District finance update outlines revenue gains; public raises safety and staff misconduct concerns

Rialto Unified fiscal staff presented a midyear budget update on March 5 that highlighted unexpected revenue inflows and explained how the district calculates its balance; after the presentation, multiple community members used public comment to press the board on safety, discipline and alleged staff misconduct at district schools.

Diane Romo, lead fiscal services agent, explained the district’s fund‑balance categories, noted that some revenue items arrived after the budget adoption and showed higher‑than‑expected interest and other receipts. Romo said the district received several unanticipated increases reported during the presentation: roughly $5.8 million more in interest earnings than budgeted, a $4.3 million contribution tied to special‑education funding, a $2 million lottery increase and about $1 million more in tax revenue compared with earlier projections; staff also described the state timetable that affects final budget calculations and the practice of carrying restricted funds forward to future years.

During public comment, several parents and community members described concerns about campus safety, staff behavior and the district’s handling of complaints. Speakers raised allegations involving staff conduct at specific schools, requested accountability and asked trustees to visit campuses and increase transparency. Multiple commenters called for stronger protections for students and discussed metal‑detector options, while other parents described gaps in special‑education supports and after‑school programs such as Step Up.

Trustees responded by thanking speakers and noting the district’s privacy and due‑process obligations in personnel matters; several trustees proposed more outreach to schools and a board subcommittee to examine security and community engagement. Trustees said investigations and personnel matters may be covered by confidentiality rules but encouraged people to report concerns so the district can act.

The board did not take immediate policy action on safety at the meeting but directed staff to continue reviewing budget impacts and to provide follow‑up on implementation details for programs and safety recommendations as appropriate.