Monrovia School Link

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 165 ~ April 3, 2006

I got a couple items I wanted to pass along to everyone. First, if you are interested, there will be a kick-off celebration of the Measure M Bond Campaign (High School Bond Measure) on Monday, April 3, 2006 from 5:15 to 6:15 at The Monrovian restaurant, upstairs. Also, Clare Chesley sent me a budget of what will be done with the bond money, if it passes, and how much everything will cost. Feel free to pass it on to anybody who might be wondering what the money will go for.
~ brad@sacklunch.net


Here's how the district plans to spend the bond money:


MONROVIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
MONROVIA HIGH SCHOOL
AMENDED MASTER PLAN
March 8, 2006

SCIENCE BUILDING: $12,000,000

EXISTING SCIENCE BUILDING (14300sf @ $220/sf): $3,146,000
Complete Modernization
Tile Roof
Ceilings/lights
Move walls
Tech stations
White boards
Interior paint
Exterior sandblast & repair
HVAC

GYM New Facility: $8,000,000

STADIUM WITH CLASSROOMS: $1,800,000

TRACK & FOOTBALL FIELD: $2,700,000

TECHNOLOGY: $1,000,000

LIBRARY MEDIA UPGRADE: $350,000
Ceilings
Tech Area

ARTS BUILDING/UPGRADE: $2,150,000

BUILDING MODERNIZATION: $5,500,000
Hvac Upgrade
Ceiling/Lights
Exterior Sandblast/finish coat
Classroom flooring/hardware
Exit lighting/corridors
Auditorium - sound seating

MODERNIZATION OF SITE: $825,000
Drainage issues
Site work Friendship circle
Entry approach Building C
Marquee - signage allowance

Sub total: $37,471,000

20% Escalation: $7,529,000

TOTAL PROBABLE COST: $45,000,000



Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 164a ~ March 24, 2006
I would have liked to get a picture of the students at their desks to show how tight it is (Rich said the classrooms are accomodating more than the maximum number of students they were built for), but I'm not supposed to show faces, so I couldn't. But I did sneak to the rear to shap this picture to show how the back of the room is cluttered with equipment because of the lack of storage space.


Rich said that modern science education requires computers, but there's no room for computers in these classrooms. Students have to get their computer assignments, go over to the school library to work on computers there, then come back. Very inconvenient.

Also, because of the lack of labs, it is very difficult for classes to get lab time. And because of the lack of regular classroom space, the labs are also used for lectures, which further limits their availability for lab work.

Rich said the school needs to have two Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry classes. It only has room for one. It also needs two physics and biology AP classes, but it only has room for one of each. Also, he said, the honors classes are similarly limited.

So basically, the problem is not structural. The science building is a solid-looking structure that looks as if it could last another hundred years, it's just that there's no room.

If the bond passes, the district will construct a modern science building and refurbish the old science building for regular classes.

Here's a shot of where the new science building will be built if the bond passes.


Although the temporary buildings on the east side of the campus are not going to be replaced if the bond passes, they're not in great shape. Rich said they've been there since the 1960s, and have dry rot. I snapped a picture of the dry rot. It's not just bare wood. I poked it and it's mushy. Other spots on the walls are covered with metal plate to cover dry rot holes.


Next, the gymnasium. It looks as if it has been well maintained, but Rich said that it's too small to accomodate sports events and spectators. He said the gym has a legal limit of 525 people, and that "any game will pack it out." He said the school has had to turn away 1,000 people at times.

Also, the seating is the kind that collapses up against the walls. But when it is pulled out for people to sit on it comes out way too close to the court. I couldn't take pictures because there were too many students, and, again, I'm not supposed to take their pictures.

If passed, the bond money will pay for a new gym, which would go here, on the north side of campus. The old one will be used for practice.


Next, seating at the football stadium. Rich said the school used to have one of those stadium-seating-locker-room type buildings, but it rotted years ago and had to be torn down. Now, the seating is just seating - no locker rooms or anything.


Also, Rich said, the wooden planking needs to be constantly replaced. Here's a picture of a step. It's still sturdy, but I'm sure that with weathering and foot traffic, that he is right about it being a maintenance problem.



Next, we visited the classrooms for video technology room and photography. If the bond passes, these would be refurbished. Both rooms are a bit shabby, with broken windows and equipment cluttered in the back of the photo room. Not a great shot, here, but you can kinda see the shabby windows.


Nevertheless, the video tech students just keep winning statewide awards.


Last stop on the tour was the ceramics building. The outside is what my colorful grandma would have called "a disgrace to the hooty owls," whatever that means.


The inside looks better, but instructor Sal Perez said that when it rains the water comes running right through the building and out the front door. He pokes at the wall to show me the dry rot and said that there aren't enough sinks, especially when 30 students need to clean up at the same time. Also, he'd like more electrical outlets for electrically-powered pottery wheels.

Last picture. I took this shot because it made me feel bad, because I think it would be a lot easier for the Wildcats to be proud of their school with some better facilities.


So anyway, I'm now 100 percent in favor of the school bond. I hope you are, too.

