Update on Measure K sales tax money

Although Monrovia's Measure K sales tax revenue for 2024-25 is down $967,012 -- from $7,780,539 in 2023-24 to $6,813,527 in 2024-25 -- the fund still has $24.2 million in the kitty. Sales tax  is down statewide.

The image above shows what the money is going for. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia Elementary Olympics this Thursday

The Monrovia Elementary Olympics will be held this Thursday, March 27, starting at 9 a.m. at Monrovia High School. Allow time to find street parking and to enter the stadium.

If you are cheering for a specific school, these are the school colors:    

• Bradoaks--red shirts
• Mayflower--purple shirts
• Monroe--yellow shirts
• Plymouth--green shirts
• Wild Rose--blue shirts 

Suggestions for what to bring:

• seat cushion
• snacks
• water bottle
• sunscreen, hat, spray bottle, sunglasses
• cash for concessions/lunch
• bag for trash

- Brad Haugaard

CHP looking for missing man last seen in Monrovia

California Highway Patrol has issued a Silver Alert for Aurelio Gallegos, last seen around West Walnut and Monterey avenues in Monrovia.

UPDATE: Located.

- Brad Haugaard

Makerspace for teens, March 26 at Library

Pop-up Makerspace for Teens, Wednesday, March 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Library’s Teen Area. Grades 6–12. Drop in for supplies, tools, coding with Sphero Mini Bots, and 3D art pen projects. Sponsored by  Friends of the Library. For more information email acarey@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8274.

- Brad Haugaard

Veterans Meetup March 25

Monthly Veterans Meetup, Tuesday, March. 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Starbucks at Huntington and Magnolia. Free coffee, connection, and story sharing for veterans and military service members. For more information email mcross@monroviaca.gov or call 256-8294.

- Brad Haugaard

Superintendent invites community to help select new Monrovia High leadership

Following is a letter from Monrovia Schools Superintendent Dr. Paula Hart Rodas inviting the community to help select new leadership at Monrovia High School.

Dear Monrovia Unified Community,

At Monrovia Unified School District, we are committed to ensuring that Monrovia High School continues to thrive and provide an outstanding educational experience for our students. As we look ahead, we are in the process of selecting new leadership for the high school, and we value the voices of our students, families, staff, and community members in this important effort.

We are excited to collaborate with you in this process and invite you to share your thoughts on the qualities and priorities that matter most in our next school leaders. Your input is invaluable, and we encourage you to complete a brief survey to help guide our selection.

MONROVIA HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP SEARCH SURVEY

In addition to the survey, we will be hosting Listening Sessions in the near future to gather further feedback and ensure this process reflects the needs of our entire Monrovia High School community. More details will be shared soon.

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. Your voice will help shape the future of Monrovia High School, and we appreciate your partnership in building a bright path forward for our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Paula Hart Rodas

Superintendent

Learn about Monarch butterflies at Garden Club meeting

Learn about Monarch butterflies with speaker Susie Vanderlip at the Monrovia Garden Club meeting on March 25 at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (101 E. Foothill Blvd). Includes insights on their life cycle and gardening tips to attract them.

- Brad Haugaard

Plants that don't go in the green waste container

If you thought (like me) that drought-tolerant plants like palm fronds, yucca, cacti, bamboo, and succulents should be disposed in the green trash can. Wrong! They should go in the black trash container because their tough, fibrous makeup disrupts composting equipment and decomposes too slowly.

- Brad Haugaard

Youth Commission April activities

This April the city's Youth Commission will host these events for teens...

• A Bob Ross painting activity on April 9 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
• A meeting at Rotary Park on April 15 at 4:30 p.m.
• A service project April 23 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• An Easter Egg Hunt on April 19
• Arbor Day and Earth Day on April 26. 

If interested, contact the Community Center at 256-8233.

- Brad Haugaard

Nominations open for Older Monrovian of the Year Award

Nominations are open for the 2025 Older Monrovian of the Year Award. The Community Center is seeking individuals 60 or older who contributed to the community in 2024. Submit nomination forms to Lauren Pagliotti at the Community Center, 119 W Palm Ave, or email lpagliotti@monrovica.gov. Nomination form here. 

- Brad Haugaard

Trail restoration work begins Monday

Trail restoration in the Hillside Wilderness Preserve begins Monday, March 24. Contractors will repair damage from fire-related dozer lines by reshaping trails, reinforcing edges, and installing drainage features. Work will take several weeks and some trails will close intermittently for safety.

Comment: I'm up there frequently and while the trails need a bit of work, they're actually in pretty good shape.

- Brad Haugaard

Many Altadena fire pets need new homes

If you need a pet, more than 1,000 animals entered the Pasadena Humane Society shelter after the Altadena fire. Though many have been reunited with families, others were surrendered by displaced owners and need permanent or foster homes. City Manager Dylan Feik suggests adopting if you can, or donate to the Pet Food Pantry , or support the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run.

- Brad Haugaard

Monrovia High principal, two assistant principals likely being terminated; also other non-teachers

 

The Monrovia High School principal and two assistant principals are likely being terminated. The decision must be approved by the school board, but the item is on the "Consent Agenda," which are items that staff believes are almost certain to be approved, and which are usually all approved by a single vote.

According to the district's Personnel Assignment Report, these terminations are by "voluntary resignation." Layoffs in the financially hurting school district have affected teachers and now non-teaching staff as well. The same report indicates that six other non-teaching staff will be leaving: a campus assistant, special ed instructional assistant, instructional aide for those with severe disabilities, a school/community liaison, special education instructional assistant, and a kindergarten instructional aide. Details.

- Brad Haugaard

School board to consider hiring management firms to oversee bond money; Pre-kindergarten planned; Accountability plan; response to hate

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ...

~ Hiring Dixon Smartschoolhouse LLC to manage projects funded by Measure MM bond money, for which it would be paid either 4% of the program budget, or  $2,280,000, whichever is less. Details.

~  Hiring Fieldman Rolapp & Associates, Inc. to provide financial planning, debt issuance, and regulatory compliance for a term of up to five years for Measure MM bond money. The company would be paid $59,500 for each financing project and additional money for other services. Details.

~ A report on the district's "transitional kindergarten" program, meaning a pre-kindergarten class. Details.

~ A mid-year report on its Local Control Accountability Plan, the goals of which are: College, career and life prepared graduates; exemplary educators; supportive, inclusive and student-centered school cultures; and engaged parents, families and community. Details. 

 ~ A report on the district's response to hate. The district resolves to "continually assess and implement strategies to uphold its values of respect, empathy, and unity, and to provide educational opportunities that promote cultural awareness and understanding." Details.

- Brad Haugaard

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food

Dinner at Rudy’s Mexican Food, at the corner of Myrtle and Colorado. Got a chicken enchilada combination for $12.99 and a medium beer for $12.99. Nice. 

- Brad Haugaard