September 9, 2025: closing the 2024-25 books, and three items that came off the agenda

Two presentations framed this meeting: an update on Measure D construction and the district's final 2024-25 unaudited actuals. A public hearing on textbook compliance drew seven speakers, two more public comment periods followed, and three items left the agenda without a decision. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. 1.

💰 The 2024-25 books close

Kirtan Shah presented the 2024-2025 Unaudited Actuals Report, summarizing district financial activity for the year ending June 30, 2025. It showed revenues of $349 million, expenditures of $367.3 million and an ending fund balance of $92.9 million, with higher spending on salaries and benefits and higher state and federal revenue as the key variances, alongside restricted and unrestricted balances, reserves, and commitments for textbook adoptions and pension costs 2.

The presentation set that against the previous year and against the June estimate. The district began 2024-25 with $111 million in fund balance and had estimated in June that it would close at $91.2 million on $346 million of revenue and $366 million of spending; revenue came in about $2.1 million higher than that estimate 3. Shah did not soften the shape of it: "In 23-24, we had a surplus on a way to 111. In 24-25, we had a deficit of almost 20 million. We went from 111 million to 92 million." 4

Asked what had caused it, he pointed to the end of one-time pandemic money and the staffing it had paid for: "Because of COVID, we got a lot of money during COVID time. We hired a lot of people. We did a lot of things. So I think we just need to right-size ourselves." 4

The report is the annual statement of receipts and expenditures that Education Code 42100 requires every district to approve and file, and the agenda notes the figures still have to be audited by the district's independent audit firm, Eide Bailly 5. The item did not stay on the consent calendar: it was moved out of Business Services consent and renumbered as a Business Services action item 6, and the board then adopted the Final 2024-2025 Unaudited Actual Financial Report as a standalone action, authorizing Deputy Superintendent Jason Hill to sign 7.

Two companion finance resolutions were adopted the same night: Resolution No. 6, 2025-2026, adopting the Gann Limit, and Resolution No. 7, 2025-2026, an acknowledgment of due diligence and authorization to commit funds, confirming projected reserves will be available in the General Fund 8. The Gann Limit resolution is the annual appropriations-limit identification required by Education Code sections 1629 and 42123, and the documentation behind it has to be made public 9.

Community Forward Redlands News previewed the agenda the day before, describing the meeting as one to hear a Measure D presentation and approve Middle School Safety Project agreements and school volunteers 10.

🏗️ Measure D

Ken Morse, Director Facilities Planning, presented the Measure D update: completed and ongoing roofing replacements, safety and accessibility upgrades, playground improvements, shade structures and major renovations at REV High School, Lugonia, Orangewood and other sites, with an emphasis on stewardship of the funds, transparent oversight, and safety, infrastructure and modern learning environments across all campuses 2. The single largest line he described was roofs: "we dedicated $20 million into fixing 13 sites roofs that were on our red list" 11.

The REV pool renovation he showed the board was also on the night's consent calendar, as Change Order No. 2 with Elegant Construction for $48,309.88 8. The project kept generating change orders afterwards: a fifth, for $63,216.52, appears on the board's April 14, 2026 agenda 12.

📚 The textbook hearing and Resolution No. 5

The board opened a public hearing on Resolution No. 5, 2025-2026, the Statement of Assurance on Pupil Textbook and Instructional Materials Compliance for TK-12. Seven speakers came forward 13:

• Bea said the Inspire Science textbooks do not meet educational standards and urged consideration of alternatives such as OpenSciEd 13.
• Katherine raised the age of the district's trigonometry text and questioned its alignment with current math standards and the availability of replacement copies 13: "Trigonometry Functions and Applications has a copyright date of 1994, 31 years ago." 14
• Roberto Ceja supported updating STEM and science materials while emphasizing historical accuracy, critical thinking and respect for the separation of church and state 13.
• Eriko supported inclusive materials reflecting diverse cultural, linguistic and racial perspectives, and meaningful engagement with social justice issues 13.
• Doug Houser volunteered his expertise as a retired scientist and mathematician to help review science and math textbooks 13.
• Gregory Brittain warned about declining national and state performance on standardized tests and urged materials that maintain high academic standards 13. He opened with that morning's news: "the NAEP test results nationwide came out today and marked the lowest scores for 12th graders ever recorded" 15.
• Brian, a student, said instruction rewards memorization over independent thought 13: "It's all about memorizing facts, memorizing dates, memorizing the way to write an essay." 16

