Friday, March 05, 2004
Monrovia School Link ~ Number 71 ~ Jan. 15, 2004
This is the first issue for which someone other than myself has done the newsletter! I'm very appreciative of those of you who are helping out, and particularly of Rosemary Harrahill, who is taking the first shot at it. Thanks Rosemary! By the way, I hope to have a special article out to you all maybe next week -- stay tuned!
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)
Monrovia School Board Meeting January 14, 2004 Reported by a parent, Rosemary Harrahill, with a teaching background who is also opinionated....
First, apologies for not being at the study session at 5:30 -- I just thought the meeting began at 7:30 -- fortunately, the spouse of a board member informed me I'm missing the meat of what's going on so I ran out the door with my daughter's history notebook to record this....
STUDY SESSION:
I arrived late -- Budget Development Process Proposal and Board Organizational Discussion were on study session agenda.
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Well, I missed the 1st hour, but the gist of it this was: They've got to tackle another round of potential budget cuts/increases/yadda yadda due to the lousy state of affairs of the state budget mess in Sacramento. And it isn't going to be pretty. Anyway, they talked about their committees, their make-up, etc. They've changed acronyms from DAC to CORE.
Looks like they want to get input from parents in a meaningful way after the district's committee meets but before the board votes. This is a good thing -- requested by board member Clare Chesley. That made sense to me. Monina spoke up, too, and liked this idea. She's really behind getting parental input from what I saw. Yes!! Louise did ask if there was anything the board didn't want to touch, i.e. any sacred cows, when it came to potential budget cuts. Clare Chesley didn't want to see anything at the high school cut as she feels they need the most support. Mr. Carter recommended looking at everything, i.e. no sacred cows. Whatever happens, it's gonna be no fun....ugh...
BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL DISCUSSION
Discussion centered on the time it took to hand out awards -- should it be shortened? should it be streamlined? should they move study session table to main room? Sounded very positive to me. Sounds like they'll try out the study session table in the main room which, to me, is a great idea! Let everyone be able to walk in and see what's happening! As to cutting the time and procedure of handing out awards, I think this is as great PR thang to do: it's a big deal to get an award. People work so hard to reach that level. So what if it takes time? But let's be reasonable, I think, is their idea. Betty still is lobbying to move board meetings to 6:30. Mr. Carter pointed out that that puts study sessions at 5:30 -- a hard time for so many parents, and board members to get to chambers. Betty also can't hear when other board members vote, so she's asking Kris Mariconda to perhaps handle this. It's not clear why she can't look to her right and left and eyeball them.... To be continued...
NOW FOR THE MEETING
OK, parents, we get an F in attendance..This is the teacher in me, but WE GOTTA GET INVOLVED!! These people's actions directly affect our kids!!!
Kudos to Deb Rinder, principal at Clifton for coming. I've seen her there before. What a trooper! We need more principals like that!!! She CARES! and is willing to sit through admittedly boring stuff sometimes....
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cyrus Kemp spoke about having a line item veto on the spending decisions: pointed out we're spending $400 per month for Rich Hill to write a three paragraph blurb for Louise that goes in the Mountain Views--a paper that many use to line their birdcages (really, visit Pet's Delite)....that's 4 grand a school year. Can't someone in house do this? was his comment. Good point!!
Yours truly asked for an update on the Homework Policy -- FYI: it hasn't been updated since 1972 -- it will be discussed at next board meeting and parents -- PLEASE COME -- this directly affects your kids, and I don't think all your kid's hard work deserves to go in the trash can on Friday with no grade except for a check mark in some teachers grade book. Let's give some positive feedback to these kids!!! Please come January 28 and GIVE YOUR INPUT!
BOARD REPORTS
Carter had an enjoyable discussion with city members.
Chesley thanked everyone in district for donating to Unity Center Christmas drive, invited all schools to go on field trip to the Police Display at the Monrovia Historical Museum. She commended the SARB board for their professionalism, esp. Gail Grant for handling the meetings well. Chesley extends an invitation to PTA members to come to the board meetings and recommended board members go to the PTA meetings too. Great idea for keeping communication lines open and flowing!! Also, she wants to implement a 'family friendly' policy when parents visit schools. She'd like to see some friendly, helpful 'customer service' attitudes among the office staffs. I must admit I've been there... I've walked into an office and felt like an intruder. And some of the gals keep talking on the phone, not even looking up, keep shuffling paper, sipping their coffee or there'll be three gals behind a counter and they just stay seated and don't move until someone finishes whatever they're doing before walking up with a long face to see what I wanted. She feels parents should get friendly, immediate help when entering an office. What a concept!:-)
Monina Diaz plugged Financial Aid Nite -- tonite, Jan. 15, at the high school gym. Also invited MHS alumni to send their college banner to the high school to add to the gym. For college nite, I think... She and several others commented on the beautiful Celebration of Life service for Peter Becker, a MHS teacher who recently passed away.
