During a recent Monrovia school board meeting, significant discussions centered around proposed salary increases for teachers and classified staff, with a focus on the financial implications for the district's budget. Superintendent Smith outlined the details of the bargaining unit agreements with the Monrovia Teachers Association and the Classified School Employees Association, emphasizing the necessity of public disclosure regarding the costs associated with these raises.

The proposed salary adjustments include a 6.5% ongoing raise and a one-time 3% raise, amounting to a total cost of approximately $4.9 million for the current year. Of this, about $3.9 million will impact the district's unrestricted general fund budget. The ongoing annual cost for the 6.5% raise is projected to be around $3.4 million, with an additional $2.7 million affecting the unrestricted general fund.

Superintendent Smith reassured the board and community that the district can accommodate these raises within its budget, citing a review by the Los Angeles County Office of Education, which has approved the financial figures presented. The next budget update, scheduled for March, will incorporate these costs.

A point of clarification was made regarding the use of bond money, confirming that funds from recent bond measures cannot be allocated for salaries or benefits, ensuring that the financial support for the raises is entirely separate from any facilities funding.

Board members expressed appreciation for the timely agreement reached between the district and the teachers' association, noting that such negotiations typically extend into the summer months. The collaborative effort was acknowledged as a positive step forward for the Monrovia community.