Colton District opposes nearby relocation, urges Board of Supervisors to deny project

Colton Joint Unified School District told the Bloomington Municipal Advisory Council on Feb. 4 that it is opposing a proposed school relocation and asked local residents and the MAC to urge the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to deny the project. The district said the developer transfer from Howard to Brookfield has not included a commitment to honor a $44.5 million agreement tied to the relocation.

The district raised concerns about the site’s proximity to existing truck routes and potential pollution impacts and pressed for mitigation measures, including pedestrian bridges and free student transportation. Colton Joint Unified School District also requested funding to support an additional sheriff deputy, which the district estimated would cost about $350,000 annually.

District representatives told the MAC they remain prepared to continue litigation over the relocation if needed and said they would keep engaging with the community and MAC members. The MAC did not record a formal vote on the request during the meeting; the transcript records the district’s appeal for community support and a public asking the Board of Supervisors to deny the project.

Next steps identified by district staff include continued community outreach and collaboration with the MAC and a planned pursuit of legal options if the administrative process does not address their concerns. No county decision or Board vote on the project was recorded in the MAC transcript from this meeting.