MUSD Board of Education Meeting Highlights for October 2022

Monrovia Unified School District

Board of Education Meeting Highlights

October 2022


State of the Schools Address


The Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education hosted the 2022-23 State of the Schools Address. The event was held at the Louise K. Taylor Performing Arts Center (845 W Colorado Blvd) on Wednesday, October 19th.
 
Highlights from the address included:
  • The District’s mission and vision
  • Classrooms, facilities, and infrastructure assessment and needs
  • Pre-K through Adult learning successes
  • How MUSD has maintained a sound budget
  • The expansion of student support systems
  • Student performances and more!
For those unable to attend, you can now watch it on our Board of Education YouTube Channel by using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3o_C2yGr14.

Recognitions


The Monrovia Unified Board of Education invited students from Monrovia High School’s Sports Medicine CTE Pathway and Canyon Oaks High School to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at its October meetings. Amanda Tovar, Katlyn Beller, Meilena Robertson, Savannah Almiron, and Zoila Lopez did a fantastic job starting our Board meetings. 

 

The Monrovia Unified Board of Education invited students from Monrovia High School’s Sports Medicine CTE Pathway and Canyon Oaks High School to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at its October meetings.


The Board of Education & the Chamber of Commerce congratulated the following employees on being named Monrovia Unified School District's "Employees of the Month" for October. Each of them is an excellent example of our fantastic staff working at MUSD.: 
  • Sara Valenzuela, Clerical Assistant III, Monrovia Community Adult School (not pictured)
  • Mark Tremper, Adult Education Teacher, Monrovia Community Adult School 
  • Jason Edwards, Teacher, Mountain Park School
 
The Board of Education & the Chamber of Commerce congratulated the following employees on being named Monrovia Unified School District's "Employees of the Month" for October.

The Board celebrated several MUSD students for their English Language Learners (ELL) Reclassification. Reclassification is when a student transfers from ELL to Fluent English Proficient and no longer needs ELL services. Congrats to all these students who put in so much work to earn this recognition!

 

The Board celebrated several MUSD students for their English Language Learners (ELL) Reclassification.


Board Members recognized the WATCH D.O.G.S. (The Dads of Great Students) groups at Bradoaks and Mayflower. WATCH D.O.G.S. program is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement, organizations designed and developed by educators, experts, and parent & guardian volunteers over two decades. Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures serve on campus for one day or many each year to help the school community.

 

Board Members recognized the WATCH D.O.G.S. (The Dads of Great Students) groups at Bradoaks and Mayflower.

 

Board Members recognized the WATCH D.O.G.S. (The Dads of Great Students) groups at Bradoaks and Mayflower.


Board Members also welcomed Alma Ulloa as the new Executive Director of Special Education.  Ms. Ulloa joins MUSD from the Santa Ana Unified School District, where she currently serves as their executive director. Before that role, she served as director of special education for more than six years in the nearby Garvey School District. Ms. Ulloa's experiences include teaching students in both general and special education environments, leadership roles at the SELPA level, and other positions at the district level in special education.  She earned her bachelor's degree from UC Irvine and her master's from Chapman.

 

Board Members also welcomed Alma Ulloa as the new Executive Director of Special Education.


Actions Taken by the Board of Education


The Board of Education announced the reappointment of Jeanne Tyler to the Personnel Commission as CSEA’s representative for a three-year term beginning December 1, 2022.
 
The Board of Education approved a renewal contract with West Coast Protection, LLC, and Interquest Detection Canines to provide random unannounced visits to Clifton Middle School, Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School, and Monrovia High School. The company will use nonaggressive, specially trained canines for contraband detection and campus safety for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Board approved a purchase agreement with Amplify Education, Inc., for Desmos Math Curriculum access and teaching and learning supports for Grades 6 through 8 for the 2022-23 school year. Desmos provides problem-based lessons that empower students to explore new ideas, and their teacher dashboard helps teachers connect those ideas.

The Board of Education approved a contract with Professor Egghead Science for an eight-class course on STEM Engineering content using the Lego Amusement Park Engineering program for grades 6 through 8 English Learner students at Santa Fe Computer Science Magnet School and Clifton Middle School for the 2022-23 school year.

Board Members adopted Resolution No. 2223-10, indicating the District’s support for Measure MM – Monrovia Unified School District Facilities Enhancement Bond Measure. For more information on Measure MM, please visit our website. 

The Board approved a proposal by Parent Engagement Academy for the 2022-23 school year. The academy helps transform parents into agents of positive change and advocates for their children’s educational opportunities and well-being. Parent Engagement Academies will work with parents for five weeks via Zoom. There will be a unit on social-emotional learning to provide parents with tools and knowledge to deal with every stage of their child's development, ensuring a proper socioemotional learning process. The second unit will include information about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM), which will update parents' knowledge about technology and show them the importance of STEAM to succeed in this new tech era. MUSD will offer the parent academies in both English and Spanish. 

The Board of Education adopted Resolution No. 2223-08, recognizing the month of October 2022 as "Filipino American History Month." The month examines Filipino American history and culture. Filipino American History Month highlights the achievements and contributions of Filipino Americans and the economic, cultural, social, and patriotic contributions they have made in countless ways toward the development of our State and our Country.
 
The Board of Education adopted Resolution No. 2223-09, proclaiming the week of October 23 – 31, 2022, as "Red Ribbon Week." The resolution calls upon everyone involved with education in California—students, teachers, administrators, school board members, and State and local support personnel—to demonstrate a commitment for a DRUG-FREE AMERICA by wearing and displaying red ribbons during Red Ribbon Week. 

Staff Presentations to the Board of Education


Census Day Enrollment Report - David Conway, Director of Fiscal Services
 
The Board of Education received the 2022-23 Census Day Enrollment Report. The report goes over projected and actual enrollment within Monrovia Unified and enrollment changes directly affecting ADA, which impacts revenue budgets.

Monrovia Community Adult School Presentation - Flint Fertig, Director of Adult and Alternative Education

This presentation breaks down Monrovia Community Adult School (MCAS) programs, enrollment numbers, funding, student performance, and more.

California Dashboard Local Indicators Presentation - Dr. Greg Gero, Director of Elementary Educational Services

This presentation outlines which local indicators MUSD is meeting based on the California School Dashboard. The CA Dashboard is an online tool that shows how districts and schools perform on six state and five local indicators aligned with the State Priorities.