Betty resigned from Healthy Start to focus on board responsibilities. She loved the art facilities on her visit to Italy during her November trip -- wished we had the same... just takes money....
I appreciated student rep Tiffany Ross speaking so clearly and well. So many kids mumble today and she did a nice job!
Louise congratulated the auto teacher and his students for winning a huge award in L.A. which got them an all-expense paid trip to New York to compete in the finals. Star News, where are you? Rich Hill, will you get over there and write a huge pump piece on these guys?? This needs to get out to the community!!! Get crackin'!!!! And earn your $400!!!
Louise wants parents to attend a meeting re: the High School exit exam. She is urging families of sophomores to get over and hear this. Yes, this is important. All sophomores need to pass this to graduate. It's the law now. However, kids don't need help from their parents to pass this as much as they need their teachers to TEACH THEM THE MATERIAL!! I know for a fact the middle schools waste enormous amounts of academic time watching movies. How 'bout some writing instruction?? What a concept!!
AUDITOR'S REPORT
Monrovia got an "unqualified" report from the auditor: the best a school can get! Great! Yep, this was the boring part, talking finances, but Mrs. Chesley asked some very good qustions and Mr. Wong -- dang it, was gone. This is his field of expertise. Of all times to be absent... Congrats to Linda Dempsey for a great job on this! Her staff, too.
BROWN ACT
Well, I had to leave at this point -- home calling... Brown Act governs public comment at all public meetings. Let Brad know if you have any comments about this!
CLOSED SESSION
OK, why does this come right in the middle of a meeting? What is the public supposed to do? Go for a drink? Stare at each other till they're done? Hmm.. Well, some went to the lobby for a break, then Betty reconvened without calling anyone in! Kudos to Mrs. Chesley for at least asking where everyone went! Bottom line, Betty didn't send anyone out to check the lobby, and they closed the meeting without discussing a pulled item from the agenda that should have been covered... they need to keep working on their communication skills...
Next meeting is Feb. 28 at 7:30.Barring any study sessions...
This is the first issue for which someone other than myself has done the newsletter! I'm very appreciative of those of you who are helping out, and particularly of Rosemary Harrahill, who is taking the first shot at it. Thanks Rosemary! By the way, I hope to have a special article out to you all maybe next week -- stay tuned!
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)
Monrovia School Board Meeting January 14, 2004 Reported by a parent, Rosemary Harrahill, with a teaching background who is also opinionated....
First, apologies for not being at the study session at 5:30 -- I just thought the meeting began at 7:30 -- fortunately, the spouse of a board member informed me I'm missing the meat of what's going on so I ran out the door with my daughter's history notebook to record this....
STUDY SESSION:
I arrived late -- Budget Development Process Proposal and Board Organizational Discussion were on study session agenda.
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Well, I missed the 1st hour, but the gist of it this was: They've got to tackle another round of potential budget cuts/increases/yadda yadda due to the lousy state of affairs of the state budget mess in Sacramento. And it isn't going to be pretty. Anyway, they talked about their committees, their make-up, etc. They've changed acronyms from DAC to CORE.
Looks like they want to get input from parents in a meaningful way after the district's committee meets but before the board votes. This is a good thing -- requested by board member Clare Chesley. That made sense to me. Monina spoke up, too, and liked this idea. She's really behind getting parental input from what I saw. Yes!! Louise did ask if there was anything the board didn't want to touch, i.e. any sacred cows, when it came to potential budget cuts. Clare Chesley didn't want to see anything at the high school cut as she feels they need the most support. Mr. Carter recommended looking at everything, i.e. no sacred cows. Whatever happens, it's gonna be no fun....ugh...
BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL DISCUSSION
Discussion centered on the time it took to hand out awards -- should it be shortened? should it be streamlined? should they move study session table to main room? Sounded very positive to me. Sounds like they'll try out the study session table in the main room which, to me, is a great idea! Let everyone be able to walk in and see what's happening! As to cutting the time and procedure of handing out awards, I think this is as great PR thang to do: it's a big deal to get an award. People work so hard to reach that level. So what if it takes time? But let's be reasonable, I think, is their idea. Betty still is lobbying to move board meetings to 6:30. Mr. Carter pointed out that that puts study sessions at 5:30 -- a hard time for so many parents, and board members to get to chambers. Betty also can't hear when other board members vote, so she's asking Kris Mariconda to perhaps handle this. It's not clear why she can't look to her right and left and eyeball them.... To be continued...