CORRECTION: Apparently I need glasses. There is nothing about the upcoming bond measure on this agenda. I saw "Pending Board Issues" in the agenda and thought it said "Pending Bond Issues." My apologies to all. - Brad


Monrovia School Link ~ Number 163 ~ March 19, 2006

The board is going to discuss the bond measure it put on the ballot at its coming meeting. For some reason this hot topic has been scheduled toward the end of the meeting. I dunno. I think I'd move it nearer the beginning of the meeting since some people will probably want to show up just for this and you don't want to keep them waiting. Anyway, here's the schedule.
~ brad@sacklunch.net

Here's basically what's happening at the meeting this Wednesday, March 22:
There'll be a closed session at 5 p.m., a study session at 6:15 p.m., and the regular board meeting at 7 p.m.


At the closed session the board will talk about:

- Some explusion cases at Monrovia High and Clifton Middle School.
- The district's negotiations with the Monrovia Teacher's Association.


At the study session the board will talk about:
- Discuss the California High School Exit Exam


At the regular session:

- The Chamber of Commerce and board will honor Jan Marlia, Clerical Assistant at Clifton Middle School; Lyle West, Teacher at Clifton Middle School; Erin Thorn, Instructional Aide at Wild Rose Elementary; and Sally Sims, Teacher at Wild Rose Elementary School.

- The board will honor Bill Beebe, chosen by the Northwest San Gabriel Valley School Administrators Association as its 2006 Golden Apple Recipient.

- The board will honor Monrovia High School students and their advisors for their participation in Youth and Government day in Sacramento.

[Congratulations to all you honorees!]

- The Superintendent will give a report on projects completed using the 1997 bond funds.

- Receive for first reading revised Board Policy 1330, governing the use of school facilities

- The board will talk about the school bond measure it put on the June ballot.


Also on the Web at http://sacklunch.net/MonroviaSchoolLink/newmsl.

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 162 ~ March 14, 2006

Following is a letter from Monrovia School Board President Clare Chesley about the bond issue. Because she indicates the matter is urgent, I thought I’d send it out right away.
~ brad@sacklunch.net

To All,

Well, the rest period is over and the MHS bond campaign must get started. The bad news is that we have less than 90 days before the election. The good news is it will be over before we know it. So, we must start NOW and work fast and furiously.

There will be a MHS Bond Campaign Organizational meeting at the home of Kris Mariconda on Monday, March 20 at 5:30 pm. Her home address is 123 E. Greystone. It is on the corner of Greystone and Encinitas. Please mark your calendars and spread the word!

Susan Goff has agreed to chair the campaign committee. Susan is a strong, well-organized and enthusiastic parent who graduated from MHS and worked at Santa Fe. Her children went through Monrovia schools and she has been the Executive Director of the California Teachers Association and is fired up about the bond campaign. Joanne Spring, former Monroe principal, Monrovia Reads Director, Iris citizen of the year award recipient, etc. has graciously stepped up to the plate to offer her wisdom and insight to the MHS Bond campaign and will serve as honorary campaign chair. We are very grateful for their support.

But the campaign is a big job and we NEED many volunteers.

I've agreed to serve as the Volunteer chair - that is the person who people go to who want to help. My office email, phone, fax, copier etc. will be the central distribution point for volunteers. So, if you want to help, contact me and I'll direct you to where your passions lie and where the needs are.

We need volunteers for the following campaign chairs and related areas (you may think up more areas but this list will get us started):

1.) Public Relations (We need a Chairperson. Gloria Crudgington will serve as advisor to the PR chair using her Foothills campaign experience - Thank you, Gloria!)
Mailers (Design, printing, mailing) (Cleve Crudgington has offered to be the voting database guy - Thank you, Cleve!)
Signs (Billboards and yard signs)
Website (Design and hosting)
Video (To be aired at events and on KGEM)
MHS Tours
Speaking Bureau (Kiwanis, Rotary, Quota, Lions, Senior clubs, etc...)

2.) Fundraising
Cash Donors
Donors in kind
List of Endorsements
Treasury, FPPC filing, etc. (Steve Baker has volunteered to do the paperwork - Yuck! This is not a fun job so a big Thank You to Steve!)

3.) Get out the Vote (Chairperson = Debbie Elliott-Penzer)
Phone bank (Tom Adams has volunteered his offices at Adams & Barnes for the phone bank - Thank you Tom!)
Walking Precincts
Register Voters!

4.) Also, we need to plan a Kick-off Party. We need a "Party Planner" to take care of the Kick-Off Party. I know there are several party planning types out there.

Here are some important campaign rules and parameters which we reviewed with our legal counsel.

1.) School District Staff and Resources
School district staff and resources including facilities cannot be used for the MHS bond campaign. District staff can provide information about the bond measure but cannot advocate for the bond during work hours or on work premises or use school equipment. So, we would love to have teachers and staff help with the bond campaign but they must do so on their own time, using their own computers, phone, etc. As long as they are on their own time, a staff person can identify themselves as a district staff person and say that they support the bond. For example, on the weekends, a teacher can call and talk to people and let them know they are a teacher and that they support the bond. Please do not tempt a staff person (teachers, Dr. Taylor, office staff) by talking to them during the school day or sending them an email to their work email address about the bond campaign! If you have a fact question about the bond itself, how bond monies will be spent or MHS facility needs, the staff can answer those types of questions, but make sure to not discuss the bond campaign.

