Board authorizes $100,000 increase to hotel contract for fire-displaced families after safety concerns raised

The Rialto Unified board voted Feb. 11 to increase an existing agreement with WoodSpring Suites (doing business as Cape Town Hotel) by $100,000, raising the not-to-exceed amount from $200,000 to $300,000 to continue housing families displaced by a November fire through the end of the school year if necessary.

Public commenters and board members described the hotel’s conditions and nighttime activity as a safety concern. "It's just not safe for Rialto families to be placed at this hotel," a public commenter said, asking the district to pursue alternatives such as a Best Western property opening on Foothill.

District staff said the increase is a not-to-exceed amount to avoid displacing families tomorrow and that it does not lock the district into paying the full amount; staff said they would continue unscheduled inspections and could move families sooner if a better site becomes available. Dr. Robin McMillan, executive director of student services, said staff had made unscheduled visits to hotel rooms, reported corrective actions to the hotel when needed and coordinated support through McKinney-Vento liaisons. Fiscal staff said the district pays hotels by check after the fact, which limited available vendor choices.

The board approved the amendment by unanimous roll call vote and said staff should continue to explore alternatives and present options to end the contract early if a safer long-term placement is found.

What happens next: Staff will continue monitoring the hotel, expand the search for suitable local vendors, consider payment arrangements that broaden options, and report back to the board if a relocation is feasible before June 30.