Monrovia School Board Appoints Katherine Thorossian as Superintendent

The Monrovia Unified school board appointed an administrator from the Glendale school district as its next superintendent in a 4-0 vote Wednesday.

Katherine Thorossian, the assistant superintendent of Glendale Unified, was chosen as the head administrator of the Monrovia Unified School District, according to School Board President Chris Rich.

Thorossian's appointment was announced at the board's regular meeting Wednesday. Board member Ed Gililland was not present for the vote.

Rich called Thorossian the "best person" for the job in an interview with Patch.

"We interviewed some fantastic candidates and Dr. Thorossian stood out as the very best person that we want to lead this district," Rich said. "She's an excellent educator and administrator and we look forward to many years of her serving Monrovia.

Thorossian will take over the job on July 1.

Board member Alex Zucco said she was impressed with Thorossian's background and extensive knowledge of the issues facing Monrovia Unified.

"I really liked everything she had to offer," she said. "She really fit with our district."

Interim Superintendent Deborah Collins said Thursday that she will retire on July 3. Residents had started petitions to try to convince the board to hire Collins for the superintendent job, but she said Thursday that she never officially applied for the position.