Parents and community members press Rialto Unified for independent probe after allegations of staff misconduct

Hundreds of parents, staff members and community advocates used the Rialto Unified School District board meeting on Feb. 5 to press elected trustees for independent investigations after repeated public allegations of staff misconduct and claims of retaliation.

Speakers across the meeting described allegations that involved district employees including two classroom teachers named by several speakers, and they urged the board to authorize outside investigators and to share more information about the status of personnel actions. The comments followed the board’s announcement that it had approved a settlement in closed session earlier in the evening.

Why it matters: Multiple public commenters said alleged misconduct and the district’s handling of complaints have undermined trust in school leadership and left families uncertain about student safety. Speakers urged independent fact-finding by state or federal agencies, and some called for personnel removals or criminal investigations.

Community members detailed alleged incidents and repeated a request for an independent investigation. Michael Davis of the Westside Action Group told trustees that "Some members of the board of education have happily turned a blind eye to protect their friends," and said the allegations could have legal consequences. Anna Gonzales, a parent and community advocate, told the board: "The allegations against mister Michael Montano, mister Gabe Quinones, and potentially others within our schools are grave, deeply troubling, and demand our immediate attention." Another speaker, Beverly Jones Wright, said the community’s concerns focus on protecting children: "We are only here to protect African American children and other children." (All quotes are verbatim from speakers’ remarks to the board.)

Not all public comment was aligned: a separate group of parents and staff urged trustees to protect and reinstate specific district employees they said have been targeted in complaint campaigns. Multiple speakers asked the board to conduct transparent, timely investigations and to report results back to the community.

Board response and context: Trustees acknowledged the volume of testimony and said some matters are the subject of ongoing personnel and legal processes, which limits what they can share publicly. The board previously reported during the meeting that it "took action to approve an agreement settling claims ... in exchange for a full release of all claims" (reported out of closed session). Several trustees urged patience for investigative processes while others said the board should seek independent state or federal review.

What was not resolved: Callers repeatedly demanded an independent state or federal investigation; the board did not vote at the meeting to request outside agencies to open an audit or investigation. The transcript shows requests and public pressure but does not record the board authorizing any new independent probe during this session.

Looking ahead: Speakers asked trustees to consider referring complaints to credentialing and state authorities and to provide regular public updates on the status of investigations and personnel actions. Several speakers said they would return to future meetings until they saw independent action or transparent outcomes.