Monrovia's Xencor has filed "an investigational new drug application with the FDA for a novel monoclonal antibody that was optimized using Xencor's XmAb antibody engineering technology." http://goo.gl/c6e91
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
SoPas Over Monrovia in Swimming :-( | Forest Volunteer Opportunity
~ South Pas Boys and Girls Swim teams over Monrovia. http://goo.gl/H6baP
~ A volunteer opportunity to help restore the watershed along Highway 39 (road up to Crystal Lake), the Forest Service and Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District are sponsoring a couple work days (for which students can get credit). This Saturday and May 5. Details: http://goo.gl/e6yan
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Representative's Bill Would Require Teaching US Constitution
Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, "today presented AB 2546 before the Assembly Education Committee to require that our founding documents and the development of democracy and the U.S. Constitution be taught in public schools. The measure, which passed with bi-partisan support, will also require that a copy of the California Constitution must be available in the classroom for students." http://goo.gl/TW6y8
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Fruit Expert | Cinco de Mayo Volunteers Needed | Shevlin in Lights
~ Dick Spezzano, owner of Monrovia's Spezzano Consulting Service, comments on the summer fruit marketplace. http://goo.gl/FcmLe
~ The City of Monrovia is looking do volunteers to help out with the Cinco de Mayo celebration on, uh, the 29th of April. http://goo.gl/VvFTa
~ Councilwoman Becky Shevlin in lights in Times Square. http://goo.gl/pTkeF
- Brad Haugaard
Be a Monrovia Member of a San Gabriel Valley Traffic Study Team
Metro/Caltrans technical teams are analyzing alternatives in an environmental study in regards to traffic congestion in San Gabriel Valley. If you want to be on a Monrovia Community Liaison Council to provide feedback on the study and be a lisason to the Monrovia community, sign-up by sending an email to sr710study@metro.net with the subject line “CLC Sign-Up,” or call the project hotline - 855.4SR.7100 toll-free. A member of the SR-710
Outreach Team will contact you with information specific to your designated CLC. Source: Metro press release
Monrovia's Mt. Sierra Hiring | Portantino Bills Pass Early Step
~ Monrovia's Mt. Sierra College is hiring. http://goo.gl/qFqYn
~ Two bills by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, to ban the open carry of unloaded long guns and to help branded prostitutes get a fresh start, were approved today in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The measures go to the Assembly floor for a vote later this spring. AB 1527 makes it a crime to openly carry an unloaded rifle or shotgun in any public place and AB 1956 expands eligibility for tattoo removal programs to include prostitutes (pimps have been marking girls with brands or tattoos to indicate they are property). Source: Portantino press release
- Brad Haugaard
Overview of Monrovia Schools Budget: Biggest Challenges in Decades
By Superintendent Linda Wagner
At the present time, schools are facing the biggest budget challenges we have seen in decades. The impacts of the downturn of the economy were felt years ago. As we cut deeper and deeper year after year, these cuts are impacting students at an increasing and alarming level.
Introduction to School Revenue
Monrovia Unified School District receives its funds from several sources. The most significant revenue source is the State of California. Schools are one of the largest places the State funnels their money. The District also receives funds from the Federal government, and local sources.
Slow Economy = Lower School Revenue
School finance is, for better or worse, directly tied to the economy in the State of California. When the economy is bad and property taxes are down, the State does not receive the same amount of money as in the past, and they have less overall dollars to send to the schools.
Dollars are Decreasing Dramatically
The main issue at this time is the dollars for education are shrinking. We are now funded at a per student level that is almost identical to the amount of money we received in 2002-03 per student, and yet operating expenses have increased dramatically. There simply is not enough money to operate our schools. The Governor’s office understands the problem, and is actually considering reducing the school year by as much as 21 total school days to make up for the budget shortfall. This sheds lights on just how serious the problem has become.
To give an idea of the problem in local dollars, in 2003, Monrovia received 4,732 per student. In 2013, we are slated to receive $5,220 if the tax initiative passes and $4,765 if it fails. If we were actually paid what is due by the State, we would be paid $6,711. What a difference that additional revenue would make (and, don’t forget, the State owes us that money)!
Attendance is Essential
State funding is based directly on student attendance at school. It is not based on the number of students enrolled, but on how many actually come to class each day. Absences are no longer “excused” as they were in the past. If a student is not there, the District simply does not receive money for that student that day.
Thanks to the hard work of students, staff and parents, Monrovia’s attendance rate has not been higher in over 10 years. We are presently at a 95.79% attendance rate. We know this can be improved by working together with families to ensure that appointments, day trips, vacations and fun outside activities are scheduled outside the school day. Ensuring that students attend school whenever possible is one big way we can all make a positive difference in student learning and in Monrovia Unified School District’s revenue.
