Monrovia board approves fiscal manager, SARC, financial projections and MOU; sends special-education advocacy letter

The Monrovia Unified School District board approved a set of personnel, fiscal and program items during its March 12 meeting, including the appointment of a new fiscal services manager, adoption of the School Accountability Report Card (SARC), approval of interim financial projections, approval of a teachers-association MOU related to reorganization and a short-term pool rental. The board also declared March as Women’s History Month and authorized sending an advocacy letter on special-education funding.

Appointment and staffing: The board approved the appointment of Glenda Herrera as the district’s new fiscal services manager. Recap speakers said audience members verbally expressed approval when Herrera was presented; the appointment was recorded on the meeting agenda and accepted as part of the district’s personnel actions.

School accountability and financials: The board approved the School Accountability Report Card (SARC), presented by district staff, and accepted the second interim financial projection for 2024–25 (transcript wording: 2024, '20 25) that found the district can meet its obligations. District staff said revenue was up and some expense categories (notably special-education staffing and supplies) had increased. Staff reported a follow-up interim projection in May and adoption of a new budget in June.

Programs and agreements: The board approved an overnight field trip to an “Every 15 Minutes” program that simulates a car crash to support student safety messaging prior to prom. The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Monrovia Teachers Association that outlines steps addressing the impacts of a district reorganization and reduction in force (RIF); the MOU was described as a partial/initial agreement requiring further action to complete the full MOU.

Proclamations and advocacy: The board declared March as Women’s History Month and approved sending an advocacy letter on special education funding; the board discussed the possibility of a joint letter with other cities but chose not to delay sending the district’s letter.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting recap): - Approval of Glenda Herrera, fiscal services manager — approved (meeting agenda item noted approval). - Consent agenda (multiple routine items) — motioned by Mr. Ocone; seconded by Mr. Gomez Tagle; recorded as approved. - SARC (School Accountability Report Card) — presented by district staff; motion by Mr. Ocone; second by Mr. Gomez Tagle; recorded as approved. - Overnight field trip (Every 15 Minutes) — approved. - Second interim financial projection (2024–25) — board accepted the projection and found the district can meet obligations — approved. - Duarte pool rental for Monrovia aquatics program (spring semester) — approved (rental cost reported as about $10,000). - MOU with Monrovia Teachers Association re: reorganization and RIF impacts — initial steps approved; further MOU work remains. - Proclamation: March Women’s History Month — adopted. - Advocacy letter on special-education funding — authorized and sent after the meeting.

The meeting included significant public comment focused on the pool and on staffing stability at Monrovia High School; no motions to change policy or adopt new capital projects were made during this session.