Monrovia School District music students join to bring you, virtually, "Superstars of Music Showcase 2021."
- Brad Haugaard
Monrovia School District music students join to bring you, virtually, "Superstars of Music Showcase 2021."
- Brad Haugaard
The Board unanimously approved a contract with Dr. Smith during its May 26 meeting, where he was formally introduced to the school community via livestream.
“I am truly honored to be selected by the Board of Education as the next Superintendent of Monrovia Unified School District,” Smith said. “Monrovia Unified is a district with a reputation for excellence and tremendous community support. Its outstanding academic programs are well known throughout Los Angeles County, the state, and beyond and are complemented by its fantastic offerings in the arts, athletics, wellness and mental health, and more. I am very excited to begin meeting with teachers and staff, parents and families, community members and organizations, and those who matter most – our students.”
During the selection process, input sessions were held with administrators, staff, parents, and district stakeholders in order to learn about the qualities they wanted in a new superintendent.
Additionally, the school community was invited to fill out an online survey. Using this information, Leadership Associates – Monrovia Unified’s search firm – conducted an extensive search. The Board was presented with an impressive list of candidates, ultimately selecting Dr. Smith.
Smith earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. He also holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership from Chapman University and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from California State University, San Marcos.
Smith comes to Monrovia Unified after five years in the Paramount Unified School District, where he served as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Educational Services and led the entire Educational Services division.
During his time in Paramount, Smith oversaw a variety of key initiatives, including the development and implementation of the district’s first strategic plan, the expansion of instructional technology to include a 1-1 Chromebook program for all district students, and the creation of the district’s first new high school, Odyssey STEM Academy.
Additionally, Smith worked to expand access to and develop new Career Technical Education programs, build partnerships with local colleges and universities, and increase access to the Advanced Placement program and other rigorous courses.
Smith has been married to his wife Jennifer for over nine years; they are excited to relocate to the Monrovia area from Orange County soon.
The District will host a Superintendent Roadshow throughout July, which will serve as a meet-and-greet opportunity for stakeholders with the new superintendent. More information on the Superintendent Roadshow will be shared when details have been finalized.
On behalf of the Board of Education, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ryan Smith as our new Superintendent, and look forward to all of the wonderful things he will do for Monrovia Unified. Dr. Smith has an extensive background in education, bringing with him years of experience and a strong passion for student success. We strongly believe he will be a great fit for Monrovia Unified School District.
Sincerely,
Maritza Travanti, President
MUSD Board of Education
Source: Monrovia Schools press release
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 20-26. - Brad Haugaard]
2019 Awards
Distinguished Service Medal
Life Saving Award
2020 Awards
Medal of Merit
Distinguished Service Medal
Source: Monrovia Police press release
- Brad Haugaard
Postcard looking south on Myrtle from Lemon. See full details here. From the William Ward collection. Identifying information from Kim Ward Anderson.
Former Monrovia Board of Education member, Bryan Wong, has a new position. He explains ...
After 17 years on the Monrovia School Board, I’m excited to transition to San Gabriel Valley Habitat as the new Executive Director. As we all know, our MUSD families have had a challenging year. Similarly, many families across the San Gabriel Valley have faced overcrowded, unaffordable and unsafe living conditions—which the pandemic has only made worse. The dream of home ownership is now even more out of reach with median sales prices skyrocketing over 28% to $707,000 in the last year.
In my short time here at SGV Habitat, I have met home buyers who are able to overcome these challenges thanks to our affordable home ownership program. Just a few days ago, I was speaking to E’Tiffany, a hardworking mom of four, who always wanted to become a homeowner. She did not have that opportunity until she discovered SGV Habitat. Now, she is a few weeks away from purchasing her very own Habitat home in Monterey Park. Finally, what was once the impossible dream will become a reality for E’Tiffany and her children.
Through our three-year Expanding the American Dream campaign, we will help 100 families, just like E’Tiffany’s, build or repair their very own home . We will accomplish this through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and organizations along with support from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies.
I am proud to be part of an organization that helps families and individuals across San Gabriel Valley build and buy or repair their own safe and affordable home. Together we will build stronger neighborhoods and communities. I enjoyed working with all of you as a school board member and invite you to join me in the mission of building homes, community, and hope. To get involved, please visit sgvhabitat.org.
Sincerely,
Bryan Wong
~ The Monrovia Public Library is now open. Hours are Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Masks required. More hours will be announced by June 1, and residents may still use curbside services, virtual programs and public Wi-Fi, which now includes Library Park.
