Monrovia School Link Preview ~ Number 113 ~ March 19, 2005
There are two meetings this week. A regular one on Wednesday and a special (mostly closed-session) on Thursday. It looks like some interesting things on the agenda: A report on the Academic Performance Index and some stuff that sounds distinctly Jill Selak related. And, tacked on the end, a few interesting letters I've recieved recently.
~brad@sacklunch.net
First, a busy, busy board meeting this Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m.
The board is going to honor four district employees for outstanding service, then there'll be a report on the Academic Performance Index (API), followed by a decision about a rate increase for school meals, and a summary of energy savings for the first thirteen months of the district's energy management program.
After intermission (oops, sorry, no intermission), the board will certify that the district is following the law regarding temporary athletic team coaches (excitement reigns!), then it will vote on establishing a new classified clerical position in Healthy Start, and then will vote on ammending the district’s uniform complaint procedures.
Then something or other about (I think) how the district determines seniority for two employees who are hired on the same day. Then the board will vote on the school calendar for 05-06 (yawn), and then, hmmm - this is interesting (Selak related?) - the board will "receive a report on certificated administrator evaluation and release personnel processes, procedures and legal mandates, including the Brown Act."
Then after some other stuff, the board will receive for first reading a board policy about high school exit exams, some more yadda yadda, then to wrap up, it'll (undoubtedly) vote to proclaim April 2005 as "Month of the Young Child."
Okay, that takes care of Wednesday.
Then, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., there'll be a special mostly-closed session to discuss "Performance Evaluation Review Site Administrator (Government Code Section 54957)." I'm not sure, but I suspect this may be more Jill Selak stuff, and there will be a public comment time before the board goes into closed session, so go if you have something to say.
SELAK LETTER ~ This letter in defense of the board's handling of the Selak affair was a bit long, so I chomped it, but hopefully I've kept the essence: "With parental outrage running high, it seems fitting that Jill step up to a microphone, pick up a pen and write a letter to the editor, or pen a letter to all Mayflower parents on what happened. By law, only she can comment." The writer then gives several examples that the board is aware of Selak's contributions and popularity ("Do we really think that asking for the resignation of a principal who has been lauded by professional education groups, is well-known in professional circles both city, county and statewide was a 'knee jerk reaction'"?), then concludes with this: "What could possibly happen that would compel a board to UNANIMOUSLY vote for the resignation of one of our greatest? There are too many divergent opinions on this school board; they are all opinionated, strong willed, passionate about Monrovia's students and, at least some of them, dead on committed to making this district better. It must have been serious.... What could a principal possibly do to compel the board to take such a drastic decision that could only cast a bad light upon them as a school board? One person can answer this question: Jill Selak.
BUDGET ~ Regarding a newsletter I did about the district's budget situation: "I was reading a Sunday article in the Star-News about the same stuff - pretty dire! Also to be included in the mix is the idea that most people polled - in my contacts, are not happy with Louise Taylor - the Ms. Selek issue for one. People WILL move their kids to private school on this issue. Also, about the lower test scores, which drive older kids to private schools - I haven't heard a thing on Mr. Zepedas idea to go block scheduling - and am worried that with budget cuts we won't. After being on the field trip to his old Norwalk school and being very impressed (my impression of him and the idea of block totally turned around in one visit). I am worried that middle and high school students will continue to leave for private schools unless MAJOR changes are implemented to bring up scores - SOON!"
SPECIAL ED ~ In my budget newsletter, I mentioned the situation of special ed students. This letter is in response to that: "As far as special needs and MUSD goes, there is an enormous amount of work to be done. The district must provide an appropriate level of service for these students. There can be a big difference between the district's idea of appropriate and the parents'. If a team (district and parent) effort is used to approach this, change will come a lot easier than if a district-only plan is proposed. Until recently the district has taken a hard line with these cases and that is why these children end up off site. It's important to note that once lawyers get involved in this process nobody wins. If one or two of these differences of opinion about appropriate services end up in mediation, it could cost the district more than the proposed savings. Not to mention the impact on the student.
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