2.) PTAs
PTAs can campaign for the bond. The only question we had was whether the bond campaign can be discussed at PTA meetings on school property. Our counsel said that school board members and staff cannot advocate for the bond at the PTA meetings but we can discuss the facts of the bond. The PTA board members and parents, on the other hand, have much more latitude and can discuss the bond at PTA meetings and can pass a resolution in support of the bond if they so choose. And we need the PTAs! (I can advocate from my computer. :-))

3.) School Board Members
School Board members can campaign as individuals and as school board members as long as we don't use district resources. So, for example, as the campaign volunteer chair, I can and will use my office phone, email, copier etc. As board members, we do have to be careful about the Brown Act. More than two board members cannot attend a campaign meeting without violating the Brown Act unless it is publicly noticed. So, we will try to keep the number to 2 at any one campaign meeting. Board members are entitled to express our opinions with respect to the campaign and report feedback from the community and discuss facility needs at board meetings. And, finally, we may solicit support using our names and board status.

4.) Professionals
We can use outside professionals with expertise in campaigns. But remember, they cost money and we believe a grass-roots, Monrovia-based campaign will be most effective. So, we will delegate to professionals when we have the money and the need, but the lion's share of the campaign will depend on YOU ALL.

Thanks in advance for all of your hard work and remember - The MHS Bond is for the kids!

Respectfully,
Clare Chesley, School Board President

Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 161 ~ March 9, 2006

How about this! Two reports about one evening. Yesterday I filed a report about the special bond meeting Wednesday night, and now we get Maritza's report on the regular meeting held later in the evening. By the way, I hope you all saw today's (March 9) Star-News. There was a comprehensive - and I thought, accurate - report on the whole bond meeting by reporter Molly R. Okeon. Nice job, Molly.
~ brad@sacklunch.net


By Maritza Diaz

This was the first time that I had trouble finding parking at a school board meeting. It was packed. As I waited outside the board room with many high school varsity athletes, we heard a loud applause. To which someone replied, "I guess they passed the bond [measure]."

The regular board meeting wasn’t as exciting as the special meeting. In fact, this was a really short meeting. No doubt the board was wiped out from all that bond business.

CHAMPIONS ~ The best part of the board meetings is the honoring of teachers and students. This time three league champions from Monrovia High were honored. The girls varsity soccer team, the girls varsity basketball team and the boys wrestling team. Each player went up to receive a small medal for their outstanding efforts in making their team champions. Way to go Monrovia High!

EASY STUFF ~ During the board reports Ed Gililland said he was excited about seeing the energy and enthusiasm from the high school students after the board's visit to the school this past week. He also said we will see good things come from the high school and that if the bond is passed, Monrovia High will be a world-class high school.

President Clare Chesley attended the soccer championship with her daughter and had a great time. She also added that the board’s vote to put the bond issue on the ballot was the easy part and she wanted to remained everyone that the hard work is up ahead.

FINALIST ~ Congratulations Wild Rose Elementary! Superintendent Louis Taylor announced the school is a finalist for the prestigious California Distinguished School Award. Cross your fingers everyone.

PURCHASE ~ Problems with approving purchase orders has come up quite often. The issue is that not enough detailed information is able to be pulled from the current software the district uses. Chief Business Officer Linda Dempsey pulled this item from the consent agenda to offer a worksheet that clarifies some numbers. Chris Rich said that providing more information is just one of those things that need work.

STAFFING ~ What's a board meeting without projections and numbers? Last board meeting an enrollment and staffing report was presented that did not include the final number for the Monrovia High (due to change in the block schedule). The projected enrollment for October 2006 is 5,978 (a decrease of 146 students from 2005). The amount of reductions of seven staff members is included in projections for 2006-07.

CASES ~ What's going on with all the expulsion cases lately? Yet again the board voted to expel a student from Monrovia High and voted to readmit another. It's a good thing that the district is dealing with trouble students, but at the same time, one has to wonder.

VISIT ~ The board will stop by and visit Canyon Oaks on March 24, bright and early at 7:30 a.m.

Let's see if next time people will have a hard time finding parking. March 22. 7:00 p.m. Be there.

LETTER ~ I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you dedicated souls who voiced your support for the MHS bond.

I want to briefly explain the board's change of position. As I stated at Monday's meeting, the decision to move the library parcel tax election to next March, 2007 was instrumental in clearing the way for the MHS bond to be put on the ballot this June, 2006. I must be honest and say that after the initial failed vote, I was very disappointed with my fellow board members because I thought they let me down. Throughout the following week, I came to the realization that it was the other way around, I had let them down. I really failed to appreciate their position and the incredible mountain of information they had to absorb in such a short time. I apologized to them personally and publicly at the Monday meeting. But, I feel it is very important that I apologize again in writing and that all of you understand that their "no" votes were made for valid reasons, just as their "yes" votes last night were made for valid reasons.

