Supporters urge Colton Joint Unified to consider Pilot gas station shower pilot and district partnership

Six public commenters told the Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education on Aug. 5 that the district should work with the Chandi Group on a Pilot gas station pilot in Bloomington to install showers and pursue school–business partnerships.

Karam Singh, who introduced himself to the board, told trustees the Chandi Group "is deeply committed to the community" and asked the district to consider partnerships that could "support your schools with resources, funding partnerships, scholarships, and even career pathways for students interested in business management or vocational training." He said the company views the relationship as "more than just a business operating in Bloomington."

Sid Granava, another commenter, said suggestions that a shower facility at a truck stop "threatens or degrades the surrounding area" are "unreasonable" and that opposing the showers "borders on outright discrimination," framing the proposal as an investment in people rather than a risk.

A third speaker (introduced in the transcript as "I cower," name unclear) and other residents — including Alicia Vega, Brianna Leon Torres and Genesis Kariaga — also spoke in favor of the project. Speakers said Chandi Group employs local residents, has a record of community involvement in the Inland Empire, and that on-site showers would support truck drivers—safety and wellbeing, which commenters linked to road and community safety.

Several speakers emphasized potential educational benefits beyond hygiene: internships, sponsorships, scholarships and career pathways for students. Alicia Vega, who identified herself as a Colton resident with family members who are truck drivers, said the showers help drivers "reset, relax, [and] get back on the road alert," and stressed safety for children and the community.

Speakers also responded to unspecified opponents, saying objections rely on stereotypes of truck drivers and unfairly stigmatize working-class people. The public commenters asked the board to consider resolving the matter in good faith and to view business-district partnerships as opportunities to support students.

After public comment closed, the board thanked the speakers and announced it would recess into closed session to discuss items that include the Pilot gas station matter; no decisions or votes on the proposal were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.