NOW FOR THE MEETING
OK, parents, we get an F in attendance..This is the teacher in me, but WE GOTTA GET INVOLVED!! These people's actions directly affect our kids!!!
Kudos to Deb Rinder, principal at Clifton for coming. I've seen her there before. What a trooper! We need more principals like that!!! She CARES! and is willing to sit through admittedly boring stuff sometimes....
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cyrus Kemp spoke about having a line item veto on the spending decisions: pointed out we're spending $400 per month for Rich Hill to write a three paragraph blurb for Louise that goes in the Mountain Views--a paper that many use to line their birdcages (really, visit Pet's Delite)....that's 4 grand a school year. Can't someone in house do this? was his comment. Good point!!
Yours truly asked for an update on the Homework Policy -- FYI: it hasn't been updated since 1972 -- it will be discussed at next board meeting and parents -- PLEASE COME -- this directly affects your kids, and I don't think all your kid's hard work deserves to go in the trash can on Friday with no grade except for a check mark in some teachers grade book. Let's give some positive feedback to these kids!!! Please come January 28 and GIVE YOUR INPUT!
BOARD REPORTS
Carter had an enjoyable discussion with city members.
Chesley thanked everyone in district for donating to Unity Center Christmas drive, invited all schools to go on field trip to the Police Display at the Monrovia Historical Museum. She commended the SARB board for their professionalism, esp. Gail Grant for handling the meetings well. Chesley extends an invitation to PTA members to come to the board meetings and recommended board members go to the PTA meetings too. Great idea for keeping communication lines open and flowing!! Also, she wants to implement a 'family friendly' policy when parents visit schools. She'd like to see some friendly, helpful 'customer service' attitudes among the office staffs. I must admit I've been there... I've walked into an office and felt like an intruder. And some of the gals keep talking on the phone, not even looking up, keep shuffling paper, sipping their coffee or there'll be three gals behind a counter and they just stay seated and don't move until someone finishes whatever they're doing before walking up with a long face to see what I wanted. She feels parents should get friendly, immediate help when entering an office. What a concept!:-)
Monina Diaz plugged Financial Aid Nite -- tonite, Jan. 15, at the high school gym. Also invited MHS alumni to send their college banner to the high school to add to the gym. For college nite, I think... She and several others commented on the beautiful Celebration of Life service for Peter Becker, a MHS teacher who recently passed away.
Betty resigned from Healthy Start to focus on board responsibilities. She loved the art facilities on her visit to Italy during her November trip -- wished we had the same... just takes money....
I appreciated student rep Tiffany Ross speaking so clearly and well. So many kids mumble today and she did a nice job!
Louise congratulated the auto teacher and his students for winning a huge award in L.A. which got them an all-expense paid trip to New York to compete in the finals. Star News, where are you? Rich Hill, will you get over there and write a huge pump piece on these guys?? This needs to get out to the community!!! Get crackin'!!!! And earn your $400!!!
Louise wants parents to attend a meeting re: the High School exit exam. She is urging families of sophomores to get over and hear this. Yes, this is important. All sophomores need to pass this to graduate. It's the law now. However, kids don't need help from their parents to pass this as much as they need their teachers to TEACH THEM THE MATERIAL!! I know for a fact the middle schools waste enormous amounts of academic time watching movies. How 'bout some writing instruction?? What a concept!!
AUDITOR'S REPORT
Monrovia got an "unqualified" report from the auditor: the best a school can get! Great! Yep, this was the boring part, talking finances, but Mrs. Chesley asked some very good qustions and Mr. Wong -- dang it, was gone. This is his field of expertise. Of all times to be absent... Congrats to Linda Dempsey for a great job on this! Her staff, too.
BROWN ACT
Well, I had to leave at this point -- home calling... Brown Act governs public comment at all public meetings. Let Brad know if you have any comments about this!
CLOSED SESSION
OK, why does this come right in the middle of a meeting? What is the public supposed to do? Go for a drink? Stare at each other till they're done? Hmm.. Well, some went to the lobby for a break, then Betty reconvened without calling anyone in! Kudos to Mrs. Chesley for at least asking where everyone went! Bottom line, Betty didn't send anyone out to check the lobby, and they closed the meeting without discussing a pulled item from the agenda that should have been covered... they need to keep working on their communication skills...
Next meeting is Feb. 28 at 7:30.Barring any study sessions...
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