Monrovia Unified board delays middle‑school consolidation, votes to form independent review committee

A divided Monrovia Unified School District board voted 3–1 on Jan. 22 to defer a staff recommendation to consolidate the district’s middle schools and instead directed the superintendent to convene a community consolidation committee and hire an independent consultant to evaluate options.

The board was considering a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Hart Rous to designate Clifton Middle School as the district’s single middle‑school campus and repurpose the Santa Fe site for other district or community uses. In presenting the plan, Dr. Rous said consolidation was part of the district’s fiscal stabilization work and that it would help the district meet multi‑year budget projections the county had flagged; staff estimated the consolidation would produce ongoing staffing‑related savings on the order of about $1.2 million per year (staff noted estimates vary and additional utility and operational savings could add to that figure).

Supporters of the superintendent’s recommendation said consolidation would equalize program access for seventh‑ and eighth‑grade students, allow more efficient deployment of elective and enrichment offerings, and reduce the size of the district’s projected deficit. During the meeting President Travante said she was prepared to support the recommendation “to close Santa Fe Middle School and consolidate at Clifton Middle School,” citing enrollment trends and the need to sustain programs.

Opponents and several board members pressed for more outside review and broader community engagement before taking irreversible action. Board member Lockerby moved to defer action and create a consolidation committee with diverse representation — including parents, students, labor representatives, city officials and community members — and to retain an independent expert to facilitate the committee’s work. That motion was seconded and passed 3–1 (Board members Okon, Gomez and Lockerby voted yes; President Travante voted no).

Board members and staff also debated the magnitude and timing of projected savings. Dr. Rous and finance staff said prior reductions and temporary staffing moves have already realized several million dollars in savings and that consolidation would be part of the remaining work to reduce a roughly $6.2 million target identified in the district’s fiscal stabilization plan. Staff told trustees that while consolidation would eliminate some positions on paper, many roles could be absorbed by vacancies or temporary contracts that would not be renewed.

The board asked for more detail on transportation logistics (staff said the district has capacity to transport up to about 200 students beyond the 1.5‑mile radius and could pilot an afternoon late bus) and on staffing transition plans; staff said agreements with the teachers’ union cover paid time for teachers to set up classrooms during transitions and that some temporary contracts were used this year in anticipation of consolidation.

The motion to defer directs the superintendent to convene the committee, work with an independent consultant, and return a formal recommendation no later than the penultimate regular meeting of the current board so the full board can take final action at its final regular meeting.

What happens next: The superintendent will convene the consolidation committee, and the board will not vote on the consolidation recommendation while that committee is active. The committee’s work is to broaden review, examine additional scenarios and provide a facilitated, evidence‑based recommendation for the board to consider.