Parents, community members urge Rialto Unified to investigate alleged teacher misconduct

Community members pressed the Rialto Unified School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 to pursue transparent investigations and stronger accountability after several speakers said students had been harmed by district employees.

At a public comment period before the board moved into closed session, Mirna Ruiz, a parent and community member, told the board: “Esta cultura de temor y silencio debe cesar,” saying families fear retaliation and doubt that “acciones apropiadas jamás se tomarán.”

The comments focused on allegations against two former teachers named repeatedly during public comment: Michael Montano and Gayurel Quiñones. Ana González, a Rialto parent who said she is a district alumna and former district employee, read a letter she said came from a survivor who reported being sexually exploited by two high-school teachers while a minor and said she reported the abuse to the district in 2020.

Other residents at the meeting urged the board to remove staff who pose risks, conduct transparent investigations, and ensure that victims can safely report abuse. Antony Noriega said public participation is a democratic right and warned that “el reprimir la inquietud del público … socava la confianza del público,” while Frank Montes and others alleged the district has tolerated or transferred problematic employees between campuses rather than imposing consequences.

Tim Prince, an attorney and community member, and Steve Figueroa, who identified himself as an education advocate, urged the board to prioritize students and integrity in handling allegations. Several speakers named district administrators they said should take action; Leticia Chávez said details of past investigations are compiled and provided to the board in closed-session materials.

The board convened a closed session under state law after the public-comment period. The presiding official announced the closed session would address personnel matters under Government Code section 54957. When the board reconvened, the board president reported “No hay nada que reportar de la sesión cerrada,” indicating no reportable action was taken in closed session.

The public comments at the Feb. 12 meeting included requests that the district pursue transparent investigations, protect reporting students from retaliation, and consider administrative removal or other measures for staff alleged to have abused students. Speakers also said they had filed or planned to file complaints with outside agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education.

The board did not announce any formal personnel actions or public directives arising from the closed session when it returned to open session. The meeting materials and any follow-up the board chooses to make public will be available through the superintendent’s office as provided by district rules.