PUSD considers major cuts: Laying off 82 teachers, reduction to athletic programs also being considered

Some of the proposals include eliminating summer school, laying off 82 teachers and closing libraries. Reduction to athletic programs also being considered. The final budget is scheduled to be approved in June. School officials said they are dreading the decision. “I knew we were going to be in a position to act on these recommendations even though we know it’s not in the best interest of the students,” Superintendent Edwin Diaz said. The district is considering asking voters to approve a parcel tax to cover some of the deficit. The school board will likely take up the matter at a meeting scheduled for January. How will this affect sports programs in the PUSD? What will be the long-term consequences, if any?

Here’s some reaction to the news about major cuts:

It’s amazing that libraries are high on the list of cuts to be made, yet there is only a mention that athletic programs could be affacted. I’m all for both programs, but libraries are a key component of academic success. So why does the school board seem to favor this over athletics? I’m in favor of a parcel tax. Let’s keet the momentum for PUSD improvements going.
— Concerned Parent

No Parcel Tax.. no way.

First, a third of all children in Pasadena already attend private. Why? Because the schools stink. So, spend more money to save something that stinks?

I think public education is very important, and if Pasadena had a good system (like S.Pas or San Marino), I would be willing to support a parcel tax to save it.. even if my kids were in private.

However, in Pasadena, a parcel tax is just throwing good money after bad. I mean, John Muir already has proficiency scores on the STAR tests down in single digits. Appalling!

I went to a public school that had 30+ kids per teacher. It worked just fine. You know why? The kids were well behaved, and we listened. Why? Because the school demanded it, and our parents demanded it.

True Freedom

By Caroline An, Staff Writer

PASADENA – Pasadena Unified students could face a future with no school libraries, no summer school and at least 82 less teachers, according to a preliminary budget plan approved by the school board late Tuesday.

The Pasadena Unified School District faces an $18.8 million shortfall in the 2010-11 school year, and $1.2 million in cuts the next year, according to district figures. The district’s budget is about $200 million.

Eliminating summer school would save PUSD about $460,000 and closing libraries would save about $1.4 million, officials said. Teacher layoffs would save $3.5 million. Office staff reductions would save $2.175 million. Other smaller cuts also were proposed.

The proposed reductions would cover the entire deficit for the next two years, but state budget problems could force deeper cuts.

The final budget is scheduled to be approved in June.

School officials said they are dreading the decision.

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Robledo’s girls soccer top ten, tell me if I’m close

I’m surprising Miguel by jumping in here, but its a slow day and I remember how good the girls soccer teams were in this area. Just for fun, this is what my top ten in the Star-News area would look like. Tell me how close I am.

Robledo’s Top Ten
1. La Salle (4-0-1) — Are you kidding me, they beat Arcadia and tied Marymount, ’nuff said.
2. Flintridge Sacred Heart (2-0) — Wins over Flintridge Prep and Campbell Hall, and we all know they have talent.
3. Arcadia (1-2) — Don’t look at the overall record, their 4-2 win over South Hills was good, and they lost to La Salle and a darn good Hart team.
4. Flintridge Prep (3-1) — Considering their only loss was a 2-1 decision to FSHA, not bad.
5. Maranatha (2-0) — Don’t know enough, but they beat Mayfield and Monrovia … Geez, everyone is beating Rio Hondo League teams these days.
6. Mayfield (4-1) — You have to love the wins over San Marino and Temple City
7. Ramona Convent (2-0-2) – Wins over Alverno, Monrovia and ties against Westridge and South Pas.
8. Pasadena Poly (NA) — I heard they’re pretty good, but they only reported one score. C’mon Poly, post those results.
9. Alverno (2-2) – The defending champions took a big step back, but they’re still top ten material.
10. Westridge (2-1-1) – I still think Jason Windass is one of the area’s best coaches, but the Tigers aren’t what they use to be.

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Boys Basketball: Muir beats powerhouse Dominguez

Muir first-year coach Gamal Smalley put together a nice season preview of the Mustangs basketball program this season.

Muir is young this year. The Mustangs start one senior, one junior, two sophomores and a freshman. But they were more than enough to help Muir (4-4) snap its four-game losing streak with a 61-58 win over Compton Dominguez in the Upland Tournament on Tuesday night. Dominguez is a 10-time CIF champion and 5-time CIF State champion. Junior forward Deshawn Hayes led the way with 28 points. “Our goal is to get better game by game and to get ready for league play,” Smalley said.

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Boys Hoops: La Caada, Alhambra host tourneys

Aside from calling in scores at 626.962.8811 Ext. 2233 or 2242 between 5-10 p.m., tournament directors are strongly encouraged to e-mail each day’s results so I can post them on the blog and keep everyone abreast about your tournament. You can also e-mail tournament schedules just like La Caada coach Tom Hoffman did, that way we post them here, too

La Caada Holiday Classic at La Caada High.

Pool A: La Caada, Lincoln, Saugus, Village Christian
Pool B: Glendale, Maranatha, Schurr, St. Francis

Today’s Games: Schurr vs. Glendale, 4 p.m.; Saugus vs. Village Christian, 5:30 p.m.; La Caada vs. Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Alhambra Invitational at Alhambra High

Pool A: Alhambra, Franklin, Northview, Santa Fe
Pool B: Warren, Gabrielino, Bonita, San Gabriel

Today’s games: Northview vs. Santa Fe, 3:30 p.m.; Alhambra vs. Franklin, 5 p.m.; Warren vs. Gabrielino, 6:30 p.m.

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How long until La Salle’s Nolan is on SportsCenter?

With football done and over what better way to start our basketball coverage with the video above. That’s La Salle 6-foot-6 senior Matt Nolan, who laid a monstrous two-hand dunk Saturday night in the Pasadena Poly Tournament, which the Lancers won after the game was called with 2:25 left and La Salle leading, 57-44. “I’ve never seen that before,” said La Salle’s longtime boys basketball coach Steve Goldstein.

Speaking of holiday tournaments, most start this week beginning Tuesday with the La Caada Holiday Classic at La Caada High.

Pool A: La Caada, Lincoln, Saugus, Village Christian
Pool B: Glendale, Maranatha, Schurr, St. Francis

Tuesday’s Games: Schurr vs. Glendale, 4 p.m.; Saugus vs. Village Christian, 5:30 p.m.; La Caada vs. Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s game: St. Francis vs. Maranatha, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday’s games: St. Francis vs. Schurr, 3:30 p.m.; Glendale vs. Maranatha, 5 p.m.; Lincoln vs. Saugus, 6:30 p.m.; La Caada vs. Village Christian, 8 p.m.

Friday’s games: Village Christian vs. Lincoln, 3:30 p.m.; Glendale vs. St. Francis, 5 p.m.; Maranatha vs. Schurr, 6:30 p.m.; La Caada vs. Saugus, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule begins with the fourth-place game at 3:30 p.m. and concludes with the championship at 8 p.m. Aside from calling in scores at 626.962.8811 Ext. 2233 or 2242 between 5-10 p.m., tournament directors are strongly encouraged to e-mail each day’s results so I can post them on the blog and keep everyone abreast about your tournament. You can also e-mail tournament schedules just like La Caada coach Tom Hoffman did, that way we post them here, too.

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