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Parents and students urge Monrovia Unified to prioritize rebuilding Monrovia High aquatic center
Summary
Multiple parents, students and community members asked the school board to reserve Measure funds and pursue outside funding to repair or rebuild Monrovia High School’s aquatic center, citing student retention, competitive athletics and equity of opportunity.
Parents, students and community members urged the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education on Wednesday to set aside Measure funds and seek outside grants to repair or rebuild the Monrovia High School aquatic center.
Karen DeClu, a parent and volunteer, asked the board to “start by setting aside $5,000,000 from the upcoming Measure draw to make our grant application stronger for an upgraded aquatic center,” and pressed the district to develop a design and funding model that would support water polo and other aquatics sports. She also asked the board to ensure interim access to facilities while a permanent solution is developed.
Tiffany Westra, the parent of four district students and a supporter of the MHS swim and water‑polo programs, said families need assurance that aquatics programs will continue next school year and requested a dedicated, skilled coach and daily pool access. “Our students are constantly competing against schools with state‑of‑the‑art facilities,” she said, urging trustees to explore multiple funding avenues, including Measure funds and external partners.
Christina Witham, a Clifton Middle School PTSA president and MHS parent, praised coach Jeff Lee and asked the board to reconsider any plan that would remove him from the program. Olive Westra, an MHS freshman swimmer, described the burden of off‑campus practices—transportation costs, lost study time and fewer on‑campus supporters—and called for Measure dollars to be allocated for facility improvements.
Speakers framed the request as both a program retention and enrollment strategy: Melissa Taylor pointed to the district’s facility needs and suggested blending necessary infrastructure repairs with visible investments that attract and keep families. Several speakers encouraged the board to pursue coalition partners, city support and grant sources such as the LA84 Foundation to supplement Measure money.
There was no formal board action on the pool at this meeting; trustees acknowledged the concerns and have directed staff to pursue grant work and to include MeasureM updates as a standing information item so the board and public can track progress.
The board’s public comment period also included pleas to maintain the MHS track, where speakers warned deferred maintenance could lead to expensive replacement if repairs are delayed.
