The Morongo Unified School District Board of Education began its May 19 meeting with presentations and recognitions. Then it turned to regular business. Reporter Dan Stork broke his report into two parts. In this story, the progress of labor negotiations, teacher transfers, an eliminated position, and a disputed board policy…
During regular reports, Morongo Teachers Association representative Terry Weitz kept the pressure on the Board and staff to come up with a more generous contract, citing the billions of extra dollars likely coming to districts state-wide from Sacramento this year. Classified rep Jim Goldsborough was hopeful and positive about the tentative agreement hammered out by his union with the District. Marine Liaison Tom Cruz distributed tips on school transitions for military families, who are faced with frequent reassignments.
The Board heard teacher and parent comments on a variety of issues. Friendly Hills teacher Pamela Coleman protested her “forced re-alignment” transfer to another school. Twentynine Palms Junior High School teacher Doug Walters begged for assignment of an assistant principal to his school. A noon supervisor at Twentynine Palms Elementary had the same request for her site. Parent Candy Hart had aired a list of concerns, including class size, playground safety, budget clarity, and arts and music funding.
On the action agenda, the board voted 3-2 to eliminate an instructional aide position, Karalee Hargrove and Ron Palmer dissenting. A 4-1 vote approved a revised Advanced Placement policy, with Chris Proudfoot dissenting, saying the cost to families might deter students from taking AP tests. The board unanimously supported the ballot measure that would approve the Medical Center affiliation with Tenet Health Care.
