Monrovia Unified School District (Photo – MUSD)
The Monrovia Unified School District (MUSD) has announced plans to close one of its two middle schools by the 2026-2027 school year. This move is part of a district-wide effort to balance the budget and address declining student enrollment.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
District officials have confirmed that either Clifton Middle School on South Ivy Avenue or Santa Fe Middle School on West Duarte Road will be consolidated, though no final decision has been made on which campus will close. This decision follows years of enrollment declines and shrinking revenue that have strained the district’s budget.
According to a district fiscal report, the closure is expected to save approximately $750,000 annually. In addition to the consolidation, MUSD anticipates staff reductions, including 27 teachers and two administrators, as part of a broader plan to cut roughly $6 million in ongoing expenditures over the next two years.
Over the past decade, Monrovia Unified has faced a consistent decline in student enrollment, averaging a 2 percent drop per year. MUSD’s challenges reflect those of districts across California, where falling birth rates and high living costs have led to fewer school-aged children. For MUSD, the consolidation marks a difficult but necessary step to make the most of limited resources.
Community reactions have been mixed. Parents and local residents have expressed concerns about the potential closure, citing the impact on class sizes, student commutes, and access to after-school programs and extracurricular activities.
The MUSD Superintendent, Dr. Paula Hart Rodas, will present her recommendation on which school to close on Wednesday, November 19. The board will make its final decision on Wednesday, December 17.
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