 2026.
The SMMUSD Board of Education oversees district policy, the budget and the superintendent for schools serving Santa Monica and Malibu.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Education: Bachelor of arts in sociology, UCLA, 1975; juris doctor, UCLA School of Law, 1978. Lieberman said in a 2014 candidate questionnaire that she also completed coursework toward a master's degree in urban planning.
- Residence: In her 2022 questionnaire, Lieberman said she had lived in Santa Monica for about 45 years, with brief periods in West Los Angeles or Mar Vista. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley.
Experience and public service
Lieberman has served on the SMMUSD Board of Education since November 2010, according to Ballotpedia.
Before joining the board, Lieberman worked as an attorney in the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office, according to her 2022 questionnaire for the Santa Monica Democratic Club. She also served as an attorney and hearing examiner at the Santa Monica Rent Control Board, according to Ballotpedia. She has been a PTA member and volunteer in the district since 1996, according to Ballotpedia.
On the issues
Lieberman says strong public schools are essential to preserving democracy and opportunity. Her stated priorities center on academic excellence, equity and preparing every student for success after high school.
Early childhood education: Lieberman supports high-quality Transitional Kindergarten and early childhood programs that prepare children for kindergarten.
Curriculum and student achievement: She emphasizes engaging, rigorous instruction that develops critical thinking skills, alongside strong teaching and targeted interventions to help students achieve academic mastery and close achievement and opportunity gaps.
Technology: Lieberman identifies evaluating the appropriate role of technology in schools as a priority.
Facilities and the arts: She supports maintaining and modernizing campuses to improve student and staff safety and provide facilities suited to contemporary learning. She also seeks to strengthen the district’s music and fine arts programs.
Budget and financial stability: Lieberman emphasizes balancing the district’s budget, strengthening financial reserves and maintaining its strong credit rating.
Endorsements
Laurie Lieberman’s reported endorsements include Community for Excellent Public Schools, Congressmember Ted Lieu, state Sen. Ben Allen and Assemblymember Rick Zbur. The supplied list also identifies support from all current members of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education. Those individual endorsements should be distinguished from an endorsement by the school board as a governing body.
