Layoffs at Monrovia Schools, Compensation for Teachers, Rules for Students, The Budget

At its Wednesday, June 26 meeting (agenda: http://goo.gl/INH9U ), the Monrovia School Board will consider, among other things ...

~ Laying off 10 part time classified employees (equivalent to 6.66 full timers) for lack of work ( http://goo.gl/Mzgll ), and hiring one new full time person in food services ( http://goo.gl/sRvYh ).

~ A compensation package for Monrovia teachers. Basically, it appears the teachers will get a boost in their health/welfare plan, but nothing else. For 13-14, 4.67%, for 14-15, 4.46%, for 15-16, 4.27%. http://goo.gl/q8NQo

~ A board policy for student conduct. A couple interesting items: no laser pointers except for instructional purposes, and no using electronics in class. http://goo.gl/yyao9

~ A board policy on nondiscrimination and harassment ( http://goo.gl/eo3QT ). Comment: I've always been wary of these things going overboard and essentially outlawing free speech and criminalizing disagreement, but this policy seems to limit violations to "severe" problems. Still, I would like to see a line that says something like, "Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to prohibit non-threatening discussion or disagreement."

~ The 2013-14 budget. http://goo.gl/mfeVS

- Brad Haugaard