Two Basic Kinds of Funds
School districts have two basic types of funds. One type is “general”. Fund received for general purposes can be used for most types of expenditures. “Categorical” funds, on the other hand, must be used for very specific purposes. These types of funds include money to fund services for English learners, Special Education students, and more.
“Sweeping Funds”
In recent years, the Governor has allowed previously very strict sources of categorical revenue to be “swept”, or taken by the general fund. For example, Monrovia once had a very large adult school. Adult school funds can now be “swept” for general purposes. Since the K-12 system lacks the basic funds it needs to survive, Monrovia has had to use adult education funds to support K-12 students. The impact of MUSD “sweeping” adult school funds is so significant that now the only classes offered in adult school are either financially self-sustaining or are required in order to make high school schedules and programs complete. Where we once served 7,000 adult school students, we now serve 1,500. Over time, the “sweeping” of funds takes away the impact of special programs, and as in the case of adult school, threatens to take almost the entire program.
Cost of Living Adjustments
The State promises schools they will receive cost of living adjustments annually, however these adjustments are not being paid year after year. If Monrovia was to have been receiving the promised adjustments, and if Monrovia had been paid on time by the State, MUSD would now have almost $2,000 more per student than we now receive. For several reasons, including the slow economy, the State has not been able to keep up with these cost of living payments, and owes the schools a great deal of money. We are presently receiving 80 cents on every one dollar due for the purpose of educating our students.
Tax Initiative
The Governor has put a tax initiative on the ballot. If it passes, education will not get additional money, but MUSD will lose less. If it does not pass, MUSD will lose $455 per student more than we have already lost.
Deferrals
California has begun the practice of paying their bills to districts late. What they owe in December they may choose to pay, for example, in March. In some cases, the payments are so delayed that what is owed in one school year is paid in the next. Meanwhile, school districts still have to pay their teachers and staff, pay for utilities and operational costs. The result is that school districts are forced to borrow at a steadily increasing rate. So if you followed this discussion, the State is forcing school districts to borrow for money that is due, because the State is paying their bills late. This borrowing results in fees to school districts, which could have been avoided if the State had paid on time.
What has already been cut?
There is a very long list of cuts that have been already made, and are impacting students. It would take pages to list them all. Those directly impacting students include:
- Class size increase in K-3 from 20 to 30.
- Elimination of the Monrovia High School Dean position
- Reduction of 5 school days and 1 staff development date
- Elimination of Monrovia High block schedule
- Reallocation of Adult Education funding
- Elimination of elementary and middle school summer school
- We stopped purchasing textbooks 2008-2010
What is Next?
At this time, the District is exploring what options remain for future cuts. We are seeking input from the public in the form of public meetings and welcome your input! Please see our website for a complete list of budget meetings.
Nominations for Businesswoman of the Year
Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, is looking for women who excel in the workplace to be recognized at the 13th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon. "Women in Business celebrates women who have contributed to the greater good of the region by advancing business and creating new jobs and serving the community." Call (626) 577-9944 for a nomination form. Source: Portantino press release
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Over South Pas | $180k for New City Manager | Portantino | Aerovironment | Portantino | Groceries
~ Monrovia High baseball over South Pas. :-) http://goo.gl/s6meu
~ New Monrovia City Manager To Make $185,000. http://goo.gl/wd11D
~ Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents Monrovia, comments on his Facebook page about a bill being voted down that would require more legislative openness: "It seems the Assembly Leadership still doesn't get it." http://goo.gl/inyvB
~ U.S. Air Force Places $2.4 Million Order for some Puma drones from Monrovia-based AeroVironment. http://goo.gl/x5IBw
~ You could win $100 in groceries for your next neighborhood get-together by submitting a story about your neighborhood. Deadline April 25. Details: http://goo.gl/qN10w
Two Bills By Monrovia Assemblyman Voted Down
Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who represents part of Monrovia, proposed a measure that would have allowed deportable Mexican citizens in California jails to be sent to Mexico to serve their terms in private jails if the U.S. Government enters into a treaty with Mexico to allow that. The bill was voted down by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. http://goo.gl/b4dPl
He also proposed a measure that would "have required the California Air Resources Board to issue a warning to businesses that were out of compliance for the first time. This would give the company a specified time to correct the problem and avoid a fine; otherwise the fine would be issued as usual." It was voted down as well. http://goo.gl/UTplj
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Wrestling | Poor Scott Ochoa | Job Seeker Help
~ Dungeon wrestling at the Masonic Lodge on Foothill at Primrose. http://goo.gl/9miyp
~ With Kim Kardashian is thinking of running for the mayor of Glendale (doesn't quite work that way, but whatever - http://goo.gl/CvFPj ), Monrovia School Board Member Alex Zucco remembers that Monrovia has just handed over its former city manager to Glendale. On Facebook she writes: "Poor Scott Ochoa."
