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Board pulls $74,375 turf purchase for Monrovia High after trustees say item was not shared in advance
Summary
Trustees pulled a $74,375 Monrovia High turf purchase from the consent calendar and asked staff for drawings and student input before approving; trustees also questioned a $98,411 portable-flooring expense and asked for clearer advance notice on large-ticket facilities work.
Trustees on Wednesday removed a $74,375 purchase order for artificial turf at Monrovia High School from the consent calendar and directed staff to return with a formal plan, including sketches and student input, before any approval.
Several board members said they were unaware of the turf project and asked why such a large-dollar facilities item had not been routed through a staff report or previously disclosed to the board. Board member concerns focused on process and public notice rather than the merits of the improvement: "My objection is the process here, the procedure," one trustee said, asking for detailed drawings and confirmation of community and student support.
Portables flooring: trustees also questioned a separate $98,411 consent item for carpet tile and flooring replacement in portables at Plymouth, noting the district’s facilities report lists portables as temporary structures and asking whether investing in expensive upgrades was fiscally prudent if the units are near or past expected life cycles.
District response: staff said the turf scope is to prepare a seating/quad area near Friendship Circle and that irrigation will be capped and artificial turf installed; they agreed to prepare contractor sketches, scope and student engagement before returning to the board. For the portable flooring work, staff said the work addressed six rooms and was performed after hours to create usable classrooms for incoming students.
Board action: trustees approved the remainder of the purchase orders and warrants but withheld the turf item for a future presentation; the consent motion (excluding the turf) passed 5-0.
Why it matters: trustees emphasized that large facilities expenditures should be presented transparently so the board can exercise fiscal oversight. They asked staff to include student voice (including the student board member) in the review and to present any high-cost facilities items as standalone agenda items going forward.
