Friday, March 05, 2004
Monrovia School Link ~ Number 75 ~ Feb. 11, 2004
Thanks to John Pentecost for this very detailed report. I think Cyrus Kemp is right (below) that including a more lengthy description of study session topics in the agenda would be a good idea. After all, if you can't figure out what the session's about, why go?
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)
All board members were present as well as the Monrovia High School Student representative. All staff was present except Ms. Mariconda, out with bronchitis.
Dr. Bruce Carter updated the public concerning the outcome of the closed session in which three items were discussed: 1. Expulsion of a student, 2. Rehab of a coach and, 3. Plan to renew the superintendent’s contract, though it could not be ratified due to "Errors in Agenda." This matter will be handled at the next board meeting.
For Items not on the Agenda, Cyrus Kemp requested the criteria used by the board for determination of the contract renewal and salary increase for the superintendent.
Cyrus also wanted the public to be assured that the board was not "winging it." He wanted specific criteria for evaluation purposes. He also wants each board member to be asked how they vote on a particular issue rather then "favorable" voice votes. He believes study sessions should be announced and their purpose described.
CONGRATULATIONS to Alex Boley from Plymouth Elementary, Santa Fe Middle and Monrovia High School, as well as to Jeremiah Elliott, from Wildrose Elementary, Clifton Middle and MHS, for winning the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Auto Competition. A trip to New York to participate in the National Championship is in store for them in April. Thanks to Charles Gill, Executive Director of New Car Dealer Association, Mike Wheeler, Sierra Auto Car Foreman (who gave 30 hours of training), and Peter Hoffman, owner of Sierra for all the team's involvement in this accomplishment!! Cheers and congratulations!
Peter Hoffman was also presented with the Employer Of the Year Award by Pam Woodbury for his active involvement in the ROP training program. The Golden Apple Award was also given out. Kudos to Mr. Clegg, who helped initiate the ROP program three years ago with an initial grant of $20,000. Monrovia has subsequently received two separate grants of $10,000 for ROP classes and training.
MEASURE G was introduced to the board by Citrus College President Dr. Michael Viera, who explained the need for maintenance and upgrades at Citrus. He said only one other bond has ever been floated to support Citrus and now the infrastructure is in serious need of attention. Each homeowner in the district would have $25 per $100,000 of ASSESSED value charged to their tax bill for approximately 20 years to repay the bond. (It could be paid off sooner if homes are reassessed at higher values and income is received more quickly). Bryan Wong asked for clarification. Is it about $4 per month for the AVERAGE homeowner in Monrovia? Yes it is.
Dr. Carter explained that for every three seats in higher education facilities in California two are in community colleges. We need to rally around Citrus! Thanks to Mrs. Montgomery for attending the meeting also!
The public was invited to participate in discussion, and Cyrus asked for a no vote because of the high number of taxes being placed on homeowners, many of who have high assessed values, well above the average.
However, the board voted unanimously to support Measure G.
Rosemary Harrahill asked for clarification regarding the district's homework policy. She said there are still outstanding issues relating to 1. Homework not being graded, 2. Material collected and promptly being thrown out, and 3. Poor follow-up on test results in class. A second issue is the writing tests administered in 4th and 7th grade. Are the students being adequately taught and prepared for the test? Dr. Joel Shawn expressed appreciation for the comments and said he will keep working on it.
Board member reports: Dr. Carter was eight days in Washington to visit with key representatives regarding education issues. This was at no expense to the district. He visited with 12 members assigned to work on education. He said pressures from both Washington DC and Sacramento are increasing but without the follow-through of funds promised. Work loads and requirements are more substantial than ever. Also, the American Disabilities Act is under review. In Monrovia, technically, about 60 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch fee subsidies. Very tight auditing of this may occur in the future.
There is a problem in the "snapshot" view of the "No Student Left Behind" program. It seems that individuals are not evaluated on an individual basis. Each year the particular student sitting in a specific chair is evaluated and compared. This does not give a clear picture of progress. California standards are high but there is not a clear way to detail progress.
