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Monrovia board adopts election, vacancy bylaws and outlines appointment process after candidates failed to file
Summary
Trustees voted unanimously to adopt Board Bylaws 9220 and 9223 (governing elections and filling vacancies), discussed Education Code requirements when no candidate files, and debated using a two‑member subcommittee versus full‑board input to craft the appointment process ahead of a tight timeline.
The Monrovia Unified School District Board on Sept. 11 unanimously adopted two bylaws updating how the governing board handles elections and fills vacancies.
The board adopted Board Bylaw 9220, governing board elections, and accompanying exhibit 9220 E1; both were presented as recommended updates from the California School Boards Association and the Gamut policy service. The motion to adopt passed 4–0 on roll call.
The board also adopted Board Bylaw 9223, which details the process for filling vacancies. Board Member Lockerbie emphasized the bylaw’s long history and said the current version incorporates guidance from the California Schools Boards Association and the Education Code. "This isn't anything new," Lockerbie said, noting the bylaw has been amended over time.
Board Member Trevante warned that, in the current situation, appointments will be required because no candidate filed in some trustee areas. She criticized the conversion to trustee areas under the CVRA (California Voting Rights Act) process earlier this year and urged legislative changes, saying the current law can lead to board appointments that bypass voters. "This is new to us," Trevante said, and urged residents to contact state legislators about amending the law.
Superintendent Dr. Paula Hart Rodas explained the statutory options and timelines: the law requires the board to appoint a qualified person when a vacancy results from no candidate being nominated and a district election will not be held. She said the board or a subcommittee (two members or fewer) must determine the application process, timeline, candidate evaluation method and publicity, with appointments to be made before Nov. 5 so appointees can be seated at the December organizational meeting.
Trustees debated process options. Some members favored a short two‑member subcommittee to draft application materials quickly; others preferred that all five trustees submit feedback to the superintendent and have staff distill a proposal to preserve transparency and ensure the whole board’s input. Superintendent Hart Rodas proposed a hybrid approach: collect input from all trustees, let the superintendent compile a draft, and have a subcommittee refine it for board action at the next meeting.
The board voted to adopt the bylaws (4–0) and agreed on a near‑term timeline to solicit trustee feedback and return a proposed application and appointment process for action.
