Chino Valley Unified parents, students press board over personnel decisions at Chino High after summer pool death

Dozens of students, parents and community members urged the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education on Jan. 16 to reconsider recent personnel actions affecting Chino High School athletic staff after a student died in a pool incident last summer.

Supporters of athletic director Mr. Hinkle and Chino High football coach Mr. LaRosa filled the public comment period and described both men as longtime mentors. “He is actually the reason why I transferred to Chino High School in the first place,” said Cecil Hall, a Chino High senior and captain of the tennis team, praising Hinkle’s role in his athletic and academic development. Several other students echoed that Hinkle and LaRosa provided stability, oversight and mentoring for athletes.

The speakers said the district has not shared details of its personnel decisions with the school community and asked the board to weigh the effect of staff departures on students. “Firing someone may feel like action, but it’s not a solution,” said Scott Rosen, a district teacher of 26 years, arguing the students would be harmed by losing established coaches and athletic leadership. Multiple parents and students told the board they believed the district had not interviewed eyewitnesses to the June incident; Luke Sam, a Chino High junior, said district staff “did not ever actually speak to” some students who were at the pool.

Board President Shaw and Superintendent Enfield said personnel matters were handled in closed session earlier and that no action requiring public disclosure was announced at the reconvened meeting. The board convened in closed session from 4:25 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. on items that included public employee discipline, student discipline and anticipated litigation; the public agenda noted “No action was taken that required public disclosure.”

Several speakers asked the district to publish investigation findings or to review the process that led to the personnel decisions. “For 30 years he’s been here — to do something for that long you really have to care about it,” said Amado Soma Haul, a freshman and multi-sport athlete, referring to Hinkle. Pastor Valdez, speaking as a parent, said the community had relied on the administrators and asked the board to remember their effect on students before making personnel decisions.

The board did not take any public vote on the personnel matters during the open meeting. Board members repeatedly emphasized limits on what they could disclose when personnel or student confidentiality or pending legal matters are involved. Several board members thanked speakers and said they heard the community’s concerns.

The meeting record shows the board received 18 requests to speak during public comment; the portion addressing Chino High athletics drew the largest in-person turnout of the evening. Beyond comments, the board made no public motion or vote regarding the Chino High athletic staff during the Jan. 16 session.

The issue is expected to remain a matter of public interest in upcoming meetings and in communications between the district and families, but the transcript and meeting minutes provide no new public findings from the district investigation.