~ Looking for a job? From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, you can stop by Monrovia Adult School (920 S. Mountain) to search job listings on the computers, get tips on resume-writing and interviewing techniques, and more goodies. http://goo.gl/RhKca
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia's Representative Wants to Tighten Outside-Income Reporting for Legislators
Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents part of Monrovia, has introduced a bill to require state legislators to more precisely identify outside sources of income when they assume or leave office. The press release:
Each year, politicians and public officials must complete what is known as a Form 700 – Statement of Economic Interest. It gives the public and watchdog groups a way to keep tabs on the outside financial interests of officeholders and other officials to ensure that they avoid conflicts of interest.
“The problem with the current form is that it contains income ranges of such wide dollar amounts that it’s almost impossible for the public to decipher our actual outside incomes,” said Assemblymember Portantino. “That’s why I am proposing we modernize and update the reporting ranges to create a more accurate accounting and subsequent accountability.”
Portantino’s AB 2162, which calls for updating and restructuring dollar ranges, was approved today in Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee. Currently there are only 4 ranges for investments, property and income. This bill would revise the dollar amounts associated with these ranges to 8 levels for investments and real estate and 10 levels for income ranges.
“These forms haven’t been updated in more than 35 years and are way out-of-date. It’s time to make sure the public, good government advocates and the media know where there are potential conflicts,” commented Portantino.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 requires persons holding specified public offices to file disclosures of investments, real property interests, and income within specified periods of assuming or leaving office, and annually while holding the office. The act requires the disclosures to include a statement indicating, within a specified value range, the fair market value of investments or interests in real property and the aggregate value of income received from a source.
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia High Students Win Entrepreneurship Award | Bradoaks Auction | Parrot Utility Box
~ Mr. Sorgent's Small Business Management class and the Entrepreneurship Team's venture, Valuepon, won the gold medal in the SkillsUSA State Business Plan and Presentation Entrepreneurship Competition held in San Diego. Winning gold medalists included Amanda Mansoorbakht, Bryan Bravo, Breana Salgado, and Timothy Ramirez. They will compete in late June at the SkillsUSA National Competition in Kansas City, Missouri for the U.S. title as one of the best Entrepreneurship teams in the nation. http://goo.gl/AELek
~ Bradoaks School Wild West auction. http://goo.gl/hEoyW
~ A new prettied up utility box. It's got a parrot. http://goo.gl/yOhzz
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Assemblyman Would Require Legislators to Pay for Vanity Plates
A bill by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino - who represents part of Monrovia - requiring legislators who have legislative vanity plates on their personal cars to pay the same fees paid by the general public for personalized plates, has passed its first legislative hurdle. AB 2068 was unanimously approved by the Assembly Transportation Committee this afternoon.
Portantino said: "License plate fees are used to partially fund the California Highway Patrol. So, when legislators don't pay the full fee, they are in effect, stiffing the CHP."
Source: Portantino press release
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia Police: Lots of Graffiti, Fighting (with Bats?), 17 Pairs of Pants, Shoplifting, Drugs, Etc.
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for April 5-8. - Brad Haugaard]
Following are the weekend's highlighted issues and events.
Vandalism
April 12 at 8:50 a.m., a caller reported an incident of vandalism in the 1800 block of South California. The suspect(s) used a marker to write on a potted plant in front of a business building and on the windshield of two company trucks. The investigation is continuing.
Vandalism
April 12 at 9:36 a.m., an incident of vandalism was reported in the 1800 block of South California. Suspect(s) used a marker to write on some decorative glass next to the front door of a business. The investigation is continuing.
Possession of a Controlled Substance / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales - Two Suspects Arrested
April 12 at 9:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to a hotel in the 700 block of West Huntington regarding a gun found in a room. The housekeepers found a loaded gun on the bed in one of the rooms and notified management, who then notified police. Officers responded and were in the room when the two occupants returned. Officers received consent to search the room. Bindles of heroin, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and money were located in the room. Both occupants were arrested and both admitted the drugs belonged to them.
Vandalism
April 12 at 9:46 a.m., graffiti was reported in the 300 block of Wildrose. The suspect(s) used white spray paint to write on the south wall of a garage. Investigation continuing.
Vandalism
April 12 at 11:44 a.m., an officer responded to the report of vandalism in the 300 block of East Lime. Suspect(s) used white spray paint to write graffiti on playground equipment in a park. Investigation continuing.