All you sports fans should really thank Clarence Shaw for his idea to look at the $45 million stand alone bond in order to include the all weather track and artificial turf field, etc. I believe he was inspired by the beautiful Downey athletic facilities when he attended the CIF Girls soccer championship game. And, I think you art fans should really thank Chris Rich for his push for the arts facility and auditorium upgrades. Obviously, my passion is the science building, so if any of your kids build a space-based Hilton, I hope I'll get to go spend a night. Don't forget to say a big thank you to Bryan who has spent months working diligently on the bond itself, spending hours on the phone talking with the bond underwriters, gathering all the financing information, patiently explaining the multiple scenarios to all of us and never losing sight of the ball in terms of putting together a "passable bond". And finally, "Big M Booster" Ed Gilliland really stands for (as we all do) the whole Enchilada. Ed Gilliland's name will always be synonymous with the Wildcats.

So once again, thank you all so much for your emails, for coming to the meetings and for your unfailing commitment to our kids. But please don't sit back, relax and celebrate, at least not for too long. Believe it or not, getting the bond to the ballot was the easy part. We must now roll up our shirt sleeves and do the heavy lifting. I know we can launch a fantastic campaign that will take Brad and ALL Monrovians to the 100% full support mark.

Respectfully,
Clare Chesley, Board President

Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 160 ~ March 8, 2006

I don't think I've ever seen a school board get a standing ovation before, but tonight the Monrovia School Board got one. More on that in a minute, but I just wanted to mention that this report is just about the 5:30 p.m. special meeting on the school bond. Maritza will file a report later on the regular meeting later in the evening.
~ brad@sacklunch.net


BOND ON BALLOT ~ As you may recall, the board earlier voted NOT to put a $37 million bond measure on the June ballot, but the uproar was pretty enormous from people who wanted the bond, so the question was again put on the board's agenda. Well, tonight the board still rejected a $37 million bond. Instead it bumped it up to $45 million and passed it unanimously, so the bond proposal will appear on the June ballot.

The decision came after numerous comments from a packed audience, all of the comments in favor of a bond, and some of the comments from people who had previously objected to the measure, and others from people who said they had come to object to the proposal, but changed their minds.

What changed their minds?

Well, Superintendent Louise Taylor presented a nice financial slide show with three scenarios. One was the original bond proposal, the one that would sort of combine the payments of an already existing 1997 bond measure with the payments for the new bond, which would mean no real tax increase but the bond ultimately cost a lot more to pay off. Two was for the same amount of money, but it didn't combine the payments (so the annual tax rate is higher but it would ultimately be cheaper). Three was an "Oh, let's just go for it" bond of $45 million, that would fund a lot more improvements at the high school. Like the second scenario, it would be separate from the 1997 bond.

The opponents of the bond said they were pleased to see scenarios two and three because their only objection had been the ultimately higher cost of the first scenario.

Then, what was interesting, was that the two people I thought were least likely to vote for the bond, Rich and Shaw, were the two who made the motion to adopt it. Rich made the motion and Shaw seconded it.

I thought the most perceptive comments came from Bryan Wong just before the vote.

He said that the uproar about the bond actually turned out to be a good thing because it brought a lot of attention to the bond. He said that because of the "energy" that he's seen he is "comfortable" with going with scenario three, although all of the district's bond advisors have said that it won't pass. But, he said, because of that energy, he thinks it can. He said he thinks that he can tell his neighbor in good faith that "for the cost of an extra tank of gas each month you can have a state of the art high school."

But then he gave a little warning and abruptly ended:

"If the enthusiasm is lost," he said, "the high school is lost."

So, what does this $45 million bond buy, assuming the voters approve it?

- A new science lab building
- Classroom modernization
- Converting the old science building to be regular classrooms
- Heating and air conditioning work
- A regulation size gym
- Improvements on the stadium
- Technology
- An all-weather track
- An artificial turf field (which member Gililland said would save watering expenses)
- An arts building

At the end of the meeting, after the vote and during the cheering, I glanced up and saw a pleased Bryan Wong lean back in his chair with cheeks puffed out as he blew sort of a "Whew! That's over."

What was it Churchill said? Something about it not being the end, but the end of the beginning. Well, that was the end of the beginning, but the main battle - getting the measure passed, especially since it's larger (in one sense) than the consultants advised - is, as Wong said, the crucial issue, and it's coming up fast.

So... nice going, school board. Why don't you take some time off to relax. Say, from about midnight to 4 a.m. Then, how about some tours of the science building to show its problems? I'm up for it. And, at the risk of being repetitive, now's the time to start giving the detail I've been whining about. I'm 90 percent convinced that the bond is a good thing, but I'd like to be up at 100 percent.


Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 159 ~ March 7, 2006

Update: The school board will vote on whether to put the bond measure on the June ballot at a special 5:30 p.m. meeting this Wednesday, March 8, not at the regular 7 p.m. meeting. Also, I want to clarify my "art" comment from last issue.
~ brad@sacklunch.net


BOND MEETING ~ The 5:30 p.m. meeting has just one action item, a vote on whether to authorize "a facilities bond election on June 6, 2006, and establishing the specifications of the election order." There will be an opportunity for the public to speak as well, so show up if you have a comment.

BAD BRAD ~ Judging from some responses I've been getting, I apparently did not express myself very well in the last newsletter when I said that the science building being built in 1927 doesn't impress me and that $37 million is a lot to spend on art.

Let me try again.

What I was trying to do was to figure out the best way to persuade the public that this bond is worth voting for. I tried to do that by figuring out what would be the best way to persuade me, and my thinking is this:

I think Monrovia voters are going to want a lot more detail about what EXACTLY is wrong with the current science building. Telling people it was built in 1927 is interesting and suggestive, but there are a lot of old buildings that are just fine. What is it EXACTLY that we can't easily do in the old science building? What is it EXACTLY that we could do better with a new science building? Show people EXACTLY how students' education will be improved by the new facility.

And when I said that $37 million is a lot to spend for art, I was commenting on remarks I've heard that the new science building would be "beautiful." I meant to suggest that the beauty of the new buildings (which I equated to art) is not the main point. Improving education is the main point.

So what I'm suggesting is that the district not focus on 1927 or on the new buildings being beautiful, but rather that it focus on all the specific ways the old building is hindering education and all the specific ways the new building would enhance it.

I've also had a couple messages suggesting I tour the high school science building and compare it with the new science classrooms at Clifton and Santa Fe. That's a good idea. But again, I'm trying to think of the best way to sell this to the public, and most people aren't going to take a tour of the schools. You have to take the message to them, and my contention is that the more specific proofs you can offer that the old building is a mess and the new building will be a blessing, the better.

Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 158 ~ March 6, 2006

The question of whether to put a bond measure on the June ballot is going to be considered again, this Wednesday, by the Monrovia School Board. At Monday's meeting Board President Clare Chesley said that any member of the community can put an issue on the agenda, so - as a member of the community - she did it.
~ brad@sacklunch.net


Now, whether the proposal to put a bond on the June ballot will get enough "yes" votes on Wednesday is an interesting question. I'd say Clare Chesley and Bryan Wong would rather be strung up by their toenails than vote no. So that's two votes in favor. Then there's Ed Gililland, who talked about how good facilities make it possible to recruit good teachers, and how you have to expect that you're going to pay back a lot more on a bond then just the principal. So he's in the yes column? Well... After saying that, he said his one concern is about whether the district could mount a "credible campaign" to get the bond passed. So I'm putting him in the "leaning yes" camp.

Member Chris Rich said he was concerned that he hadn't had time to fully digest the bond proposal and voted as he did partly because he hadn't had adequate time to really understand it. However, he also suggested that the district needed to focus on academics and getting a fairer share of school money from the state, and that maybe they could find a millionaire who'd like a science building named after him or her. Okay, I think I'll put Rich in the "leaning no" category.

Finally, Clarence Shaw. He said the district has four schools that are not making the federally mandated Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). I didn't quite get what this had to do with bonds, but whatever. Later, however, he said that he didn't think the no vote the last time the board voted on the matter was - as Chesley put it - an example of politics winning out. "I don't believe politics won out," he said. "I believe relationships won out." That comment suggests to me that he's leaning pretty strongly in the no direction.

Regarding the "politics won out" comment, that was - ahem - the mild part of Chesley's comments. She added that in the partnership between the district and city, "the truth needs to be central." But, she said, getting warmed up, "The mayor's remarks were disengenuous at best." She said Mayor Rob Hammond told her that he would actively campaign against the bond measure before there was any discussion about the financing method. She said the city has "actively meddled in matters that are the board's responsibility." She finished by saying she hoped the city would support the bond, "or at least not actively campaign against it."

Also, it was a public hearing, so quite a few people had their say. One couple objected to the method of financing the bond, which they felt would cost Monrovians too much, but most speakers told the board they wanted the bond to go on the ballot. One PTA president said the reason she didn't show up at the meeting where the bond was originally discussed was because, "I didn't think I'd have to defend my children against you."

Ouch!

Another parent said she wanted the measure on the ballot and "I don't wanna wait for no mayor and I don't wanna wait for no library."

Ah yes, the library.

Former board member Bruce Carter said that the city had decided not to put its library bond measure on the June ballot, so for those who believed that two bond measures would be too much, or too confusing, that problem no longer exists.

Okay, if you're interested in this topic, Wednesday night's for you. The board will vote again on whether to put the bond on the June ballot.

