Fiscal Stabilization Plan

Over the past year, Monrovia Unified’s Board of Education has taken proactive steps to secure the district’s long-term financial health while continuing to prioritize the educational experiences and success of all students. Through a series of Board meetings and community engagement sessions, we have carefully reviewed our district’s financial outlook, explored solutions, and incorporated invaluable feedback from our community.

We are pleased to share that both the Board of Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education have approved Monrovia Unified’s Fiscal Stabilization Plan, which outlines key strategies to ensure the district remains on a strong financial footing for years to come.

On this page, you can find updates, resources, and opportunities to engage with the Monrovia Unified School District’s efforts to ensure financial stability while prioritizing our students’ educational experiences and success.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to provide every Monrovia Unified School District student with an exceptional education in a safe, innovative, and inclusive learning environment. Together, we will ensure the ongoing success and stability of our schools and community.

Background Information

Like many school districts across California, Monrovia Unified has experienced a steady decline in student enrollment over the past decade. Various factors contribute to this trend, including rising housing costs and declining birth rates. On average, our district’s enrollment has decreased by about 2% annually over the last 10 years.

While we are seeing a smaller decline this year, largely due to expanded Transitional Kindergarten (TK) enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, long-term enrollment projections remain consistent with estimates from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).

It’s important to note that these challenges are not unique to Monrovia Unified. Statewide, California has seen a significant decline in student enrollment. Between the 2004-05 and 2022-23 school years, California’s TK-12 public schools lost approximately 470,000 students. Projections for the next decade indicate a further loss of 850,000 students by the 2032-33 school year.

Understanding these enrollment trends is essential as we work to ensure Monrovia Unified’s financial stability while continuing to provide our students with high-quality educational opportunities.

Board of Education Meetings and Community Information Sessions

Through a series of Board meetings, we have reviewed the details, progress, and goals of the Fiscal Stabilization Plan. Key discussions took place during the following meetings, available for review in our YouTube archives MUSD Board of Education (@musdschoolboardmeetings3368):

In addition, Superintendent Dr. Paula Hart Rodas has led various Community Information Sessions to explain the district's Fiscal Stabilization Plan and answer questions from the public.

📺 Watch the Webinar: View the December 2, 2024, Community Information Session here.

These discussions reflect our commitment to carefully assessing the district’s financial outlook, identifying areas for adjustment, and implementing initiatives to stabilize and strengthen our budget. By taking a proactive approach, we aim to ensure Monrovia Unified School District’s long-term success and align resources to best support our students and staff.

Keeping 6th Grade Students in Elementary Schools

A major component of the Fiscal Stabilization Plan is the decision to keep 6th grade at elementary school, starting with the 2025-2026 school year and continuing in subsequent years. As we move forward, elementary school principals will be scheduling informational meetings that will be held at each elementary school site. The details on these meetings will be provided soon. Families of current 5th graders will receive additional information from the Director of Student Support Services, Dr. Reuben Jones.

These changes support our efforts to achieve long-term fiscal stability while continuing to meet the needs of our students. We are grateful for your continued support and dedication to Monrovia Unified School District’s mission of empowering all students to achieve success through high-quality education.

Consolidation of the Spanish Dual Immersion Programs

Another key component of the Fiscal Stabilization Plan is the consolidation of our Spanish Dual Immersion program at Monroe Elementary School. Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, Monroe Elementary will become the exclusive home of our elementary Spanish Dual Immersion program. As a result, Wild Rose School of Creative Arts will transition to an English-only curriculum with a specialized focus on creative arts.

To ensure a smooth transition:

Current Wild Rose students enrolled in the Spanish Dual Immersion program will automatically be enrolled at Monroe Elementary to continue their dual immersion education in the upcoming academic year. (No Intra-district Permit required)
Current Monroe Elementary students who are not part of the Spanish Dual Immersion program will automatically be enrolled at Wild Rose School of Creative Arts (English-only) for the upcoming academic year. (No Intra-district Permit required)

If you are a parent of a child currently in the Spanish Dual Immersion program and would prefer for them to remain at Wild Rose (English-only), please complete this form: Click HERE. For clarification, by selecting this option, you are withdrawing your child from the Dual Immersion Spanish program.

Reduction in Force

An essential component of the FSP requires the district to right-size our staffing levels to align with enrollment. While this is a difficult process, it is a necessary step to ensure Monrovia Unified remains financially stable for years to come.

Reduction in Force (RIF) Process

We recognize that many employees and families may have concerns about what this means moving forward. Transparency is a top priority, and we want to provide detailed information about the Reduction in Force (RIF) process, what to expect, and available resources.

Key Steps in the RIF Process:

District Identifies Need for RIF: The district determines that staffing reductions are necessary due to budget constraints and declining enrollment.
Board Resolution to Reduce Services: On February 26, 2025, The Board of Education will formally adopt a resolution to reduce “Particular Kinds of Services” (PKS) in accordance with Education Code 44955. This will generate a list of affected positions for the 2025–2026 school year.
Notice Requirement: Our Human Resources Department will meet individually with all affected employees after the Board of Education meeting on February 26, 2025, to provide guidance and outline available options.
Selection Process: When determining layoffs, various factors are considered, including student needs, appropriate credentialing, and seniority.

The district has worked closely with the Monrovia Teachers Association (MTA) throughout the year to ensure seniority lists are accurate and that tiebreaker criteria are fair and documented. The Board approved these criteria in January 2025.

Hearing Process: Employees who receive a RIF notice have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge to present evidence regarding their qualifications.
Decision by the Governing Board: After reviewing the judge’s recommendation, the Board of Education will make final layoff determinations.
Reemployment List: Employees laid off due to a RIF are placed on a reemployment list and may be rehired as positions become available based on seniority.

The district’s initial RIF list will be larger than the anticipated need because we cannot add additional names later in the year after the Governor’s budget is released in May. However, we can rescind RIF notices if conditions improve.
The district anticipates being able to reemploy or rescind some RIF notices, but exact numbers cannot be determined at this time.

Our Commitment to Supporting Employees

We understand that this process is difficult, and we are committed to supporting our employees every step of the way. We are extremely grateful for our partnership with MTA, which will continue to provide assistance and advocacy for those affected. While the RIF process is a challenging component of the Fiscal Stabilization Plan, it is necessary to secure the district’s financial health for future generations.

Community Engagement Opportunities

Monrovia Unified School District Fiscal Stabilization Plan Learning Resource

Monrovia Unified School District Fiscal Stabilization Plan Learning Resource