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Board of Education — April 25, 2023

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The Redlands Unified School District board meeting included committee reports on the Redlands Compact Club, Redlands Educational Partnership, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, and Co-curricular programs. The superintendent's interim report highlighted the Optimus Games event featuring special needs and typical students. The board approved multiple consent items and resolutions, including Resolution 33 designating May 10th as Day of the Teacher and Resolution 34 designating May 16th as Education Support Professionals Day. The board also appointed Adam Wagner as Director of Student Services effective July 1, 2023, and Nicole House as Assistant Principal at E Academy Rise effective May 1, 2023. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment addressing concerns about sexual abuse in the district following a CBS documentary and expressions of support for LGBTQ+ student clubs and their faculty advisors.

Key decisions

  • Approved consent items B through K (Business Services)
  • Approved consent items B through D (Educational Services)
  • Adopted Resolution 33 (2022-2023) designating May 10, 2023 as Day of the Teacher - unanimous approval
  • Adopted Resolution 34 (2022-2023) designating May 16, 2023 as Education Support Professionals Day - unanimous approval
  • Approved stipulated expulsion of student 2022-2023-030 through remainder of second semester 2022-2023 and all of first semester 2023-2024 - unanimous approval
  • Approved consent items B through AE - unanimous approval
  • Established position and approved job description for Coordinator One, Special Education Legal Analyst effective April 26, 2023 - unanimous approval
  • Appointed Adam Wagner as Director of Student Services effective July 1, 2023 at step three of management salary schedule - voting aye: Quintero, Holohan, O'Neill, Renler, Vara
  • Appointed Nicole House as Assistant Principal, E Academy Rise effective May 1, 2023 at step two of management salary schedule - voting aye: Quintero, Holohan, O'Neill, Renler, Vara

Public comment

Public comment was divided between supporters of LGBTQ+ student Pride Clubs and critics of the district's handling of sexual abuse. Supporters, including Paula Ready, Kathleen Brennan, Samantha Trad, Matt Keeling, and others, praised faculty advisor Dwayne Kellum and advocated for safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, noting that 2 out of 3 transgender youth lack safe home environments. They criticized efforts to conflate LGBTQ+ identity with abuse and scapegoating. Critics, including Tricia Keeling, JB, Jeanette Wilson, Christine Collinsworth, and Erin Stepien, raised concerns about the district's inadequate response to sexual abuse documented in a CBS documentary, citing over 40 million in settlements for sexual assaults. They demanded accountability, transparency regarding complaint tracking, parent notification of child interviews, and questioned board complacency. Concerns included lack of transparency at school sites, inadequate parent communication, and failure to implement accountability measures following a grand jury investigation.

Notable speakers

Michelle Renler (Board Member) - provided committee reports on Redlands Compact Club and Redlands Educational Partnership, Board President/Chair (Speaker_22) - conducted meeting and vote procedures, Pat Kelly (Interim Superintendent) - reported on Optimus Games and activities, Paula Ready - spoke in support of Pride Clubs, Kathleen Brennan - spoke in support of Pride Clubs and faculty advisors, referenced Teamsters union support, Samantha Trad - spoke in support of Pride Clubs as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students, Matt Keeling - connected sexual abuse allegations to importance of sex education and safe spaces, Tricia Keeling - raised concerns about harassment of LGBTQ+ supporters and faculty, criticized outside activists, JB (Retired Firefighter) - expressed concerns about student safety and district protection of children, Jeanette Wilson - advocated for transparency, complaint tracking, and parent notification procedures, Christine Collinsworth - referenced past confrontations with the board, Erin Stepien - criticized board accountability and district safety record regarding sexual abuse

Topics: Redlands Compact Club · Career education · Summer programs (AAA Academy) · Harlem Wizards basketball event · Evening of Appreciation/Arts Alive Student Showcase · Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission · Santa Ana River Trail construction · Student Pride Club/LGBTQ+ support · E-sports teams · Mental health fair · Film festival · Sports medicine program · Special needs athletics (Optimus Games) · Teacher appreciation · Education support professionals appreciation · Student expulsion · Sexual abuse in schools · CBS documentary "Pledge of Silence" · District accountability and transparency · Student safety · Faculty advisor support for student clubs