Monrovia School Link ~ Number 140 ~ September 16, 2005
Two things I want to REALLY highlight: 1) If you want to be considered as a candidate to replace Betty Sandford, the time to act is like NOW. See the "Now Hiring" item below. 2) We now have a candidates forum, at Monrovia High, so set aside the evening of October 25. Many thanks to the MHS PTSA and the League of Women Voters for setting this up! See the first letter, below.
~ brad@sacklunch.net
By Maritza Diaz
The regular meeting started exactly at 7 p.m. Oh, wait! That was just a dream I had. The study session to discuss the process of filling Betty Sandford's vacant seat ran long. The board has decided to make a provisional appointment for the rest of Sandford's term, which ends on December 7, 2007. Since the clock is ticking, I guess this late start isn't so bad. Maybe one day my dream will come true.
NOW HIRING ~ If you think you have what it takes to sit on the board, go ahead and apply. You can download an application at
www.monroviaschools.net (see the red links at the top right of the page) or stop by the offices to pick one up. However, you better decide fast because the deadline to turn in an application is before noon on Tuesday, September, 20. That's this *coming* Tuesday. The board will screen applicants the next day and schedule interviews Thursday and/or Friday of the same week.
NEWBIE ~ Student Representative Rebecca Smith from Monrovia High was sworn in to serve with the board for the coming year. Not only is Rebecca taking on the board responsibilities but she's also the representative for the city council. All this plus school work is going to be quite a challenge, but as Superintendent Louise Taylor said, "She's up to the task."
SPEAK EASY ~ What do soccer and the marching band have in common? Well, they were both topics of the public comment this time around.
Jennifer, the mother of a Monrovia High School marching band member, recently found out that as of this school year, marching band will not be given physical education credit. She said the marching band logs in many hours during practice and games and work just as hard as the athletes. She requested the board's help in finding a copy of the policy that changed the rules. Hey, marching up and down the field with an instrument sounds like a good workout.
Speaking of athletes, Dale Rogers, brought to the board's attention that people are using the Mayflower field to play soccer. What's wrong with that? Well, the field is locked and people are climbing the fence and also causing traffic problems around the school. Rogers isn't against people using the field but feels there should be some monitoring of it so no one will get hurt. Let's stop the fence jumping.
THE PLEDGE ~ What has the board been up to? Well, Clare Chesley announced that Bradoaks is having a Walk-to-School Day to promote physical fitness on October 5. She also attended, along with Superintendent Taylor, the Liaison Committee meeting, which helps to build better relationships with city leaders. Chesley described the meeting as productive and positive. They chatted about facility use agreements, public relations, funding and transportation. Finally, Chesley spoke about the recent court decision finding the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional in some Northern California schools and how it might affect Monrovia in the future.
BUMPING ~ Bruce Carter took this opportunity to say how much he enjoys bumping into former students who have continued with their education. That's nice.
FROGGER ~ President Monina Diaz thanked the city for the new big yellow crosswalk sign on Foothill and California. She said she often felt like "Frogger" crossing the street there. That game is so much fun.
KATRINA ~ Student representative Smith reported on all the fund-raising efforts by Monrovia high students for victims of hurricane Katrina. They will be having buckets for donations during football games and around the city as well. So, stop by a football game and donate. Or, if you are out about town and see a donation bucket, please give a little.
Taylor said she was proud of all the efforts people are making to help the victims of Katrina and was especially touched by the enrollment of a student who survived the hurricane at Santa Fe Springs. She hopes Monrovia can offer him a good education and a little extra care. She also mentioned that the first day of school went well, but the the district felt the affects of budget cuts. For example, because the district cut hours for school nurses, some students need adjustments to get their medical needs met. So that has proved to be a challenge. Taylor said they are working on tackling all challenges that have arisen from the budget cuts.
ENROLLMENT ~ Well, it turns out not many students attended the first day of school, which affected the projected enrollment numbers. Debby Collins reported that student enrollment is down from the projected number but hopes more students will show up now that the school season is in full swing. Some schools are up and some are down, but over all the district is down 45. In Bradoaks there were more enrollees in the primary grades so the district had to make some staffing changes. They had to close an upper grade class to create two combination classes. Trying to predict enrollment figures is a tough job.
Taylor expressed the importance of informing parents how important it is for students to attend the first day of classes. Summer is fun, but it's time to let it go. Get those students to the classroom.
WELL DONE ~ You have to love those Monrovia kids because they sure do achieve goals. Last meeting Taylor reported on the preliminary STAR test results, which were pretty good. This time around, she reported on the latest results, which still show how great Monrovia students are doing. There has been a constant growth over the last six years. However, since the federal targets the schools have to meet are growing, keeping this pace may be a challenge. These kids can do it. A big congratulations to Mayflower and Plymouth, which exceeded the state and district goal of 800 points. Mayflower scored 841 and Plymouth 813. All the other schools did great too, let's not forget them.
BUDGET AGAIN ~ Oh, the budget. Just when you thinks it's settled it pops back up. Linda Dempsey reported on the ending balance for the
2005-06 school year adjustments. After some recalculating the ending balance looks a little something like this:
-Revolving cash: $20 K
-Inventory: $200 K
-3 percent Reserve: $1,276 K
-Carryover Reserve: $433 K
-Personnel Commission Reserve: 433 K
-Additional Reserve: $465 K
APPROVE ~ The board approved evaluation procedures discussed in the last meeting and some bids and awards for contracts, which included some for mechanical and electrical services.
ANNOUNCEMENT ~ It was announced that Lupe Davis, Personnel Commissioner, would like to be reappointed for another term. The public hearing for her reappointment will be October 26. So there you go, it's been officially announced.
That's all the fun stuff for this meeting. Let's do this again on September 28, when the next meeting takes place.
LETTER: CANDIDATES' FORUM ~ I wanted to let you know that the newly formed PTSA at Monrovia High School, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters, has made arrangements to host a Monrovia School Board Candidate Forum on Tuesday October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Monrovia High School auditorium. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Following the formal forum, we will have an informal "meet and greet" with the candidates in the foyer. Refreshments will be served. We would very much appreciate your spreading the word. [Delighted to spread the word. And thanks a million for doing this! - Brad]
- Vicke Thrower, Team PTSA @ MHS, Executive VP
LETTER: MISCONSTRUED ~ I am sorry that some readers have misconstrued the meaning behind my letter - I do not find myself insensitive to the poverty that abounds, nor unchristian - I only made a statement which apparently was not taken for what was meant - I have helped in the school district for almost 20 years in the classroom and have grown to love many of the children in the Monrovia schools - I stay in the public school system because I believe in it and the diversity it allows my children - as it should be and is in life -
I have seen programs taken away from our children in the schools over the last years due to budget crisis, and would hope that no more slip away. I am encouraged by the rising test scores and dedication of the new people in place and hope only to see the community of Monrovia continue to grow as it has over the last 3 decades that I have been here.
- Janis Johnson
LETTER: BEAUTIFUL MONROVIANS ~ Thank you for your newsletter. As always, it is very informative. Thank you for taking the time to meet with the candidates. I know I really appreciate it. Furthermore, I was blown away by the compassion and objectivity of these two letters regarding buses. What clear responses. I also applaud candidate Gililland and your position on the so-called confidential medical visits. His response on this subject echoes my sentiments exactly and it fills me with hope to hear such common sense. Another point where I agree with him is in his respect for board member Clare Chesley. In addition to her clear thinking, I find her to be a truly ethical person, who selflessly gives so much of her time on behalf of our children. The beauty of Monrovia is in its people.
- Miriam Childers
Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com