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Board of Education — July 9, 2024

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The Redlands Unified School District held a board meeting that included the approval of three new management-level appointments: Davey Belmore as Assistant Principal at Cope Middle School, Joshua Admatic as Technology Services Manager, and Rudy Wilson as Assistant Superintendent of Compliance. The meeting featured extensive public comment focused on two main issues: objections to the district's recognition of Pride Month via social media and website, and commendation from student leaders regarding mental health resources available on school campuses. The board also discussed the comprehensive list of 49 holidays and recognitions promoted throughout the school year, with debate centering on the appropriateness of Pride Month celebrations.

Key decisions

Approved agenda with flexibility (unanimous)
Approved minutes from June 11, 2024 meeting (unanimous)
Approved appointment of Davey Belmore as Assistant Principal at Cope Middle School, effective date TBD, Step 1 of management salary schedule (unanimous, closed session)
Approved appointment of Joshua Admatic as Technology Services Manager, effective July 10, 2024, Step 1 of management salary schedule (unanimous, closed session)
Approved appointment of Rudy Wilson as Assistant Superintendent of Compliance, effective date and step TBD (unanimous, closed session)
Approved consent items 13A through AE including mental health service partnerships (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 1 (2024-2025) for Community Facilities District 2001-1 annual special tax (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 2 (2024-2025) for Community Facilities District 2006-1 annual special tax (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 3 (2024-2025) for Community Facilities District 2016-1 annual special tax (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 4 (2024-2025) for Community Facilities District 2021-1 annual special tax (unanimous)
Approved educational consent items 15A through F including field trips to Hawaii, Catalina, and Oregon (unanimous)
Adopted Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools annual report and funding (unanimous)
Approved educational service action items 16B through 16D (unanimous)
Approved items 17A through AS (unanimous)
Established Assistant Superintendent of Compliance position and approved job description, effective July 10, 2024 (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 36 (2024-2025) approving employment of Cassidy Coy Yama, Alexandra Molina, and Alexander Warwick with credential waivers (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 37 (2024-2025) approving certificated employee employment based on Commission on Teacher Credentialing approval (unanimous)
Adopted Resolution 38 (2024-2025) approving certificated personnel employment based on credential requirements (unanimous)

Public comment

Public comment was extensive and divided. Multiple speakers expressed strong objections to Pride Month recognition, arguing it is inappropriate for schools to promote LGBTQ+ content to children and citing concerns about grooming, mental health risks, and religious values. Speakers called for removal of Pride Month celebrations and challenged board members by name to disavow the content. In contrast, four student speakers from Redlands High School and Redlands East Valley High School spoke in support of school mental health resources, commending the district for providing counseling services, wellness centers, and on-campus clinicians that have significantly helped students dealing with mental health challenges. One speaker representing a counseling service provider commented positively on the students' articulate presentations. The comment period reflected significant community division on LGBTQ+ inclusion policy.

Notable speakers

Davey Belmore - New Assistant Principal, Cope Middle School, Joshua Admatic - New Technology Services Manager, Rudy Wilson - New Assistant Superintendent of Compliance, Speaker 17 - Public commenter, objected to Pride Month promotion and cited specific examples of materials from June 29 Pride event, Speaker 15 - Public commenter, called for board members to renounce LGBTQ+ activist activities or resign, Lawrence Hebron - Public commenter, questioned wisdom of celebrating homosexuality and cited mental health studies, Susan McCarley - Public commenter, criticized sexually explicit material and grooming concerns, Jeanette Wilson - Public commenter, advocated for focus on educational content and other cultural celebrations, Beatrix Williams - Incoming 12th grader, praised mental health resources at Redlands High School, Lava Falabi - Incoming 12th grader from Redlands East Valley, praised wellness center and on-campus clinician, Riley Guillen - President, Mental Health Advocate Club at Redlands High School, thanked board for mental health resources, Nayada Modro - Vice president, Mental Health Advocate Club at Redlands High School, Roger Umansky - CEO, Citrus Counseling Services, commented on student speakers, Superintendent Juan Cabral - Presented comprehensive list of 49 holidays and recognitions promoted by district, Board Member (Speaker 07) - Defended Pride Month as promoting positivity, tolerance, and acceptance; noted 30 languages spoken in district homes; emphasized importance of students seeing themselves represented

Topics: Administrative appointments and personnel · Pride Month recognition and social media promotion · Student mental health resources and services · Holiday and recognition calendar · Arts and music funding · Community Facilities Districts and special tax assessments · Credential requirements and teacher employment · Field trip approvals · LGBTQ+ inclusion and curriculum · Public safety and police relations · Cultural diversity and representation