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El Monte board frames fall progress around strategic plan; literacy funds, green schoolyard and classroom modernizations highlighted
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Mariel Garcia opened a newly named "Strategic Plan Update," reporting targeted one‑time literacy grants to Wilkerson and Sherpter schools, summer professional development, green schoolyard projects and completed classroom modernizations at Cortala; staff also warned of a structural budget deficit and enrollment declines.
Superintendent Dr. Mariel Garcia told the El Monte City School District Board on Sept. 15 that the cabinet would rebrand its regular updates as a "Strategic Plan Update" to better align department work with the district's adopted strategic plan.
Dr. Garcia and staff said two district schools qualified for one‑time state literacy coaching funds: $450,000 for Wilkerson School and "a little over half a million dollars" for Sherpter School, to be targeted toward early‑grade literacy instruction. "We just received the news from the CDE," said Mr. Era, who led the presentation on academic priorities, adding that the funds are one‑time and intended to strengthen early instruction.
The board heard that teachers completed a full week of professional development focused on tier‑one instruction, common formative assessments and strategies for small‑group interventions. A personnel update reported average certificated substitute coverage at about 40 per day so far, with days that could reach 70–90 substitutes; staff said a new pool of roughly 23–24 substitutes has been onboarded to support coverage.
On facilities, staff described a green schoolyard modernization carried out with CalFire grant funding and local contributions at Cortana, Sherpter and Gidley schools. At Cortana, staff reported recent sprinkler upgrades and new grass areas that will soon be available to students. The board also heard that a two‑year childhood modernization at Cortala School is complete: six aging portable classrooms were removed and four new classrooms installed, with licensing and fire‑marshal clearance completed.
Looking ahead to summer 2026, district staff said they plan to seek a pool of architects to design HVAC replacements and move window units to rooftop systems at Cortado and Real Hondo schools, a process that will require Division of the State Architect review because of structural load changes.
The presentation closed with staff describing expanded enrichment and after‑school opportunities—mariachi, musical theatre, youth cinema, sports and other programs—plus an emphasis on whole‑child supports (counselors, social workers and partners) and recent staff training in conscious discipline and inclusive play practices.
The superintendent and cabinet framed these updates as early returns on the district’s strategic plan and invited the public to upcoming ribbon‑cutting events and future board updates.