One last comment: Superintendent Louise Taylor gave a pretty good presentation of the whole bond situation. She started off by showing a slide of MHS and saying how beautiful it is on the outside. The problem, she said, is on the inside. This led me - naturally - to assume that the next thing I'd be seeing would be pictures from the inside of rusty pipes and water stained ceilings. No pictures. Well, alright, but if this measure goes on the ballot I really want good evidence of why it is necessary (and post it on the Web) and of what's wrong with the current science building. Repeatedly telling me that it was built in 1927 doesn't impress me. Show me what's wrong with it. Describe what could be done with new facilities that can't as easily be done with the current facilities. Also, I'm sure - as some have said - that new facilities would be beautiful, but $37 million is an awful lot of money for art. I'm happy if it's beautiful, but I'm not really interested in buying art; I want to know what functional improvements that money will buy. Don't get me wrong, I think I'm in favor of this bond, but ya gotta show me.


Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 157 ~ March 5, 2006

Will the school board reconsider its 3-2 decision to NOT put a bond measure to refurbish Monrovia High on the next ballot? It appears likely, so if you have an opinion on the topic, make sure to attend tomorrow's (Monday's) special bond meeting. You'll get the chance to speak. Also, though there's no bond stuff on Wednesday's agenda, I've been told it may be added, so consider attending that one as well.
~ brad@sacklunch.net

Two school board meetings this week. The board meets at the school district office at 325 E. Huntington Drive, across from Smart & Final.

Tomorrow, Monday, March 6, there will be a study session at 5:30 p.m. for "the sole purpose of the special study session ... to receive and discuss information related to a facilities bond election."

There will be a presentation by Bond Counsel David Casnocha, of Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, regarding bond elections, a presentation of bond information from Superintendent Louise Taylor, and the opportunity for public comment.

Although it doesn't say so on the agenda, I've heard the plan is to put the bond proposal (which was voted down at the last regular meeting) back on the agenda for this Wednesday's meeting.

This seems likely since it seems rather pointless to even discuss the bond measure if there was not some thought to reconsidering it. I'm guessing the board members who voted against it last time have heard an earful and are reconsidering.

So anyway, if you are interested in getting the bond measure (to refurbish Monrovia High) onto the June ballot, or - for that matter - preventing it from getting on the ballot, you may want to show up this Monday.

This Wednesday (March 8) is the regular board meeting. The agenda doesn't mention anything about the bond measure, but I suspect it could be added.

What is currently on the Wednesday agenda is - among other things:

- A closed session at 5 p.m. to talk about contract negotions with the teachers, something about a "Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release" and a performance evaluation of the Superintendent and district administrators. By the way, this part of the meeting is closed, so you can't attend.

Then, at the open meeting at 7 p.m., the board will:

- Honor the Monrovia High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team, Girls Varsity Basketball Team, and MHS Boys Wrestling Team.

- Get a report on what the district did with the money from the 1997 bond money.

- Get a report about school enrollment.

- And other stuff. Who knows. Maybe something about bonds.

LETTERS ~ Also, I might add that I just noticed quite a few postings on the Monrovia School Link Web site (where I archive these things) about alleged harassment (and death threats?!) at Bradoaks School, unfortunately, all posted anonymously. You can see them here: http://sacklunch.net/MonroviaSchoolLink/newmsl/2006/02/monrovia-school-link-preview-number_22.html .

Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com

Monrovia School Link ~ Number 156 ~ March 1, 2006

The school board's 3-2 decision to NOT put a bond measure to refurbish Monrovia High on the next ballot has certainly caused a reaction. I've had people write me directly and I've been copied on quite a few other letters. Below are a number of letters on either side of the question, including a response - just a few minutes ago - from Monrovia Mayor Rob Hammond. There's no board meeting report here, just letters.
~ brad@sacklunch.net

LETTER: EDUCATION FIRST ~ I think it is very sad that we have put the education of our students on hold. Science is a very important subject. Has anyone taken a look at our high school? It is very old and needs a upgrade. So because the City waited so long for a bond for the library, (I believe 5 years? What is up with that?) the students of Monrovia have to wait because of them. Our youth are the future of this city. I believe that the city should have waited. (November) I believe that the education of the students should have been first. I also believe that the mayor and city should be thinking of the education of the students in their city. The school board shouldn't have attacked in the manner they were by the city. Not good! The library is an important issue, but I believe that if we do not get an upgrade at the High School soon we will just be sending more and more students to private schools or other districts in the area with better facilities. Take a look at the other high schools in our area. That means less and less funds for the district. There are many families that already send their students to private schools that live in Monrovia. And people will not want to come to Monrovia and purchase homes with an outdated high school ( not a good selling point)! I feel that we have let the students in Monrovia down! I am very sorry that the board voted that way. Student education should come first to the board before a city library!

Debbie Elliott-Penzer
Sad Monrovia Parent :-(

LETTER: LIBRARY BENEFITS ALL ~ Not only am I a teacher in Monrovia, but I am a resident as well. Thank you for presenting an objective overview to the Board Meetings. I agree with the consensus that the school bond would not pass. I realize we need new science facilities but we also need to improve the quality of instruction not just the quality of the buildings. The current library was new when I moved to Monrovia in 1957 and it is smaller than many homes at this point. A new library benefits all ages in our city and contributes to our city's literacy. Thanks for letting me vent.
Suzette Williams

LETTER: FRUSTRATED ~ Dear School Board Members,
I would like to add my name to the large list of parents with children in the MUSD who are disappointed and highly frustrated with the fact that the board has rejected the idea of placing the school bond measure on the June ballot. The facilities at MHS are in dire need of improvement and this is an issue that needs to be put before the citizens of Monrovia. Please, please change your mind about this and do the right thing for the children of Monrovia. It is important to upgrade the quality of the school to give the students a better learning environment, and give them an advantage in their road to success.

