Rialto Unified board approves construction amendments, Saturday enrichment pilot and $600,000 special‑education extension

The Rialto Unified School District Board of Education voted on Jan. 21 to approve a slate of contracts and program renewals affecting facilities, student programs and special‑education services.

Key votes at the meeting included: • Approval of amendment No. 3 with Ericson Hall Construction for construction management services related to two new two‑story classroom buildings at Eisenhauer High School. The board recorded a contract increase (approximately $117,000) and a revised not‑to‑exceed contract amount to be paid from bond/Capital funds. • Approval of amendment No. 1 with PF Vision Inc. for additional Division of the State Architect (DSA) inspection services (reported increased cost $21,500). • Acceptance of a deductive change order for Sierra School Equipment Company (auditorium seating) that reduced the contract from a previously reported $156,442 to a corrected amount (final reading in the meeting transcript); staff authorized filing a notice of completion with San Bernardino County. • Approval of a renewal contract for multiple providers to operate a Saturday enrichment program (UMO) from Jan. 24–May 16, 2026, with a total cost not to exceed $27,800 to be paid from the general fund. Trustees asked that administration present post‑pilot demographic and outcome data to evaluate equity and effectiveness. • Approval of an extended‑school‑year (ISY) plan for eligible students with disabilities from Jan. 22–July 3, 2026, with a cost not to exceed $600,000 from general funds; trustees discussed IEP and eligibility processes and were told final student counts will be determined through the usual IEP procedures. • Approval of an overnight college tour (March 15–20, 2026) to historically Black colleges and universities for 45 students and five chaperones, not to exceed $99,207.50 from general funds. • Adoption of resolutions adjusting trustee compensation authority (Res. 25‑2619) and authorizing participation in a children and youth behavioral health initiative (Res. 25‑2620).

Administration and trustees emphasized oversight and requested follow‑up reporting. Trustee questions during debate repeatedly sought pilot data, demographic breakdowns and stated evaluation criteria before scaling programs.

Votes and procedural notes: Most motions carried by unanimous roll call (trustees present voted “yes” unless noted). On claim F10 one vote was recorded as an abstention by K. Williams; otherwise the consent and action items were approved as presented. The district staff was authorized to file required notices of completion for finished projects and to proceed with contract amendments as authorized by fund source (bonds/fund numbers read into the record).

Next steps: Staff will provide the requested pilot data and demographic information for the Saturday program after completion; administration will finalize ISY eligibility counts and notify trustees. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Feb. 11, 2026.

Representative excerpt from the meeting: "...es un programa piloto... vamos a poderle proveer esa información demográfica, pero también la data del logro que se está solicitando," a district leader said when trustees asked for post‑pilot results.

The board adjourned at approximately 9:14 p.m.