Cuts Could Reduce School Year by 21 Days

Monrovia teachers and students already have five fewer days of instruction to work with this year, and if the district's budget woes continue, schools could be closed for 16 more days next year.

Monrovia Unified School District School Board President Bryan Wong said Tuesday during his "State of the Schools" speech at that instruction could be cut by a total of 21 days under a worst-case scenario that the district is facing.

"There is a possibility, if this budget does not get passed in a positive form, that number may go up to as high as 21 days," Wong said of the potential school day reductions. "That's 21 days of additional school days that our children do not have to learn."

Staring at a projected $14 million budget deficit in the next three years because of slashed state funding, the district has . School Board Member Ed Gililland said the district is "facing the worst financial situation I could ever imagine" in February.

"There's never been a more important time to get involved," Wong said to a sparse crowd.

The remainder of Wong's speech focused on the achievements of the district despite ever-dwindling state funding. He highlighted the , the at , the success of the district's , and the district's steady growth in since 2003.

From the Monrovia Unified School District via the Monrovia Chamber of Commerce:

As we face some of the most challenging times in our District's fiscal history, we will be conducting a series of budget meetings. These meetings are designed to educate all constituents about the constraints we face at the present time, examine the cuts that have been made thus far, and consider reductions that may need to be made ...in the future. We are seeking your input as we create the budget for the coming months and years. The meetings are scheduled for the following dates and times.

• Wednesday, April 11, at 5 p.m., 402 West Colorado Blvd., Monrovia
• Monday, April 16, at Noon, , 325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia
• Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m., , 148 West Duarte Road, Monrovia

Correction: Bryan Wong's title was misidentified in a previous version of this story. We regret the error.