Monrovia Unified School District
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
May 2023
Recognitions
At its May meetings, the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education invited students from the first graduating Dual Immersion Spanish Cohort and the Monrovia High School Valedictorians to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The dual immersion students are the first cohort to go through the entire program from TK-12th grade since it started at Monroe in 2010. The Board also honored the MHS valedictorians for having the highest academic achievements of the class of 2023. Both groups of students did a fantastic job starting our Board meeting.
The Board of Education invited the winners of the Monrovia Elementary Olympics after the event was brought back for the first time since 2019. Plymouth Elementary was recognized for winning the spirit stick, which goes to the site with the most school spirit on and off the field. Mayflower Elementary was highlighted for winning the most overall points from our students' competitions.
Board members honored those Monrovia Unified School District employees who have retired or will be retiring this school year between July 1, 2022, and Jun 30, 2023. Their dedication and impact on students' lives are truly remarkable. Congratulations and best wishes to the following employees for a well-deserved retirement!
- Emily Bradley, Food Service Worker - 32 years
- Mauro Dela Torre, Head Custodian III - 28 years
- Noelia Delgado, Bus Driver - 14 years
- Laura Fata, Instructional Aide-Special Education - 24 years
- Alyson Fishkind, Instructional Aide-Special Education - 23 years
- Nancy French, Personnel Analyst - 33 years
- Steve Garrison, Teacher - 38 Years
- David Hart, Teacher - 34 Years
- Nancy Kemp, Instructional Assistant - 35 years
- Claude Mallory, Head Custodian I - 39 years
- Tina McKendrick, Library Media Specialist III - 35 years
- Eric Miller, Teacher - 38 Years
- Sandra Roanhorse-Sharafat, After School Site Manager - 23 years
- Mary Saxon, Instructional Aide-Special Education - 23 years
- Charlie Segovia, Skilled Maintenance Painter - 35 years
- Judith Townsend, After School Site Manager - 17 years
- Mark Tremper, Teacher - 7 Years
- Doris Wang, Senior Account Clerk - 20 years
- Sheila Weaver, M.O.T. Assistant - 32 years
The Board of Education recognized our student board members Emma Nahapetian of Monrovia High School and Sarah Tripp of Mountain Park School. Each of these students did a fantastic job representing their student bodies while updating the Board and community on what was going on at their sites. We will miss having Emma and Sarah at our board meetings, but we are excited about their futures!
Actions Taken by the Board of Education
The Board of Education approved the renewal of a Service Agreement with Care Solace, Inc., for a district license to access an online platform at caresolace.com. Care Solace offers 24/7 mental health care coordination services for Monrovia Unified School District students, staff, and their families.
The Board approved a renewal contract with West Coast Protection LLC, dba Interquest Detection Canines, to provide random unannounced visits to Clifton Middle School, Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School, and Monrovia High School. These groups will use nonaggressive, specialty-trained canines for contraband detection and campus safety for the 2023-24 school year.
Board members approved purchasing Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) training for site team leaders and administrators through the Los Angeles County Office of Education. PBIS is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health.
The Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Santa Anita Family YMCA and Monrovia Unified School District for using the Monrovia High School swimming pool from June 12, 2023, through August 30, 2023.
Board members approved the acceptance of bid results and award of contract to Best Contracting Services Inc. to repair and restore existing roofs at Clifton Middle School and Wild Rose Elementary School sites.
The Board of Education adopted Resolution 2223-27, declaring May 21-27, 2023, as "Classified School Employee Week," and urges all citizens to participate in observances that express their appreciation for classified employees.
The Board adopted Resolution No. 2223-21, correcting the recognition dates to align with the State and Nation and declaring May 9, 2023, as "National Day of the Teacher" and May 8-12, 2023, as "National Teacher Appreciation Week" and urges all citizens to participate in observances that express their appreciation for teachers.
Board members approved the calendar for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Board of Education approved the graduating classes of 2023 for the following schools:
Staff Presentations to the Board of Education
Dual Language Immersion Programs - Dr. Greg Francois, Deputy Superintendent, and Dr. Greg Gero, Director of Elementary Educational Services
The Board of Education received an update regarding the current state of our Dual Immersion Spanish and Mandarin programs at MUSD. The presentation includes information on enrollment data, goals, challenges, and next steps.
Strategic Plan and Innovative School Design Update - Dr. Greg Francois, Deputy Superintendent, and Becky Perez, Principal, Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet
Board Members received an update regarding the Strategic Plan and Innovative School Design. The strategic planning guiding coalition helped define the district’s learner profile, learning models, and next steps to implement MUSD’s strategic plan.
21st Century Classrooms Update - Dr. Greg Francois, Deputy Superintendent, and Arin Golestani, Director of Information Technology
The Board of Education received a presentation regarding the pilot classrooms for the 21st Century Classrooms. The presentation includes teacher/student feedback, lessons learned, ways to support our teachers, and the following steps to improve classrooms around MUSD.