The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees tackled a lengthy agenda of topics at last night’s regular meeting, including continued discussions on a proposed project to install internet towers at all district school sites. After some discussion, the board voted unanimously to begin the $1.3 million project by announcing a call for bids from area LTE providers to partner with the school district. Reporter Andrew Dieleman has more from the meeting…
The MUSD Board of Trustees also held a discussion and public hearing on the current draft of the District’s 2020-2021 Learning Continuity Plan, presented by Assistant Superintendent Amy Woods, which outlines the district’s detailed plan for moving forward with education models, meal programs, student learning loss, student mental health, and much more during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board unanimously approved the document, which will now go back to the county for additional review.
Superintendent Tom Baumgarten then presented the District’s Unaudited Actuals, a comparison of the district budget vs actual expenditures for the 2019-2020 school year. Baumgarten reported overall positive figures, but warned that the current school year is being supported by additional state funding and that future changes or budget cuts may be needed to balance the budget for the 2021-2022 school year based on possible changes in state funding.
The board also continued reviewing student achievement plans from the principals of Condor Elementary School, Yucca Valley Elementary School, and Twentynine Palms High School, as well as ACCE Academy and the PLUS Program. The plans for all sites have also been modified from previous years to use the district’s new distance learning and independent study programs to help students reach education goals for subjects including English language arts, mathematics, health and wellness, professional development, and attendance goals.
In open session, the board approved the purchase of a new $40,000 public address system for Condor Elementary School, with the amendment that the District will seek bids for installation of the new system. The board also approved the memorandum of understanding with the California School Employees Association, recognized eight teachers from Joshua Tree Elementary School for being selected to receive a total of $2,000 in gift cards from the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association to put towards classroom expenses, and applauded all district food service workers for successfully surpassing one million free meals distributed to students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lastly, the board answered questions from Morongo Teachers Association President Kojo McCallum on current challenges facing teachers through the distance learning program, including reported difficulties taking student attendance on Canvas, teacher training, the completion of attendance logs, and the need for teachers to physically visit school sites to provide live signatures on certain documents.
