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Parents and unions press Rialto board for transparency amid superintendent hiring and contract approvals
Summary
At a Rialto Unified board meeting, parents raised conflict-of-interest concerns about the superintendent selection and asked that search materials be published; union representatives pressed the board to prioritize teacher pay while it approved several contracts including a $35,000 executive coaching agreement.
Speakers during the public-comment portion of the Rialto Unified School District board meeting urged greater transparency in the district’s superintendent search and questioned the board’s budget priorities as it considered multiple contracts.
Ana González, a parent who identified herself during public comment, asked the board to publish search documentation and investigate an anonymously circulated letter that suggested a connection between the finalist and a district official. "Queremos una transparencia y una investigación transparente de este proceso antes de que se firme o se finalice cualquier contrato," she said on the record, urging that the board demonstrate the search was merit-based.
Other community members echoed those concerns and also questioned whether funds used for outside coaching or consulting would be better allocated to classroom staff. Mirna Ruiz and Michelle Sánchez noted a pattern they said has eroded trust and asked the board to prioritize staff and students over consultants.
Union representatives made related financial arguments. Speakers for the Rialto teachers’ association and the chapter representing district employees said the district could and should invest more in staff compensation and supports. One union speaker cited an amount the district reportedly holds in reserves and said teachers and nonteaching staff deserve more robust pay increases and additional hires for special education supports.
At the same meeting, the board approved a contract for executive coaching (agenda item E3.3) for up to $35,000 from Dec. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Trustees discussed whether the agreement replaced a prior contract and recorded one abstention on the vote (Fiduciaria Domínguez). The meeting record shows the board approved the contract after clarifying that the consultant work was intended to support district leadership during transition.
Board members and the interim superintendent, Dr. Judy White, acknowledged public concern and the importance of transparency while arguing that some transition and coaching support is common after leadership changes. No additional on-the-record release of the full search notes was made during the meeting.
The meeting also included approvals of a range of program contracts for literacy and math pilots and other services — items that have budget implications and were raised by both commenters and trustees who asked for scope, measurement and procurement details.
The board scheduled follow-up and administrative processing for the approved contracts and the incoming superintendent’s onboarding.
