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Monrovia Unified projects $8.1M shortfall for 2024–25; board directed to adopt fiscal stabilization plan
Summary
District business officials reported unaudited 2023–24 financials showing projected 2024–25 expenditures outpacing revenues by about $8.136 million. The board received the report, approved unaudited actuals, and directed staff to prepare a county‑required fiscal stabilization plan with multi‑year reductions.
Monrovia Unified School District presented unaudited 2023–24 financial statements and a 2024–25 projection showing a significant deficit that will require near‑term action to preserve district reserves.
“Part of the problem…we have money to pay for what we need, not necessarily all the things we want,” Superintendent Dr. Hart Rus said as she framed the district’s fiscal stabilization work and the county’s condition that reserves be maintained. Business Services Director Dr. Drake presented the unaudited actuals and the 2024–25 projections, saying the district projects a revenue/expenditure gap and “a deficiency of $8.136 million,” driven by declining LCFF revenues, expiring one‑time federal and state funds, and a projected need to transfer general‑fund dollars into restricted programs such as special education.
Dr. Drake explained that the district’s 2024–25 budget assumes lower state and federal revenue streams than the prior year and higher expenditures — including mandated programs where state/federal reimbursements do not fully cover costs. He pointed out the general fund carried over support to restricted programs last year and is budgeted to contribute an estimated $14.29 million to restricted costs in 2024–25.
Teachers’ and classified‑employee concerns surfaced during public comment. Randy Medina, president of a teachers’ association, urged the board to care for employees and called attention to perceived inequities in recent personnel actions against a backdrop of fiscal strain.
Board members asked staff to break out which grants are one‑time and when they expire, to provide details on restricted‑fund balances and anticipated carryover, and to confirm transfers to the Adult Education fund. Staff committed to provide those clarifications in updates and to include an itemized list of one‑time funds and expirations in a Friday update.
Next steps: the board approved the unaudited actuals (vote 5–0) and directed staff to prepare a fiscal stabilization plan, including board‑approved reductions of $3.8 million in 2025–26 and $6.2 million in 2026–27, to be submitted to the Los Angeles County Office of Education by Dec. 2. Staff will also prepare the first interim budget report by Dec. 15 and provide more detailed schedules of grant expirations, restricted balances, and proposed mitigation measures.
