Monrovia Alumni Association seeks school land for veterans memorial; board asks for cost and liability details

The Monrovia Alumni Association asked the Monroe‑Gregg School District board to allow placement of a veterans memorial on district land adjacent to the library, presenting renderings and a plan that organizers say is largely funded by donated materials and volunteer labor.

A presenter for the association said the group’s request is straightforward: the association would like the district to provide the land, allow electrical service for lighting and assume insurance coverage for the memorial if it is placed on district property. The presenter told trustees that donors have supplied most materials and that a community foundation fund is being discussed to cover future maintenance.

Board members pressed for details on the memorial’s footprint, orientation and public access. The presenter described the proposed memorial as roughly 40 feet wide, set back roughly 15–20 feet from the library, and aligned with the library frontage so it would not block vehicle access or require substantial grading. Trustees asked whether the installation would tie into existing sidewalks and how it would affect the school entrance if future expansion is needed.

Trustees also raised potential liability and cost questions. Several members asked staff to ask the district’s insurance carrier for an estimate of any premium increases and to report back with a clearer sense of electrical hookup costs. Board members discussed the option of deed‑ing a small parcel to an outside organization if the district prefers to avoid holding long‑term liability for a memorial on school property.

Organizers said they hoped to complete the memorial this year if the board approves a location and utility hookups quickly, emphasizing that most materials and labor have been pledged. Board members did not vote on the request; instead they asked administration to gather the insurance and cost information and return with recommendations at a future meeting.

The board did not indicate a timeline for formal action but directed staff to gather the requested information so trustees can consider formal approval at an upcoming meeting.