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Consultants tell Monrovia board district may qualify for $32M in state modernization funds; ADA compliance and RFPs prioritized
Summary
Dixon & Associates advised the board the district could qualify for roughly $32 million in state Prop 2 modernization funds (60/40 match) and recommended architects, phased project plans, controlling soft costs and a 5‑year ADA transition plan; the board directed staff to prepare RFPs and return options by August 13.
Consultants advising Monrovia Unified told the school board the district could be eligible for about $32 million in state modernization funds through the state school facility program, but would need a roughly $21.3 million local match. Dixon & Associates said the district has already identified about $16 million in qualifying past capital projects that can be applied toward the match, leaving a gap the consultants estimated at about $5 million.
"I think you're going to qualify for about $32,000,000 in state school facility modernization funds," Joe Dixon told the board, outlining a typical three‑year lag between application and award and the 60/40 state/local match structure.
Consultants recommended designing modernization projects to 60% (a Division of State Architect submittal milestone), phasing work to limit escalation, and targeting soft costs at 15% where possible. They also urged the district to hold state savings rather than immediately committing it, to preserve flexibility for high‑priority capital projects.
Consultants and district staff gave ADA and accessibility particular emphasis. Jason Viloria recommended the board direct staff to develop an access‑compliance transition plan for DSA and to put out RFPs for architects and bids for bells, intercoms, clocks, fire alarm and access control. He noted DSA will likely require a 20% set‑aside for accessibility work and described pervasive site issues (ramps, handrails, cracked asphalt, clocks/intercoms) that need attention. Viloria said some urgent fixes can be handled internally while larger modernization work proceeds.
The board asked detailed questions about developer fees, fund restrictions, the mix of Fund 21 (bond leftover), Fund 25 (developer fees) and Fund 40 (capital facilities), and whether expenditures already in place count toward the state match. Staff and consultants advised that Fund 25 (developer fees) are typically the most restrictive and should be used first in accordance with standard finance practice.
Board direction: Members voted to direct staff to prepare RFP documents for architectural services, to develop a five‑year ADA compliance transition plan and to return options for bells/intercoms/clocks/fire alarm/security for August 13 so the board can set priorities and a spending plan.
Numbers cited in the presentation: Fund 21 balance ~$688,720; Fund 25 (developer fees) ~$6,100,000; Fund 40 (capital facilities) roughly $55,000,000; local funds currently available roughly $11,800,000 and potentially ~$33,500,000 after an estimated Series B issuance (~$21,700,000). Consultants estimated $32,000,000 state modernization funds with a required local match of ~$21,300,000; district‑qualifying prior capital projects counted ~$16,000,000 toward that match, leaving a shortfall of about $5,000,000.
What’s next: Staff will produce RFPs and an ADA transition plan and present options and cost/scope estimates for board direction in August.
