Rialto Unified approves contracts, raises and issues first interim report amid union pressure

At its Dec. 10 meeting the Rialto Unified School District board approved a series of contract actions, a pay adjustment for hourly classified employees and accepted a positive first interim financial report as unions pressed for faster progress on negotiations.

Contracts and procurement - The board approved renewal with Lamar Advertising for a multi-channel enrollment-marketing campaign (marquees, bus-shelter ads, mailers and digital placements) and discussed a separate renewal with Rialto Gateway Display LLC; Clerk Kira Williams asked to pull the Gateway item for additional budget and effectiveness review before final action. Staff said the child-development fund and program budgets—not the unrestricted general fund—primarily support preschool/TK advertising. - Trustees approved an amendment to the Varsity Tutors online-tutoring agreement (RFP 212213), increasing the contract by $70,000 for a new total reflected in board materials and to be paid from program funds. - The estimated annual cost for student transportation with Santa Barbara Transportation Corp. (doing business as Student Transportation of America) was amended from $5.5 million to about $7 million; the board approved the revised estimate to be paid from the general fund. - The board approved an agreement with Agile Sports Technologies (Huddle) for athletics software and services across the district's three comprehensive high schools at a total not-to-exceed cost in the board report.

Compensation and finances - Trustees approved an increase to classified hourly pay effective Dec. 20, 2025, at a cost cited in the agenda (to be paid from the general fund and child-development fund). Staff said the increase reflects minimum-wage adjustments and is separate from collective-bargaining negotiations. - The board approved the 2025–26 first interim financial report with a positive certification; trustees asked for more frequent and clearer budget briefings so board members and union representatives have ongoing visibility into reserves, obligations and the forecast.

Unions and budget pressure - Christina Costa, president of CSEA Chapter 203, told the board the district is "so close—just 75% away from closing out this contract" and said classified employees remain owed a small remaining amount; she said members are frustrated while the district reportedly holds more than $200 million in reserves. REA and CWA representatives echoed calls for fair compensation for educators and classified staff.

Board members said they value employees and want to fund fair compensation while balancing long-term fiscal stability. Several trustees asked staff to provide specific program-level data showing the effectiveness of marketing and the source funds for those contracts.