San Bernardino County Board of Education approves minutes amid public concerns on accuracy

The San Bernardino County Board of Education convened on July 14, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the adoption of the meeting agenda, approval of previous minutes, and recognition of retiring staff.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda, which was unanimously approved. Following this, the board moved to the approval of the minutes from the June 9, 2025, meeting. A motion was made and seconded; however, a board member raised concerns regarding the accuracy of the minutes, specifically noting that important discussions about the budget and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) were inadequately captured. The member expressed dissatisfaction with the level of paraphrasing in the minutes and suggested referencing the meeting webcast for accuracy. Despite these concerns, the minutes were approved with two dissenting votes.

The board then recognized Kathy Batesoli, a speech and language pathologist, for her 18 years of service. Rich Frederick from the student services branch highlighted Batesoli's contributions to the communication skills of students in the East Valley. Batesoli expressed her gratitude and shared her plans for retirement, which include pursuing her hobbies such as painting and caring for her birds.

Public comments followed, with several speakers addressing issues related to special education services. Ron Poloni, a parent, voiced concerns about the integrity of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for his son, alleging that unqualified individuals were listed on the documents. He emphasized the need for accountability and transparency in the process. Other speakers echoed similar sentiments, raising issues about student privacy and the handling of sensitive information by school districts.

Board members then provided reports, discussing various topics including attendance at a recent wellness conference and the importance of mental health support for students. They highlighted the need for improved staffing in special education and the significance of building relationships within the educational community.

The meeting concluded with a report from the business services branch, indicating ongoing efforts to address the needs of students and staff in the county.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to educational integrity and the challenges faced by parents and educators in navigating the complexities of special education services. The board plans to continue addressing these issues in future meetings.