Underfunded Manhattan Beach schools get $8M boost from community amid financial pressure

California’s Manhattan Beach Education Foundation has awarded a record $8 million to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District to bolster education programs amid ongoing funding challenges. The district receives 45% less state funding per pupil than the California average of $25,803, which resulted in the MBUSD facing a $4.8 million deficit this year. The award will fund class size reduction, music, STEAM, counseling, libraries, and enrichment programs for the 2026-27 school year. Community members contributed more than $5 million through the foundation’s annual appeal and raised $2 million for the MBEF endowment through a wine auction.