Thank You!
Laura Williams,
Future MHS Parent


LETTER: LIBRARY AND SCHOOL ~ I believe that all of the citizens of Monrovia want to live in the best possible community. That means a first class library as well as first rate schools. I also believe that we will have both. I believe that the School Board and the City Council can, and will, continue to work together for the good of the community. But as with every other issue that has caused public outcry, it may take time for wounds to heal and trust to be re-established. I urge my fellow Monrovians to request information from both sides, City Council and the School Board. I urge both sides to present comprehensive information regarding their issues with the proposed bonds, as well as presenting the findings of the survey commitees. I would like to suggest that they post the information on their respective web sites as well as other public forums. There really is no such thing as "too much information" when it comes to these issues. The vote is over, we can't go backwards. Let's work together to move forwards and make sure that we can fund improvements for the High School and build a new library.
June Richetts


LETTER: WHAT HAPPENED? ~ With all due respect, I had to write this message. I feel that I would be letting my children down if I didn't send this message out to you right away. It was my ONE optimistic hope for our high school that you would put a bond measure up before us (the parents, the voters) so that one day soon, help, hope and encouragement would be theirs to own. A school that has through the years been the victim of criticism and negligence, a school trying so hard to do so much with so little, a school in dire need of our help. Instead, it is with great sadness and disappointment, I come to learn that you have taken that one small glimpse of hope that I as a parent and a citizen had for that school. I cannot comprehend how it is that you, our board, said "NO" to our children? I don't understand how it is that you listened to members of this community who DO NOT EVEN have children in our schools? As I recall, throughout your campaigning days, didn't you ALL state that the high school would be a "top priority?" What happened, gentlemen? When did you loose sight of our school? It couldn't be the timing - this is years and years long overdue! It couldn't be the money - I will quote you, "...if we wait much longer, the building and restoration costs will only go up and up, how much more will it then costs the taxpayers?" Who said that during a recent board meeting? I am saddened to say, but I feel like you have somehow let us down. I feel that you are keeping us from creating an opportunity for that school. I urge you please to reconsider what you've just voted down. Right now, there is no greater challenge before you than that high school. Please, see to it that the children of Monrovia don't miss out on having a better education, because YOU didn't see the forest for the trees!

Respectfully,
Maria A. Gray
(Parent and Citizen)


LETTER: RECONSIDER ~ To all members of the School Board:
I am deeply thankful for all you do and the selfless gift of time and energy that you provide to all of our community. However, I must say that I am deeply disappointed that the plans to improve Monrovia High School seem to have been placed on hold and that this critical issue won't be brought up to the voters. I am a parent of four children and three have attended Monrovia schools. I am a graduate of MHS and my oldest child just began attending there this year. I was quite surprised that while Mayflower Elementary and Clifton Middle School have gone through great renovations, the High School looks so run down. It was brought out at the last school board meeting that our science labs have not experienced any renovation since 1928! Our child is a GATE student and was accepted to Cal State LA during her 6th grade to begin attending summer classes at the university. So it is quite shocking for her to go from Mayflower to Clifton and to Cal State and then go to Monrovia High School and see the tremendous difference in facilities. I wasn't too concerned at the beginning of the year, since I knew that renovations were in the works, but I am now reconsidering whether my child will stay at MHS. I strongly urge you to reconsider this very important matter and to put it in the ballot and let the voters decide. I know that Monrovians take very seriously the education of our children. The success of our students benefits all of us. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Miriam Childers
Monrovia resident and parent of Monrovia School District students


LETTER: ARE WE OBTUSE? ~ To Monrovia School Board Members, After hearing about the recent school board meeting I was in disbelief, I had to watch the replay on KGEM. One speaker after another talked emotionally but without real substance, that is except one -- former board member Bruce Carter. Dr. Carter stated very simply that the bond measure is long overdue and that unless we move forward we will be failing our children. Other speakers kept focusing on problems with the bond measure, however, their only solution was to wait and "educate" the community. Are we as a community so obtuse that we can't understand what a bond measure is and what it means to our children between now and June? What I do understand is that waiting only raises construction costs and interest rates. One speaker after another spoke of relationships and so-called deceptive tactics related to the bond measure. Unfortunately, the biggest deception was the smokescreen they were trying to create. None was willing to say that their real agenda was getting support for a library parcel tax. Instead, each used faulty reasoning and misinformation in their attack on the bond measure. I currently have three children in the Monrovia schools, the oldest is in 6th grade at Clifton. Given the time it take for construction, unless the bond is passed this year, he will not have time to benefit from changes to the high school that are needed for a first class education. That is unacceptable to me. Please, please reconsider your decision to place the bond measure on the ballot and let the community have a voice and a choice. I understand that your job is extremely difficult, however, as elected board members your duty is to place our children first.

