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Parents and staff press Rialto Unified for investigations into campus safety and alleged retaliation
Summary
Multiple speakers at the Dec. 10 board meeting urged the district to investigate campus safety issues, alleged staff retaliation and unresolved personnel complaints; several called for greater transparency on nutrition services spending and worker pay.
Several parents and district staff used the Dec. 10 Rialto Unified board meeting to press the district on safety, personnel complaints and compensation.
Winter Rogers, who identified herself as staff associated with Miler Elementary and the Inspire program for adults with disabilities, told the board she had raised a drainage problem that she said caused respiratory issues among staff and students for months and that previous internal reports had been dismissed. Rogers said she had contacted multiple agencies outside the district and asked the superintendent’s office to investigate and follow up.
Amber Green and other public commenters described unresolved workplace violence reports and alleged delays in internal investigations. One commenter said she had not received a response 61 days after filing a violence report and asked for urgent action, stating the situation left her fearful at work. The superintendent or his representative said they would contact the commenter the next day.
Several speakers accused Trustee Edgar Montes of favoritism and retaliatory actions, alleging mishandled investigations and misuse of nutrition‑services funds by outside vendors. Those comments were strongly worded and directed at the trustee’s conduct; the board did not take immediate action during the public comment period beyond acknowledging the remarks. The trustees repeatedly reminded the public that personnel and contract matters sometimes fall under confidentiality or closed‑session rules and that the board cannot comment on pending personnel matters publicly.
Union representatives urged the new superintendent to prioritize communication and to close small gaps in negotiations. Cristian Casten (CSEA/Chapter 203) and other union leaders asked the district to consider a small final wage increase (they referenced a 0.7–0.75 percentage point gap in negotiations) and questioned the district’s reserves versus what unions say employees need to meet cost‑of‑living pressures.
What happens next: the superintendent said his office would follow up with individuals who raised allegations and the board reiterated that some matters may require investigations or closed‑session discussion before public disclosure.