Also, there is increasing pressure for teachers to be certified in every specialized class they teach.
Clare Chesley wished to clarify statements made regarding Santa Fe. She wants everyone to hear that there is need for general maintenance and facility care upgrade. "The thing speaks for itself," she said. "As you go from site to site you see the need for better care of bathrooms, repair of peeling paint and other health and safety related issues. Let's have a staff report on this in a coming board meeting! Look at problems and solutions please."
UPDATE on school site visits by Clare and Bryon. They visited Mayflower Elementary with principal Jill Selek. She was pleased to convey that Mayflower was the only school to exceed the 800 test result benchmark She explained that it gets more difficult the higher the bar is raised. She also wished to clarify old school misunderstandings. Mayflower has approximately 44 percent Hispanic population, 36 percent white and 11 percent African American. Across the board it is multicultural and multiethnic with significant income differences. There are many students in the subsidized meal program (48). SO, Mayflower reflects the community and excels in standards-based educational programs.
Further, it is seen as a happy and safe school. In conclusion she and Bryon looked at each other at the end of the tour in the parking lot and said "WOW!"
Tiffany Ross of MHS provided a summary of the high points of Black Student Month. Also, "Attitude is Everything." Give blood: the goal is to have 70 students participating at MHS.
Dr. Taylor summarized events of the farewell for Roger Grasiani who provided 20 years of leadership on the board. There was also recognition again of Tom Reilly, who took students on auto vocational training competition. CONGRATS for winning 17 gold and 3 silver for a total of 20 MEDALS!! KGEM is working closely with Monrovia High to develop a broad media coverage program. Congrats on the High School Career Center.
All principals met with Dr. Joel Shawn for staff development. Under review is the Open Court reading program.
Dr. Joel Shawn provided a very detailed PowerPoint presentation with Ms. Susan Hirsch regarding academic intervention 1. Imbedded, 2. Supplemental, 3. Summer school/inter-session. Copies of this presentation are available by request. Well worth reviewing! Summer School is like starting a whole new school up each year. Programs varied significantly from 2002 to 2003, with changes in site location and budget. Congrats to MS Hirsch for a fine PowerPoint description of the programs, which are undergoing constant change.
Mr. Clegg, principal of MHS, had a PowerPoint presentation of the WASC three-year revisited accreditation, which is a major issue for the high school. When the process began three years ago many players were new (i.e. Dr. Shawn and Mr. Clegg). It was difficult to face the review conclusions brought forward. It was somewhat overwhelming. But the staff and teachers and administration have made significant strides. They are preparing for a review on April 6th at 3:00pm. A complete copy of the extensive presentation is available. ASK FOR A COPY!
Dr. Shawn thanked the teachers for coming to the board meeting! There is a strong sense of purpose to continue the progress. Thanks to Dr. Geiger for the tremendous progress on the technology upgrades despite the thickness of the walls, which were constructed in the early 1900's!
NOW THE BUDGET!! Linda Dempsey updated the board and the public on the current projections. Well, we really do not know. Perhaps there will be as much as a $550,000 shortfall for the district. On paper we retain the budget we wish to have, but are prepared for all scenarios proceeding from the political initiatives of Prop 57 and 58. Bryon said that these will have a significant impact on future budgets and activities throughout the district. At issue are class size reduction requirements of the state without adequate provision for staff and classes. Block grants, guaranteed ADA and COLA. Stay tuned for specific budget information as it becomes available. On April 28th there will be a full budget presentation.!!! For 2004-2005, the total restricted and unrestricted budget projection is $39,525,429, compared with a 2003-2004 budget of $40,044,600.
A huge business venture that all of us need to take very seriously!!!!
Betty Sanford said she wishes to have the time of the board meetings changed. The board voted and approved a change to 7 p.m. for regular meetings, still preceded by study sessions. Sentiment was expressed that more of public could participate!!
Parent involvement, teacher involvement, staff involvement, district involvement! A team working together for the good of all students!!