Vehicle Burglary
April 12 at 2:58 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a vehicle burglary which occurred in the 500 block of Parkrose. The victim parked her vehicle and went into the elementary school to pick up her child. She was gone approximately 10 minutes. When she returned to her vehicle, she found a window was smashed and her purse, which was on the front seat under a blanket, was taken from the vehicle. Investigation continuing.
Fight in Progress
April 12 at 4:53 p.m., officers responded to the report of approximately 10 subjects fighting at a park in the area of Shamrock and Colorado. The caller reported some of the subjects were holding bats, and that a tan or brown pickup truck had fled the scene. Officers arrived in the area, but did not see a fight. They detained several subjects in the park. They were identified and released.
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 12 at 7:52 p.m., an officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of West Foothill regarding a male subject in custody for shoplifting. The subject had entered the store, selected several items which he concealed on his person, and exited without paying. He was arrested and booked for the charges.
Vandalism
April 13 at 4:36 p.m., graffiti was reported on the northeast curb in the area of Cypress and Sherman. The suspect(s) had written on the curb.
Commercial Burglary - Suspect Arrested
April 13 at 6:51 p.m., a business in the 300 block of West Huntington reported a subject who had shoplifted went into a location at Magnolia and Chestnut. The Special Enforcement Team and patrol officers responded, located the suspect and detained him. He was positively identified as the suspect. He had no money on his person to pay for the items taken. The suspect was arrested for burglary and taken into custody.
Vandalism - Suspect Arrested
April 14 at 3:39 p.m., police responded to the report of three male subjects acting suspiciously in an alley in the 200 block of South Heliotrope. One subject appeared to be acting as a lookout. Officers arrived and found fresh graffiti in the 600 block of Wildrose. A detective, who was in the area of Wildrose and California, observed three subjects matching the suspects' description and detained them.
One of the subjects detained had a used can of white spray paint in his waistband and fresh paint on his shorts. The paint matched the fresh paint on the structure in the 600 block of Wildrose. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody. He was later determined to be on probation for a prior graffiti vandalism case. The suspect is a juvenile and was later released on citation to his mother.
The reporting party was advised of the Monrovia Police Department's Graffiti Bounty Program and will be receiving $100 for reporting this incident of graffiti, which led to the arrest of the suspect.
Fraud / Parolee at Large - Suspects Arrested
April 16 at 1:30 a.m., an officer was dispatched to a hotel in the 900 block of West Huntington. Hotel management was having a dispute with two of their guests about a declined credit card number. Upon further investigation, the officer discovered the male guest was a parolee at large. His female companion was found to be in possession of a vehicle filled with fraudulent federal, state, and miscellaneous documents. Both subjects were arrested for the appropriate charges.
Special Enforcement Team Weekly Activity
On April 11, Special Enforcement Team officers stopped a suspicious vehicle leaving a business in the 1600 block of South Mountain for vehicle code violations. The rear passenger ducked down and hid as the officers attempted to stop the vehicle. The right rear passenger was found to have a glass cocaine smoking pipe in his possession. He was arrested for the drug paraphernalia and four outstanding warrants for his arrest. Seventeen pairs of Dockers pants were recovered from the vehicle, which appeared brand new with labels attached. The driver and passengers did not claim the pants. They were taken for observation, pending further investigation.
210 Closure Tonight
The 210 eastbound will be closed tonight, April 16, for building the bridge mold, into which the concrete will be poured, between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Brad Haugaard
- Brad Haugaard
From Memphis to Monrovia | Early Monrovia News Clips
~ Video: A Tennessee church, Engage Memphis, helped with the funding to plant the new Fellowship Monrovia church that meets at the Community Center. http://goo.gl/Im1mw
~ Snippets from early-days Monrovia newspapers. http://goo.gl/OBaZS
- Brad Haugaard
~ Snippets from early-days Monrovia newspapers. http://goo.gl/OBaZS
- Brad Haugaard
Video of Food Truck Association Lawsuit Vs. Monrovia
Video about the lawsuit by the Southern California Mobile Food Vendor's Association against Monrovia. http://goo.gl/jO3zu
- Brad Haugaard
Free Gardening Workshop for Monrovia | World Vision
~ Free Smart Gardening Workshop at Recreation Park, next to the entrance of the Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, April 21, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Info about composting, grass recycling, water and fire-wise gardening, fruit harvesting and native plant selection. Monrovians will be able to buy discount compost bins. Plus, free mulch while it lasts. Bring a shovel, gloves, and containers for mulch. Call Environmental Services at 932-5553 for further details. http://goo.gl/YTq4x
~ Monrovia relief agency, World Vision, reports that "nsufficient rains in Somalia threaten to reverse gains made since last year’s famine." http://goo.gl/R16lu
- Brad Haugaard
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