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Rialto parents, staff demand independent investigation after allegations and superintendent placed on leave
Summary
Dozens of parents, teachers and community groups urged the Rialto Unified School District board on Feb. 5 to order independent investigations and take immediate steps after allegations of staff misconduct and the administrative leave of Superintendent Steven Ávila prompted widespread public comment.
Dozens of parents, teachers and community members used the meeting’s public-comment period to press the Rialto Unified School District Board of Education on allegations of sexual misconduct involving current or former district employees and to demand independent investigations.
Speakers said the district’s handling of complaints has left staff and families fearful, and several asked the board to remove or keep on leave employees accused of wrongdoing while outside investigators review the allegations. The comments followed earlier closed-session items that referenced personnel matters and existing or anticipated litigation.
Why it matters: Speakers framed the accusations as a system failure with potential Title IX implications and urged urgent action to protect students, restore staff morale, and ensure public trust.
At the start of public comment, special-education teacher Sandra Gabousen described ongoing workplace retaliation and intimidation she said she and colleagues have experienced and said the district had not responded to complaints filed in November 2024. Teacher…
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