On Thursdays at 6 p.m., Jan. 22, 29 and Feb. 5 Mountain residents, realtors, business minds, students, teachers and parents are all invited to bring new ideas to the budget workshops for ETUSD

By Patric Hedlund

You recall the evil villain tying the damsel-in-distress to the railroad tracks—or dangling her over a cliff—just as the good guy bounds onscreen? But (oh my!)…is it too late?
That time-proven silent movie plot point is where last week’s workshop on balancing the ETUSD budget left off.

The next open community brainstorm for balancing El Tejon Unified School District’s 2015-2016 budget is January 22, 6-8 p.m.

More community involvement will be welcomed, said Superintendent Rod Wallace and ETUSD Board Chair Vickie Mullen.

The first meeting

On Jan. 15, the district’s three principals, union leaders for both teachers and support staff, a union negotiator, about five teachers, The Mountain Enterprise, a handful of community residents and a few students joined in…(please see this week’s issue of The Mountain Enterprise on newsstands now  to view full stories and photographs, or click below)

Photo captions:

Right: The faces of former trustee Anita Anderson (right), parent Anne Duhm and FMHS student Katie Duhm showed shock when Supt. Rod Wallace illustrated that the usual way to reach a school budget goal is to slash teaching positions. He showed the numbers. Below: “Laying off
10 teachers will get us to the $800,000 goal…But is there another way?” Wallace asked. State law makes this a hard question to answer before the February deadline.

Anne Duhm reports on the need to explore grant opportunities to enhance programs at Frazier Mountain High School. FMHS student Katie Duhm, 16 listens closely.

Above left: Superintendent Rod Wallace tells the workshop the targets for cuts that the district must meet to balance the budget. Above, right: ETUSD Board Chair Vickie Mullen said she does not want to send out any layoff notices, and wants to see real plans to avoid that.

To see full stories with photos, please purchase a copy of the newspaper at one of the locations listed below.

Or, have your newspaper delivered via mail and include internet access! Just call 661-245-3794.

The e-Edition is available now with full photos and stories at The Mountain Enterprise e-Edition

(subscriber login required)

Pick up your copy of The Mountain Enterprise at these locations:

Frazier Park
Frazier Park Market
Frazier Park Post Office
Don’s Liquor Market
Caveman Cavey’s Pizza
Frazier Park Pharmacy
Alpine Lumber & Hardware
La Sierra Mexican Restaurant
Factory Direct Appliances
Ace Hardware / Frazier Park Lumber
Falcon’s Nest Restaurant
Big John’s Restaurant
Tecuya Feed
Coffee Cantina

Lebec
Sam’s Liquor Market
Flying J Denny’s entrance
Shell Gas Station
Chevron Gas Station
Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant
Clinica Sierra Vista
Lebec Post Office
Ridge Route Antiques

Lake of the Woods
Midway Market
Mountain View Market
Mike’s Pizza Co.

Pinon Pines
At the mailboxes

Pine Mountain Community
Pine Mountain Post Office
Pine Mountain General Store
Bear Claw Bakery
Mommy’s Roadhouse Restaurant
Pine Mountain Pizza Co.
Cafe Silva Bella
Pine Mountain Clubhouse (Bistro entrance)

Gorman
Carl’s Jr.
Gorman Plaza Market

West Antelope Valley
Antelope Acres Market
Wee Ville Market
Fairmont Market

This is part of the January 23, 2015 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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