MUSD Governing Board - Special Meeting - 4/08/10

[Maricopa360]

The Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board will hold a special meeting Thursday, April 8th, 2010 in the MUSD Board Room, 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Hwy.  Meeting begins at 6:00 pm.

Agenda: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B1y3j4uxgMBDMGFiMjk2NzEtMWM0Yy00ZDYwLWIzYzQtODg2N2NhMWZkYzk4&hl=en

[eag1864]

I was at another meeting last night.  Anyone have any info on what happened at the governing board meeting last night?

[mallardisme]

The article is up on the Monitor.

In part:
Following recommendations from district administration and an ad hoc budget advisory committee, the Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board voted to reduce in force, or RIF, 89 teachers and to preserve both Maricopa Wells Middle School and free all-day kindergarten for now.

In front of a full audience that dwindled as the night lingered on, the board decided Thursday to RIF each certified employee recommended by the two entities, which includes 24 middle school teachers, 12 kindergarten teachers,  and nine elementary school music and physical education teachers.
However, 19 of the 89 teachers reduced were leaving the district on their own volition, through either a leave of absence or resignation.

The total number of certified employees on the RIF list is and 98, and includes assistant to the superintendent Burnie Hibbard, volunteer coordinator Margaret Jackson and Before and After School Program director Inez Ramirez.

RIFed employees can be brought back to the district before the July 1 start to the next fiscal year if the requisite funding becomes available.?But the night was ruled by discussion of the triumvirate of free all-day kindergarten, closing Maricopa Wells and potentially cutting certified staff and classified staff salaries.


More here: http://www.trivalleycentral.com/articles/2010/04/09/maricopa_monitor/news/doc4bbf4623248f7060822774.txt

[eag1864]

thanks mallard!!!!!!!!!

[mallardisme]

A little more info:
http://www.trivalleycentral.com/breaking_news/doc4bc3a5608d6b9614910181.txt

The Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board could decide the fate of all-day kindergarten Wednesday night.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the board will vote on keeping all-day kindergarten, as well as whether or not to make the program tuition based.
The meeting also will feature a vote to finalize a reduction in force of nearly five dozen district teachers and administrators, including assistant to the superintendent Burnie Hibbard, before and after school programs director Inez Ramirez and former Maricopa High School football coach Eric Reed and current boys’ soccer coach Christophe Ashbrook.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the district office, located at 44150 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway.

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BTW, I really think Eric Mungenast at the Monitor has been doing a great job with this entire story. Certain other media outlets could really learn from the last 4 stories he has had published, IMHO.

[-]

I'm really confused as to what is really going on. I ran into Ean's teacher at the grocery store Saturday and she said they are closing Wells, as well as letting go staff. She said it was a really rough week...

IDK.. sounds like it's all still not decided yet.. and all really depends on the 1% tax.. as well..

[mallardisme]

I'm really confused as to what is really going on. I ran into Ean's teacher at the grocery store Saturday and she said they are closing Wells, as well as letting go staff. She said it was a really rough week...

IDK.. sounds like it's all still not decided yet.. and all really depends on the 1% tax.. as well..

Pretty accurate. There are a lot of things very up in the air. teachers need to be rehired, or not, by April 15. The school closure is not happening today, but it might be in May, same with all day Kindergarten.

This is just not a fun time for anyone right now.

[JeniL]

I'm really confused as to what is really going on. I ran into Ean's teacher at the grocery store Saturday and she said they are closing Wells, as well as letting go staff. She said it was a really rough week...

IDK.. sounds like it's all still not decided yet.. and all really depends on the 1% tax.. as well..

IMHO I feel that Maricopa Wells is being shut down because MUSD IS NOT/ UNWILLING to take the steps to make it a performing schools and does not want the state to come in.  Hire new teachers and turn the school around.  I am waiting for the axe to drop on MES back in January they were under the non-performing schools and I was personally told when I filed my claim against the district/school that they were in the same boat as Maricopa Wells.  Why not shut down both the schools on this side of the tracks just like closing the tracks with NO concern to the residents over here!

[mallardisme]

Honestly, if you have questions, please come by and be a part of the process. There is no money.

Expedetures are XXX income is XX. 85% of the budget is salaries.

If anyone can balance this, please step up.

The last few meetings have run into the wee hours of the morning. (6pm-11:45. 6pm- 12:15)

Everyone would welcome a fresh view. Unfortunatly, we and our kids are hosed. There just is no money. With that being said, the Ad-Hock committee and the district have had to look at what will be cut. Nobody is happy. No matter what is cut, it is not popular.

There are also laws involved. PE and Music are set, federal guidelines won't allow those cuts. SPED can't be cut (Although I think many of us that pay attention think they already have been)

Gaaa... Come out to the next meeting. But, if you do, please grab a copy of the working budget first. We have all cried over the cuts and many of the arguments have already been debated.

...And no. I will not advocate a new tax to cover these expenses. If I did, I know we would be asked to do similar in 3 years after that money is gone.

[JeniL]

Honestly, if you have questions, please come by and be a part of the process. There is no money.

Expedetures are XXX income is XX. 85% of the budget is salaries.

If anyone can balance this, please step up.

The last few meetings have run into the wee hours of the morning. (6pm-11:45. 6pm- 12:15)

Everyone would welcome a fresh view. Unfortunatly, we and our kids are hosed. There just is no money. With that being said, the Ad-Hock committee and the district have had to look at what will be cut. Nobody is happy. No matter what is cut, it is not popular.

There are also laws involved. PE and Music are set, federal guidelines won't allow those cuts. SPED can't be cut (Although I think many of us that pay attention think they already have been)

Gaaa... Come out to the next meeting. But, if you do, please grab a copy of the working budget first. We have all cried over the cuts and many of the arguments have already been debated.

...And no. I will not advocate a new tax to cover these expenses. If I did, I know we would be asked to do similar in 3 years after that money is gone.

This program has been cut to the bare bones and your child will be overlooked if you do not step up and have a voice.  Be it going to the state or and attorney.

[mallardisme]

Bingo.


But, darn it, if there is anything else we can do, or any ideas that can be laid out, please add them to the table.

There is nobody on the boards or any parents, or teachers, or employees that are happy with any of the cuts.

Each cut is painfull. Each outcome hurts. many people are trying to spread the pain evenly and trying to not hurt anyone. However, many will be hurt.

$20 comes in $35 goes out. In the end, that deficit needs to be made up. Our children will make up that difference.

[AzSandSlinger]

As far as I'm concerned.. the Sped budget issue is BS.. if the State MANDATES certain levels.. then it is the STATE'S responsibility to cover those costs (Hello Gov. Brewski.. do you have your clitty to the pulse of AZ? or are you to busy padding your own budget?).. the Sped budget should not be an issue to be cut.. How can legislator's MANDATE that "x-amount" MUST be spent to Sped and CANNOT be cut.. while in the same breath say "the State won't cover it and the City must pass a tax to budget it"..

Yes, people need to voice their concerns.. but that voice needs to be directed to the irresponsible Repug-majority in State Legislature that have made careers for their deceptiveness.. all under the guise of "conservatism"...

-Shane