MPUSD has such bad reputation

and Howard Fosler of the New Monterey Neighborhood Association found out last night is undeserved.

Fosler was one of a handful of community members who attended Tuesday night's forum with MPUSD administrators and officials at Monterey High. Led by Superintendent Marilyn Shepherd, the team showed participants -- mostly teachers and administrators -- what the district has been able to accomplish in the last few years.

You wouldn't know it by the disgruntled citizens out there, but despite massive budget cuts, the district is still trying to offer a variety of classes to students, test scores are going up, and thanks to the bond approved last year, all the campuses are getting renovated.

Fosler described MPUSD's work as "remarkable."

"They've been doing a remarkable job under the worst of circumstances," he told me after the meeting was over. After he asked if district officials new what the budget will be in the upcoming year.

No, Shepherd said, because we don't know how the state will be doing -- although there's a strong possibility there will be mid-year budget cuts. The district is prepared for that, she said.

Still, the district got sterling credit rating, which means they can get the best rates for their bonds and save money to the taxpayers.

"I see a lot of hard working people under the most difficult circumstances," Fosler said. "I'm glad I came."

Now, if only more people had seen the presentation.

But it's not too late.

There will be another forum tonight at the Embassy Suites in Seaside, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Check it out, ask questions, see for yourself what the district's doing. Don't take anyone's word for it.