Sincerely,
Ann Hodgdon


LETTER: CHANGE YOUR MIND ~ Dear School Board Members,
I would like to add my name to long list of parents with children in MUSD who are truly disappointed and highly frustrated with the fact that the board has rejected the idea of placing the school bond measure on the June ballot. The facilities at MHS as I have heard and seen are in great need of improvement. My daughter is going to attend MHS next year and I had to talk her into going there. she has been pleading to go to another school due to the fact that the high school doesn't even have an up to date science lab and also the 4 X 4 schedule. I feel that since you are going through with that "Block Scheduling" and the students will be in the same room for a longer amount time, it would be beneficial that they have a place that is more conducive to learning. My daughters have had a great education so far in the Monrovia schoolS and I have convinced many parents on my street to send their children to Bradoaks, Clifton and Monrovia High instead of private schools, but know I feel that I might have led them astray. It is important to upgrade the quality of the school to give the students a better learning environment, and give them an advantage in their road to success. Please, please change your mind about this and do the right thing for the children of Monrovia.

Thank You!
Nora Eskew
MUSD Parent


LETTER: RECONSIDER ~ (This appeared to be addressed to the City Council)
I am very disappointed that you let the citizens of Monrovia and the students of Monrovia down by casting a no vote against the bond measure to repair the High School. I as a citizen feel I have the right to make the decision as to how my tax dollars are spent and when you were campaigning you made it clear that the High School would be a top priority. I urge you to please reconsider your vote and bring back hope to Monrovia's students, parents, grandparents and future Monrovia's.
Sincerely,

Claudia Banando
Tax Payer and Parent

LETTER: FROM MAYOR HAMMOND ~ Hello All, I usually do not write lengthy emails because sometimes the way you would speak does not translate in the way it is written, but try I must.

I wholeheartedly agree with your statements regarding our high school. My children have gone through Monrovia schools and I know first hand of the need. Yet there are other aspects that need to be considered. To fully understand I have to start in 1995. A large group of people were assembled to look at the needs of Monrovia schools. Every school site was under review and every possible problem/solution was being discussed. After a series of meetings the needs of every school were identified and ranked using a phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3 criteria. Simply put, problems that needed immediate attention were phase 1. Problems that needed to be addressed in the near future were phase 2. And finally if money were available it would be nice to see these things done, phase 3. This process took over a year and evolved many times. The needs of each of the campuses were very different and the solutions to the needs were equally different. It is important to note that the high school was very much a part of this study and ultimately was determined that almost $12.3 million be earmarked (both phase 1 and phase 2) for the renovation/addition of the science building, gym, and general repair of the facility. Fully a significant percentage of the bond that passed was to be used for the high school. Anyway back to the story. All during 1996 there were many public hearings talking about the upcoming bond election (June 1997) and expressly seeking public input and encourage folks to take field trips to the schools and see first hand the need. Literally bus loads of people were taken to see the conditions that our children were being asked to learn in. This was very important to let the community know first hand what the needs were as well as to get their buy-in to the solution. After all this leg work was done the real work began. Running the campaign. Running a campaign is different than just saying, here is our ballot statement, vote for this idea. For all the people that took the time to see first hand the conditions of the schools there were probable 3 times that many that did not, yet were going to vote. The big question was, "how do you educate the electorate so that they agree with your ballot initiative"? There is no easy answer. It takes plain old hard work. Day in and day out being single mindedly focused on the education of over 6000 people to the needs and the solution. Thankfully, in June of 1997, the voters returned a yes vote for our schools.

All this leads me to answering your email. What is different today than in 1995, 96 and 1997? Are any campaigns run differently? Should the community be left out of process? Should the problems that face Monrovia High School only be known by those on the inside? While it is true that under Proposition 39 the threshold for a bond to be successful is 55%, there still needs to be extensive community involvement and education to ensure that when the measure is put before the voters it has its best chance of passing. To put an item on a ballot that has not gone through the tried and true steps endangers the outcome, and ultimately dooms the chances of success for years afterward.

I think that the new board members (for that matter the entire board) did a tremendous job in debating this matter. If you have not seen the board meeting please get a copy of it. During the meeting it was fully discussed that the need is there, but the preparation was not done. No one can doubt that the entire board is sympathetic to the needs of Monrovia High School. I will assure everyone that the City Council is waiting to and willing to help when the issue comes forward, but the steps of involving our community to see what the need and desire of our citizens are should not be brushed aside, or ignored. Equally important is the financing of the bond. Full disclosure of the cost of the money should be brought before the community. If it cost $127 million to borrow $30 million then I believe it should be talked about up front. Not involving the community at every avenue courts an unpleasant outcome and is not the way we in Monrovia have always worked together to solve our needs.

I and other members of the city council stand ready to put our collective shoulders to the wheel to help not only Monrovia High School, but the entire district.

Respectfully,
Rob Hammond

Also on the Web at www.monroviaschoollink.com