Hot Off The Press!
Monrovia Now Candidate Statement released on September 22, 2026
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Maritza Travanti, Monrovia Unified School Board, Trustee Area 5
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For nearly eight years, I have had the privilege of serving on the Monrovia Unified School District Board, twice serving as Board President. I have brought proven leadership, sound judgment, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to putting students at the center of every decision.
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Public education has faced extraordinary challenges during these years. I helped lead our district through the pandemic, declining enrollment, leadership transitions, fiscal stabilization, difficult organizational decisions, and implementation of Measure MM.
Effective governance requires experience, institutional knowledge, thoughtful decision-making, and the willingness to make difficult decisions.
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Leadership also means bringing new ideas forward and turning them into action. Working collaboratively with district leadership, I helped establish counseling support at every elementary school, our beloved Grad Walk tradition, and the State of the Schools Address to increase transparency and community engagement.
While declining enrollment remains a challenge, we must also give families compelling reasons to choose Monrovia Unified by promoting our outstanding schools, innovative programs, academic achievements, arts and music, college and career pathways, and student success stories while supporting teachers and staff.
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Fiscal responsibility is critical. We must plan for the future and ensure public resources provide students with an excellent education.
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I bring 35 years of federal government leadership, culminating as IRS Chief of Operations, where I led large organizations, managed complex operations and budgets, implemented policy, and navigated organizational change. My experience directly aligns with my role as a school board member.
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My commitment extends beyond the Board room through years of school volunteerism and community service, including leadership with the Monrovia Rotary Club.
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As a parent of a recent MHS graduate, daughter of immigrants, and Spanish speaker, I have built relationships with families throughout our district and advocated for additional Special Education funding. I listen and work to ensure all voices are heard, including through periodic Coffee Ed Chats with parents, staff, and community members.
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I remain committed to stable leadership, accountable governance, strong schools, and ensuring every student can thrive.
I respectfully ask for your vote to provide continued experienced and stable leadership for Monrovia Unified. For more information about Maritza www.maritzaformusd.com/
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Your Voice for Education in Monrovia ~ Su Voz Para Educación en Monrovia
I am honored to serve as President of the Monrovia Unified School District Board of Education, representing Trustee Area 5. But my connection to Monrovia schools began long before I was elected to the Board.
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I am a proud Monrovia Unified parent, daughter of immigrants, first-generation Latina, longtime public servant, and someone who believes deeply in the power of public education. Before being elected in 2018, I spent years volunteering in our schools through the PTA and School Site Councils. Like so many parents, I wanted to be involved, ask questions, support our teachers, and help make our schools the very best they could be for our children.
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My daughter is a proud 2024 graduate of Monrovia High School and is now studying Bioengineering with an emphasis in Medical Devices at Santa Clara University. Watching her journey through Monrovia Unified gave me a parent's perspective on the tremendous impact our teachers, staff, programs, and schools can have on a child's life. That perspective continues to guide me every time I sit behind the Board dais.
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I also bring 35 years of public service experience from my career with the Internal Revenue Service, where I retired after serving in senior leadership as Chief of Operations and Program Support. I led large organizations and complex operations and gained extensive experience in workforce planning, strategic decision-making, and organizational leadership. Those experiences have been invaluable as I have helped our district navigate difficult financial and operational challenges.
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Through it all, my priority has remained simple: students first.
Every student deserves an opportunity to discover what they are good at and build a future they are excited about. Whether that future includes a four-year university, community college, trade school, military service, or entering the workforce, our responsibility is to provide students with the education, experiences, and opportunities they need to succeed in life beyond high school.
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I am also incredibly proud to serve as Monrovia's only Latina elected official. As a Mexican American woman and the daughter of immigrants, representation is deeply personal to me. I want young people in our community to see that their background, their family's story, or the challenges they may face should never determine how far they can go.
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After eight years on the Board, I remain just as committed to our students and schools as I was on the day I was first elected. There are difficult decisions ahead for public education, and I believe Monrovia Unified needs experienced, thoughtful leadership with the judgment to make those decisions responsibly while never losing sight of the people we are here to serve.
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It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this community, and I am asking for the opportunity to continue that service.
Campaign Vision
Great Schools. Thriving Students. A Stronger Monrovia.
Investing in Our Future
I am committed to securing the financial stability of our district to fund essential programs and modernize our facilities.
Community Engagement
I prioritize open dialogue with parents and students to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.Â
Safe Learning Environment
I am dedicated to maintaining a secure and supportive environment where every student can not only. but thrive.Â