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Public commenter urges transparency as Rialto Unified board meets in closed session on superintendent appointment
Summary
At a Oct. 6 special meeting, a public commenter urged Rialto Unified School District board members to include unions and the public in any superintendent vetting and cited the Brown Act; the board held a closed session on the appointment and later reported it took no action.
A public commenter pressed the Rialto Unified School District Board of Education on transparency as the board met in a special session Oct. 6 at the Dr. John Casaluna Educational Center in Rialto.
Tobin Braker, identified by the board clerk as a speaker on the closed‑session item, asked the board to explain the purpose of the special meeting and to include unions and community stakeholders in any superintendent interviews. "We want to be included," Braker said, arguing that participation would help ensure buy‑in when a superintendent is selected.
Braker cited California’s open‑meetings law while describing his concerns: "The Brown Act is a California sunshine law that ensures public access to meetings of local government agencies by requiring them to hold their meetings open to the public, provide public notice, and offer opportunities for public participation," he said. He added that quickly called meetings during a workday raise questions about whether the public and unions will be part of any hiring process.
Board leaders announced that the single closed‑session item was "Public employee appointment — Superintendent." The chair recorded a motion and second to move into closed session "as provided by law." The transcript does not record the names of the members who made or seconded the motion.
After the board recessed and later reconvened in open session, board clerk Mr. Montez reported to the board president: "At this time, the board has not taken any action." No further details about candidates, interviews, or next steps were provided in the public report out.
The meeting concluded after a vote to adjourn. The transcript contains no recorded direction to staff or a timetable for future public involvement in the superintendent search.
