The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees discussed the district’s budget for the 2020-2021 school year at last night’s meeting. According to the report, the State of California is experiencing a $54 billion economic shortfall directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistant Superintendent Sharon Flores stated that the school district has already taken numerous-cost-saving measures to compensate for the impact of that deficit, including reduction in staffing and postponing deferred maintenance. Flores stated that additional cost-saving steps may also need to be taken based on how long it takes the state to recover. After tense discussion, the board voted to take no action regarding the presentation and requested additional breakdowns of cost-saving measures to be presented at the next board meeting. Reporter Andrew Dieleman has the details on the rest of the meeting…
At last night’s meeting, the MUSD Board of Trustees voted 4-1 (President Hillary Slotta voting no) to name Coach TJ Stanford as the new head football coach for Twentynine Palms High School. Trustee Karalee Hargrove emphasized Stanford’s enthusiasm and commitment to student athletes. The board also held a public hearing to review the district’s special education program for the 2020-2021 school year, renewed multiple district meal program contracts, and announced the completion of the district’s structured cabling system project and facilities updates related to the Yucca Valley sewer project.
