Board reopens minutes, faces public outcry over records and alleged misconduct; seeks outside legal review

San Bernardino — The San Bernardino County Board of Education spent much of its Oct. 13 meeting responding to sustained public comment alleging inaccurate minutes, improper handling of public‑records requests and failures of oversight. After a long public comment period, the board reopened its approval of the Sept. minutes, allowed additional public comment, rescinded the earlier approval and then reapproved the minutes; it also voted to authorize staff to solicit proposals from outside law firms to conduct an independent review of a county deputy counsel communication.

Public concerns and what commentators asked for Many members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the board on several interrelated issues: alleged inaccuracies in draft minutes of prior meetings, whether public‑records requests (CPRA) have been handled transparently, and allegations involving personnel and student safety in other districts. Speakers called for immediate disclosure of documents and for independent review. Several speakers referenced the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act while urging the board to release material they said the public…