~ If you'd like to have your poetry stamped into a Monrovia sidewalk, the Art in Public Places' annual Sidewalk Poetry Contest, open to all Monrovia residents, is now accepting applications, which are due by June 4. Poems must be original compositions, family-friendly and under 250 characters including spaces and punctuation. For questions contact Kerri Zessau at 932-5564 or at kzessau@ci.monrovia.ca.us.
- Brad Haugaard
Citrus College, which serves Monrovia, has selected three candidates as finalists for Citrus College's next superintendent/president. You can learn more about each candidate during public Zoom forums scheduled for Tuesday, May 25. Candidates are:
Santanu Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D.
Santanu Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., has been a transformational leader at Cypress, Colombia and Modesto colleges. Currently serving as the president of Modesto Junior College, Dr. Bandyopadhyay has been working within the Yosemite Community College District since 2018. His prior position with the district was serving as president of Colombia College. Dr. Bandyopadhyay also served as the executive vice president responsible for instructional programs and student services at Cypress College from 2013 to 2018. In addition, he served as director of institutional research at Zane State College (Zanesville, Ohio) and as budget and policy analyst at Ohio University. A first-generation immigrant, Dr. Bandyopadhyay had a successful career in teaching and market research in India before moving to the United States. He holds a master's degree in business administration and Ph.D. from Ohio University.
Brian K. Sanders, Ed.D.
Brian K. Sanders, Ed.D., has served as the vice president of instruction and accreditation liaison officer for Colombia College since 2016. Under his leadership, the college has streamlined educational pathways and improved outcomes through numerous initiatives, including student equity and achievement and guided pathways. Prior to this role, Dr. Sanders served as the college's vice president of college and administrative services. In addition, he spent seven years as the dean of science, mathematics and engineering at Modesto Junior College. Dr. Sanders has also served as treasurer for the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematical sciences from University of California, Santa Barbara; a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Oregon; and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of California, Davis.
Greg Schulz, Ed.D.
Greg Schulz, Ed.D., has provided leadership in the California community colleges system for more than 21 years. In addition to serving in a variety of administrative roles at community colleges throughout Southern California, his professional experience includes six years as president of Fullerton College. In this role, Dr. Schulz helped effectively plan, organize, coordinate and direct the educational programs and activities of the college in accordance with the district plan and board policies. Known for being an enthusiastic and student-centered president, Dr. Schulz holds an associate degree in business administration from Fullerton College; a bachelor's degree in business administration/accounting from California State University, Fullerton; a master's degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach; and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California.
Public Forum 1, Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay, Tuesday, May 25, 1-2 p.m.
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93861455230?pwd=ckU1VDBRTUs1cU1TUGl2b2JhSlcrUT09
Meeting ID: 938 6145 5230
Password: 321586
Public Forum 2, Dr. Brian Sanders, Tuesday, May 25, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93861455230?pwd=ckU1VDBRTUs1cU1TUGl2b2JhSlcrUT09
Meeting ID: 938 6145 5230
Password: 321586
Public Forum 3, Dr. Greg Schulz, Tuesday, May 25, 4-5 p.m.
https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/93861455230?pwd=ckU1VDBRTUs1cU1TUGl2b2JhSlcrUT09
Meeting ID: 938 6145 5230
Password: 321586
- Brad Haugaard
[Monrovia Police activities from the Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Report for May 13-19. - Brad Haugaard]During the last seven-day period, the Police Department handled 340 service events, resulting in 64 investigations.
The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.
New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet.
View photos of adoptable pets and schedule a virtual adoption appointment at pasadenahumane.org. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available every day at 5:00 p.m. for the following day.
Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email.
- Brad Haugaard
Two Monrovia women and 26 other women in the 25th Senate District will be honored by State Senator Anthony Portantino as "Women Heroes of the Pandemic" for playing "an integral role in supporting their community during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Monrovians Jackie Tran and Krystina Livraga will be honored at a ceremony on May 26.
The press release says:
"Ms. Tran is a Communications Analyst for the City of Monrovia. In a time of crisis and a global pandemic, she conveyed reliable information to communities quickly. Whether it was updating the city website or creating daily COVID-19 updates for the public, she served the community of Monrovia by providing them critical information when they needed it."
"As the Commercial Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Monrovia, Ms. Livraga is charged with enforcing a variety of codes relating to business operations. During the pandemic, she took on the responsibility of facilitating Temporary Outdoor Business Operations permits and collaborated with multiple agencies to get the process moving quickly. Ms. Livraga has been attentive to the needs of local businesses during a time when small business owners have been struggling to stay open."
- Brad Haugaard