Monrovia School Link ~ Number 142 ~ September 28, 2005
I haven't attended a board meeting in a long time, which makes it easy for me to contrast what I saw tonight with what it was like before; no slow transitions that might have masked the change for me. First, the study session was right out in the open and there were real people watching (imagine that!). Also, at the regular board meeting there was real discussion going on. You could see the process and the thinking involved in coming to a decision. It seemed healthy to me.
~ brad@sacklunch.net
CANDIDATES ~ Well, I (Brad) walked in a bit early - during a study session - and was pleased to see candidate Chris Rich already there, apparently watching the study session. "Whatcha been up to?" I asked. He said he's been doing a lot of reading about school affairs. In my interview with him I sorta kinda suggested he needed to bone up a bit on that, so I was glad to hear that. Also, he hung around until the end of the meeting; I was impressed. Candidate Debbie Elliott-Penzer came in for the main meeting and I asked her what she'd been doing. She said she's been busy going to meetings, so I guess she's been learning as well.
NO RESERVATIONS ~ Ed Gililland took the oath of office to fill the seat of departing Betty Sandford. I kind of smirked inside when he affirmed that he was taking this action "without any mental reservation." Boy! Considering the heat board members can face, I'd sure have had reservations if it was me up there. Well, he went into it with his eyes open. A bit later he asked people please not to vote for him. His name is only on the ballot, he said, because it is too late to remove it. So, uh, don't vote for him.
PRINCIPALS ~ The board recognized two new principals, both of whom start their duties on Oct. 3. Kirk McGinnis is taking over at Mayflower and Mark Travis at Canyon Oaks/Mountain Park. McGinnis is a Monrovia resident with three children at Mayflower. (Whew! I'd think that would be tough to be principal at your own kids' school.) Board President Monina Diaz said McGinnis believes in "academic rigor." Travis lives in La Habra with his wife and children, and is from Artesia High School. Diaz quoted him as saying that, "Every child can learn if we take the time to learn how they learn."
ACRONYMS ~ Charlotte Schamadan represented the Chamber of Commerce in honoring three employees, Teacher Michelle Auon, media specialist Dennis Sanchez, and groundskeeper Philip Gaul. In passing and somewhat in jest, she mentioned that Monrovia is an "acronymical district." She said, "You read through the minutes and you can hardly understand them" because there are so many acronyms. True. Very true. I'm reminded of the old journalistic rule that the first time you refer to something you spell it out, and put the acronym in parenthesis. So if I want to use three letter acronyms (TLAs), I should first use the words, then put the acronym in parenthesis, so people know what the heck I'm talking about. Later, as if to prove Schamadan's point, a staff member who will remain nameless referred to "FTEs." Superintendent Taylor caught this, and explained that "FTE" stands for "full time equivalent," and if you're still in the dark, that basically means "teacher." Aren't acronyms fun?
TENURE ~ During his report time, member Bruce Carter said the California School Boards Association (CSBA) is opposed to a ballot measure (74, I think it was) that would increase to five the number of years before teachers are tenured. The reason CSBA is opposed, he said, is because it also makes it virtually impossible to fire a teacher. Carter took this as an opportunity to take a jab at the initiative process, but I dunno. The initiative process may have its failings, but after watching the legislature, I'm not sure the initiative process is any worse.
HEALTH AIDES ~ There was a bit of discussion about health care at the schools following the layoff of some health aides. Board members wanted to know about the possibility of getting volunteers or student nurses to do some of the work. Superintendent Taylor said the problem there is in coordinating them. She said the district is still looking into the situation.
CLOSING SCHOOL ~ Throughout the meeting there were several mentions of closing a school. That seems like the sort of thing you wouldn't mention casually since it might seriously upset people, but they did mention it - several times - so I kind of think the board is trying to get people at least used to the idea. Lotsa luck, board. You'll still face hell from the parents and staff of whatever school is shut, if you have to shut one. Anyway, all that leading up to Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Debbie Collins' report that the district is down 69 students this year (the down part is all in the upper grades; the elementary schools are up by 7) and it doesn't look like that will change for the year. With falling enrollment, the board seemed to think that closing a school is a real possibility. No mental reservations? Ed, you can't be serious.
CELEBRATIONS! ~ Well, on a happier note, both Mayflower and Plymouth are 800-plus schools! Which means party time! The board discussed how to honor these two schools, and decided that taking them away from their studies probably wasn't a great way to recognize academic achievement, but maybe a quick ceremony before school would be nice, along with something for the students and maybe a plaque for the school. Taylor suggested something in the number of the school's score, like maybe 841 doughnut holes. Carter quipped, "That'd be great with our nutrition focus." Okay, so maybe not doughnut holes. Maybe a printed pencil. Carter also warned about asking the media to cover the event. "They like to sneer at Monrovia," he said, and compare it to other districts that have all their schools over 800. Hmmm.
EXCESS PROPERTY ~ The board also appointed a District Facilities Advisory Committee to figure out what to do with vacant classrooms at the Canyon Early Learning Center (CELC). Apparently the law requires such a committee to figure out what to do with excess property. Bryan Wong was okay with that but he wanted to make it very clear that the committee was only to consider CELC, and not to consider anything about closing a school. (See, there's the school closing theme again.)
ATTENDANCE ~ Finally, there was a report on teacher attendance. Overall it looks pretty reasonable. In 03-04 there was a 94.53 percent attendance rate; in 04-05 it slipped a tad to 93.32. Also, most absences occurred on Friday. Yeah, I've noticed how people tend to get sick more on Fridays. Something in the Friday air, I guess. A couple board members wanted to know why Monroe Elementary had a rate of "school business" related absences as much as three times as high as other elementary schools. Maybe, staff members suggested, there were different ways of accounting for teacher training and stuff.
LIVING ~ Next meeting - and you haven't really lived unless you've attended at least one school board meeting - is on October 26 at 7 p.m.
REMINDER ~ By the way, please reserve the evening of Tuesday, October 25. At 7 p.m. there will be a candidates' forum at the Monrovia High School auditorium, followed by an opportunity to meet the candidates in the foyer.
LETTER: DON'T VOTE FOR ME ~ From Ed Gililland, who is still on the ballot although he has been appointed to a seat on the board: "It is quite an honor and quite exciting to be able to represent the people of Monrovia on the School Board. I really believe we can continue to make good progress on the road to making our schools the best in the State. Unfortunately it is too late to withdraw my name from the upcoming election, so my name will appear in the voters pamphlet and on the ballot. If there was a way to keep this from happening I would, but the deadline is past and the pamphlets, absentee ballots, and other materials are either being printed or they are already printed. As it is, the best I can do is make a statement to the Star News and other publications when they run their article on the candidates prior to the election. I will also make a statement at the voters forum to be held by PTSA with the League of Women's voters and KGEM at Monrovia High on Oct. 25. I will try to explain the situation and encourage everyone to vote for their choice from the other four candidates on the ballot. Thanks again for your kind words. I look forward to a continued dialogue with you and with the people of Monrovia as we strive to make our schools better."
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