Monrovia Unified School District board members on Sept. 24, 2025 directed staff to investigate using Fund 40 as seed money to repair the high school pool so students can resume on-site aquatic activities and ratified a facility lease with Citrus College that covers use of facilities for the high school water polo team.

The move follows multiple public commenters who urged a faster timetable for an updated aquatic center. Board President Rob Hammond told attendees the board has focused on moving the project forward and asked staff to identify at least the minimum funding needed to bring the pool up to code for student use while longer-term renovation options are pursued.

Why it matters: families and coaches told the board that students are being bused out of the district for swim practice and competitions, adding transportation time and cost. During the Sept. 24 meeting speakers said the district currently pays for outside pool access; one speaker estimated those costs at about $20,000. Board members and staff said repairing the existing pool would allow students to return to the Monrovia campus sooner than a full replacement.

Public comment and board response were central to the discussion. The meeting hosts recorded six speakers focused on the aquatic center; several criticized past delays and asked for decisive action. Hammond responded that under his leadership the board has not obstructed the project and that the board is attempting to identify interim funding and repairs.

The board also ratified a facility lease agreement between the district and Citrus College to allow continued water polo use. The minutes and meeting summary indicate the lease ratification passed; a formal roll-call tally was not stated on the record.

Board members and staff noted several constraints. Presenters told the board they received contractor quotes in the range of roughly $10 million to $20 million for a full new aquatic facility, an amount the district does not currently have. Board members also referenced a workforce reduction of 45 district positions last year and said enrollment and staffing levels are additional budgetary constraints.

The board asked staff to return with specific repair estimates and funding sources. The Sept. 24 presentation (about 48 minutes into the meeting) included an aquatics concept study the board did not fully discuss during the public recap; staff directed members and the public to that segment for technical details.