Monrovia Unified School District
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
October, 2021
Recognitions
The Monrovia Unified Board of Education invited students from Clifton Middle School and Monroe Elementary school to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at its October 13, 2021 and October 27, 2021 meetings respectively. Yasmin Siam/Stefin Bank from Clifton and Kennedy Valdez/Isabella Villegas from Monroe did a great job starting off each of our Board meetings.
Clifton Middle School’s new principal Scott Moses was formally introduced to the Board of Education and the community at its October 13 meeting. He joins our district from Duarte Unified and brings over 20 years of experience in education to the district. In his remarks, Principal Moses said he is honored to join Monrovia Unified and is looking forward to leading Clifton to greater heights.
The employees of the month for October were also recognized at the Board of Education’s October 13 meeting (pictured above). Canyon Oaks HS teacher Higinio Lujan (back middle), Monrovia Adult School Clerical Assistant Eric Pruitt (middle right) and Adult Ed Teacher Richard Thibault (unable to attend) were all congratulated for everything they do to support our independent study program during one of their busiest years in recent history.
Resolutions
The Monrovia Unified Board of Education passed a resolution to recognize the month of October as ‘Filipino American History Month’. Filipino American History Month honors the history of Filipino American solidarity in their fight for equity and justice. The Board of Education recognizes the achievements and contributions of Filipino Americans in Monrovia Unified School District and throughout the United States of America.
The Board also passed a resolution in support of Red Ribbon Week, “Drug Free Looks Like Me!”, for the week of October 23-31. Monrovia Unified recognizes the seriousness of the use of drugs and alcohol by school-age children. The effects of drug and alcohol are devastating to young people’s lives and their future, to their families, to society, and to the educational environment.
Actions Taken by the Board of Education
- The MUSD Board of Education approved agreements between MUSD and Amigo de los Rios, a non-profit organization that will be working on projects at a couple of our school sites. One is a natural infrastructure project to help with flooding at Plymouth Elementary The other is to improve watershed on the front lawn of Monrovia High School and add additional trees to the site.
- The Board approved a new agreement with COVID Clinic Inc. to perform COVID-19 weekly testing and host vaccine clinics as needed. The district will be making a seamless transition away from it’s previous provider with LFN Corporate Wellness.
- MUSD Board members also approved an increase for substitute teachers pay for the district. This is a $50/per day increase for all substitute teachers within the Monrovia Unified School District. The pay increase is now in effect and will continue until the end of the 2021-2022 school year. The new rates are as follows:
- $190: Substitute teaching daily rate
- $205: 60+ cumulative days daily rate
- $220: Long-term daily rate
- The district’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III plan was approved by the Board on October 27. The plan explains how Monrovia Unified intends to use its $7.8 million in federal ESSER III funds to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs as well as needs related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
Staff Presentations to the Board of Education
- Monrovia Adult School Principal Flint Fertig presented his school's update on their return to school for the 2021-2022 school year. He outlined what the school’s enrollment looks like, what programs are available in-person vs. online and how the school has managed to keep a balanced budget during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- MUSD Business Services staff presented their Census Day Enrollment and Unduplicated Student Count Report. The report breaks down the latest trends with enrollment. It shows where the district’s current enrollment stands and the financial impact it can possibly have in the coming years.