Thanks to John Pentecost for this very detailed report. I think Cyrus Kemp is right (below) that including a more lengthy description of study session topics in the agenda would be a good idea. After all, if you can't figure out what the session's about, why go?
~ Brad Haugaard (brad@sacklunch.net)
All board members were present as well as the Monrovia High School Student representative. All staff was present except Ms. Mariconda, out with bronchitis.
Dr. Bruce Carter updated the public concerning the outcome of the closed session in which three items were discussed: 1. Expulsion of a student, 2. Rehab of a coach and, 3. Plan to renew the superintendent’s contract, though it could not be ratified due to "Errors in Agenda." This matter will be handled at the next board meeting.
For Items not on the Agenda, Cyrus Kemp requested the criteria used by the board for determination of the contract renewal and salary increase for the superintendent.
Cyrus also wanted the public to be assured that the board was not "winging it." He wanted specific criteria for evaluation purposes. He also wants each board member to be asked how they vote on a particular issue rather then "favorable" voice votes. He believes study sessions should be announced and their purpose described.
CONGRATULATIONS to Alex Boley from Plymouth Elementary, Santa Fe Middle and Monrovia High School, as well as to Jeremiah Elliott, from Wildrose Elementary, Clifton Middle and MHS, for winning the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Auto Competition. A trip to New York to participate in the National Championship is in store for them in April. Thanks to Charles Gill, Executive Director of New Car Dealer Association, Mike Wheeler, Sierra Auto Car Foreman (who gave 30 hours of training), and Peter Hoffman, owner of Sierra for all the team's involvement in this accomplishment!! Cheers and congratulations!
Peter Hoffman was also presented with the Employer Of the Year Award by Pam Woodbury for his active involvement in the ROP training program. The Golden Apple Award was also given out. Kudos to Mr. Clegg, who helped initiate the ROP program three years ago with an initial grant of $20,000. Monrovia has subsequently received two separate grants of $10,000 for ROP classes and training.
MEASURE G was introduced to the board by Citrus College President Dr. Michael Viera, who explained the need for maintenance and upgrades at Citrus. He said only one other bond has ever been floated to support Citrus and now the infrastructure is in serious need of attention. Each homeowner in the district would have $25 per $100,000 of ASSESSED value charged to their tax bill for approximately 20 years to repay the bond. (It could be paid off sooner if homes are reassessed at higher values and income is received more quickly). Bryan Wong asked for clarification. Is it about $4 per month for the AVERAGE homeowner in Monrovia? Yes it is.
Dr. Carter explained that for every three seats in higher education facilities in California two are in community colleges. We need to rally around Citrus! Thanks to Mrs. Montgomery for attending the meeting also!
The public was invited to participate in discussion, and Cyrus asked for a no vote because of the high number of taxes being placed on homeowners, many of who have high assessed values, well above the average.
However, the board voted unanimously to support Measure G.
Rosemary Harrahill asked for clarification regarding the district's homework policy. She said there are still outstanding issues relating to 1. Homework not being graded, 2. Material collected and promptly being thrown out, and 3. Poor follow-up on test results in class. A second issue is the writing tests administered in 4th and 7th grade. Are the students being adequately taught and prepared for the test? Dr. Joel Shawn expressed appreciation for the comments and said he will keep working on it.
Board member reports: Dr. Carter was eight days in Washington to visit with key representatives regarding education issues. This was at no expense to the district. He visited with 12 members assigned to work on education. He said pressures from both Washington DC and Sacramento are increasing but without the follow-through of funds promised. Work loads and requirements are more substantial than ever. Also, the American Disabilities Act is under review. In Monrovia, technically, about 60 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch fee subsidies. Very tight auditing of this may occur in the future.
There is a problem in the "snapshot" view of the "No Student Left Behind" program. It seems that individuals are not evaluated on an individual basis. Each year the particular student sitting in a specific chair is evaluated and compared. This does not give a clear picture of progress. California standards are high but there is not a clear way to detail progress.
