Monrovia Unified School District
Board of Education Meeting Highlights
May, 2022
Recognitions
The Monrovia Unified Board of Education invited students from Plymouth Elementary School and MHS to lead the May meetings in the Pledge of Allegiance. Eleni Poon, Chelsie Simbarasi, Madylene Simbarasi, Evelyn Hernandez Facio (first picture), Antoinette Body, Kendra Maye Christian, Ellizabeth Anne Hutson, and Andrew Smithwick (second picture) all did a fantastic job starting the meetings with the pledge.
The Board also recognized Monrovia Unified School District's "Employees of the Month" for the month of May. These employees embody all the necessary qualities to serve our students everyday at the highest level. The following people are being celebrated as our employees of the month for everything they do for our students:
- Karla Galindo, Teacher - Monroe ES
- Lydia Sanchez, Instructional Aide - Monroe ES
- Heather Gac, Teacher - Santa Fe CSMS
- Araceli Paez, Campus Assistant - Santa Fe CSMS
The Board of Education congratulated the CIF Championship sports teams of Monrovia High School on their award winning seasons. The Boys Volleyball Team was celebrated for winning a CIF and State Title during their impressive postseason run. The team finished with a regular season record of 29-6.
The track team was also highlighted for their accomplishments at CIF Divisional Finals and the CIF-SS Track and Field Masters Meet. Madeleine Conte was recently named the San Gabriel Valley Girls Athlete of the Week after she dominated the girls 300-meter hurdles at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet, as she qualified for the CIF State meet. Conte was the CIF-SS Division 3 champion for both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. Also, our MHS boys 4x400-meter relay team (Devin Paton, Carlos Hernandez, Andrew Sayles, and Nasir Samuels) placed second at CIF Divisional Finals and qualified for the state championship meet.
The Board invited robotics teams from Clifton Middle School (first picture), Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School (second picture), and Monrovia High School (third picture). Each one of the teams had a great season in their own right. Monrovia High School had multiple teams make it all the way to the LA Regional Championships, with an all-rookie team, Spectrum, advancing all the way to the Semi-Finals.
Board Members thanked Alexia Holt of Monrovia High School (first picture) and Brianna Campbell of Canyon Oaks High School/ Mountain Park School (second picture) for their service as Student Board Members for the Board of Education. Both students did an outstanding job representing their schools and updating the Board with the latest news throughout the year.
The Board honored Monrovia Unified School District employees who have retired or will be retiring this school year. This list is full of people who gave everything to our students. The Board of Education wished them well in their next chapters in their life. Below is the full list of employees honored:
- Sheri Bignell, RSP Teacher - 4 years
- Dorothy Brown, School Office Manager - 37 years
- Samuel Brown, Campus Security Officer - 32 years
- Sherrill Clapsaddle, Clerical Assistant I - 24 years
- Janet Harding, Clerical Assistant III - 28 years
- Randy Hare, MHS PE Teacher - 31 years
- Carter James, Teacher - 15 years
- Karen (Sue) Kaiser, Asst. Supt of Ed Services - 9 years
- Paula Langdale, Teacher - 25 years
- Amy Morrison, Teacher - 19 years
- Roger Wu, Teacher - 13 years
Actions Taken by the Board of Education
The Board of Education approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Cal Poly Pomona, San Diego State University, and Monrovia Unified School District for the purpose of providing the College of Engineering Femineer School Program at the following school sites for the 2022-23 school year:
- Bradoaks Elementary Science Academy
- Mayflower Elementary School
- Monroe Elementary School
- Plymouth Elementary School
- Santa Fe Computer Magnet Science School
- Wild Rose School of the Creative Arts
The Board of Education approved a 3.5% salary increase for all district employees retroactive to July 1, 2021 as well as updated calendars for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years.
The Board approved a contract with HopSkipDrive Inc. This company is a rideshare service that will be used to help our foster and unhoused students who don’t fit on our traditional bus routes or need a little extra help getting to school.
The Board of Education approved a contract with Capturing Kids' Hearts for the professional development needs of district staff for the 2022-23 school year. The training provided by Capturing Kids’ Hearts will be focused on social-emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven campus culture, and student connectedness.
Staff Presentations to the Board of Education
Dual Immersion Program Report - Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Sue Kaiser and Plymouth Principal Dr. Greg Gero presented an update on the District's Dual Immersion program for the 2021-22 school year.
Student Attendance Report and Governor's May Budget Revision - Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Dana Smith presented an informational report on Period 2 (P-2) Student Attendance for the 2021-22 school year and Governor Newsom's May Budget Revision.