Monrovia school board weighs pool repairs, explores using Fund 40 as seed money for aquatics project

The Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education discussed next steps for an aquatics program on Sept. 24, 2025, after multiple public speakers urged quicker action to restore pool service and restart student programs. Board President Rob Hammond asked staff to investigate using Fund 40 as seed money to make repairs that would allow students to use the district pool while longer-term work is planned.

Why it matters: Families and coaches told the board that bussing students to outside pools and renting facilities is costly and disruptive to students’ schedules. Speakers said the district has received concept estimates in the range of about $10 million to $20 million for a full replacement — figures described in public comments as approximate and not presented as a formal district cost estimate.

What the board heard and decided: Public comment on Sept. 24 focused heavily on the aquatics project; speakers urged either a full renovation or at least repairs so students can return to the pool. Board President Rob Hammond responded that the board is trying to move the project forward and requested staff review Fund 40 as seed money for immediate repairs. The board also received an aquatics concept study and ratified a facility lease agreement with Citrus College to accommodate the high school water polo team while district facilities are unavailable.

Details and limits: The board did not adopt a funded renovation plan at the meeting, and no formal dollar amount for the Fund 40 seed allocation was approved on the record. The lease with Citrus College was described as a ratification of a facility agreement; the transcript did not include the motion language, mover/second, or a recorded vote tally for that ratification. Speakers said the district is currently paying for off-site pool access (examples cited included Citrus College and trips to pools in other cities) and estimated those costs in public comments as “about $20,000,” a figure attributed to commenters and not presented as a finalized district accounting.

Implementation challenges: Board members and presenters framed the issue as constrained by available bond and measure funds and recent staffing reductions; the board noted that a large bond (Measure M) was focused on campus safety upgrades and that full replacement of an aquatic facility would exceed current local resources without additional funding. The board directed staff to return with options for minimal repairs that would make the pool usable for student instruction while the district continues to pursue long-term funding.

Next steps: The district will develop repair estimates and funding options for future board consideration. The lease with Citrus College remains in place to allow some programs to continue while district work proceeds.