Also, there is increasing pressure for teachers to be certified in every specialized class they teach.
Clare Chesley wished to clarify statements made regarding Santa Fe. She wants everyone to hear that there is need for general maintenance and facility care upgrade. "The thing speaks for itself," she said. "As you go from site to site you see the need for better care of bathrooms, repair of peeling paint and other health and safety related issues. Let's have a staff report on this in a coming board meeting! Look at problems and solutions please."
UPDATE on school site visits by Clare and Bryon. They visited Mayflower Elementary with principal Jill Selek. She was pleased to convey that Mayflower was the only school to exceed the 800 test result benchmark She explained that it gets more difficult the higher the bar is raised. She also wished to clarify old school misunderstandings. Mayflower has approximately 44 percent Hispanic population, 36 percent white and 11 percent African American. Across the board it is multicultural and multiethnic with significant income differences. There are many students in the subsidized meal program (48). SO, Mayflower reflects the community and excels in standards-based educational programs.
Further, it is seen as a happy and safe school. In conclusion she and Bryon looked at each other at the end of the tour in the parking lot and said "WOW!"
Tiffany Ross of MHS provided a summary of the high points of Black Student Month. Also, "Attitude is Everything." Give blood: the goal is to have 70 students participating at MHS.
Dr. Taylor summarized events of the farewell for Roger Grasiani who provided 20 years of leadership on the board. There was also recognition again of Tom Reilly, who took students on auto vocational training competition. CONGRATS for winning 17 gold and 3 silver for a total of 20 MEDALS!! KGEM is working closely with Monrovia High to develop a broad media coverage program. Congrats on the High School Career Center.
All principals met with Dr. Joel Shawn for staff development. Under review is the Open Court reading program.
Dr. Joel Shawn provided a very detailed PowerPoint presentation with Ms. Susan Hirsch regarding academic intervention 1. Imbedded, 2. Supplemental, 3. Summer school/inter-session. Copies of this presentation are available by request. Well worth reviewing! Summer School is like starting a whole new school up each year. Programs varied significantly from 2002 to 2003, with changes in site location and budget. Congrats to MS Hirsch for a fine PowerPoint description of the programs, which are undergoing constant change.
Mr. Clegg, principal of MHS, had a PowerPoint presentation of the WASC three-year revisited accreditation, which is a major issue for the high school. When the process began three years ago many players were new (i.e. Dr. Shawn and Mr. Clegg). It was difficult to face the review conclusions brought forward. It was somewhat overwhelming. But the staff and teachers and administration have made significant strides. They are preparing for a review on April 6th at 3:00pm. A complete copy of the extensive presentation is available. ASK FOR A COPY!
Dr. Shawn thanked the teachers for coming to the board meeting! There is a strong sense of purpose to continue the progress. Thanks to Dr. Geiger for the tremendous progress on the technology upgrades despite the thickness of the walls, which were constructed in the early 1900's!
NOW THE BUDGET!! Linda Dempsey updated the board and the public on the current projections. Well, we really do not know. Perhaps there will be as much as a $550,000 shortfall for the district. On paper we retain the budget we wish to have, but are prepared for all scenarios proceeding from the political initiatives of Prop 57 and 58. Bryon said that these will have a significant impact on future budgets and activities throughout the district. At issue are class size reduction requirements of the state without adequate provision for staff and classes. Block grants, guaranteed ADA and COLA. Stay tuned for specific budget information as it becomes available. On April 28th there will be a full budget presentation.!!! For 2004-2005, the total restricted and unrestricted budget projection is $39,525,429, compared with a 2003-2004 budget of $40,044,600.
A huge business venture that all of us need to take very seriously!!!!
Betty Sanford said she wishes to have the time of the board meetings changed. The board voted and approved a change to 7 p.m. for regular meetings, still preceded by study sessions. Sentiment was expressed that more of public could participate!!
Parent involvement, teacher involvement, staff involvement, district involvement! A team working together for the good of all students!!
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