After the hearing closed, the board adopted Resolution No. 5 for fiscal year 2025-2026 17. That certification is what the district's own instructional-materials policy contemplates: "When the Board determines that standards-aligned textbooks and instructional materials have been provided to all students in accordance with Education Code 60422, it shall so certify." 18

Separately, during community input, Jeff Poggi raised concerns about recent changes to instructional material policies, flagged potential conflicts with Education Code section 60119 and with AP instructional materials, urged the board to reconsider the changes, and raised the potential financial impact on district reserves 6.

📋 Three items came off the agenda

Three items on the printed agenda produced no decision on the night:

• Item XVI.k, revisions to the job description for Academic Case Carrier, was removed from the Human Resources consent calendar 19.
• Item XVII.a, an addendum to the clinical experience agreement with Point Loma Nazarene University, and Item XVII.b, an addendum to the memorandum of agreement with Brescia University, were both pulled from Human Resources action items 20.

All three had been raised from the podium earlier the same evening. Katherine Applebee questioned the clarity of the revised case carrier language and possible clerical errors, and questioned assigning school library oversight to the coordinator of diversity and equity without clear library experience, seeking clarification on which staff positions count as "school site librarians" 6. At the microphone she put it directly: "What school library experience does our current coordinator of diversity and equity bring?" 21

Michael Paisner raised the district's projected $20 million budget shortfall and the potential impact of ongoing legal disputes, then turned to the non-discrimination clauses in the Point Loma Nazarene and Brescia agreements, urging the board to ensure protections include sexual orientation and gender identity 6. From the podium: "our budget is decreasing by $20 million" 22.

The rest of the Human Resources action calendar was approved: a memorandum of understanding with the California School Nurse Organization, a revised student affiliation agreement with the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, a service agreement with the San Diego County Superintendent of Schools, and a student teaching agreement with Point Loma University running from March 27, 2025 through August 31, 2028 20.

✅ Consent business, and the one item taken on its own

The Business Services consent calendar carried surveying and underground utility locating for the Middle School Safety Projects from Epic Engineers at $552,750 6, laser scanning and as-built modeling from Tilden-Coil at $90,750 6, an asphalt removal and replacement change order at Beattie Middle School at $39,800, the REV pool change order, an extension of the fresh produce award to Harvest Produce, and payment transmittals totaling $16,566,053.40 8.

Educational Services consent carried CORE literacy coaching at Mentone Elementary at up to $16,800 and Garner Holt lab professional development at up to $15,750 7, a Rapidmooc software and services agreement at up to $18,487.50 7, and a CollegeBoard agreement to administer the PSAT and SAT across the district's middle and high schools at up to $251,184 17. The board approved 19 requests for readmission following expulsion 17 and denied two 23. On the Human Resources consent calendar, items XVI.b through XVI.al were approved with item XVI.k removed 19.

One Educational Services item was handled on its own. Amendment No. 3 with Building A Generation, extending the Family Resource Center Program at Lugonia and Victoria elementary schools, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 7, was left out of the block approval and given its own vote line in the minutes 7.

It was the only item of the night the board debated at length, and the minutes record none of that debate. On the recording, the agreement was challenged from the dais as incomplete: the memorandum referred to an attachment listing the services to be provided and no attachment was there, which made the provider impossible to hold accountable 24. A second objection was that the contract's only concrete obligation, monthly and quarterly summary reports to the district, had not been met the previous school year 25. A district administrator confirmed a mixed picture: the organization was going to Lugonia twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, but had not confirmed support at Victoria and had assigned nobody there 26.

The program carried on past that year. The July 21, 2026 minutes list a memorandum of understanding with Building A Generation to conduct the Family Resource Center Program at Lugonia and Victoria covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 27.

🗣️ Association reports and public comment

Reporting for the Redlands Teachers Association, Stephen Caperton raised increasing incidents of student violence against staff and peers, inadequate staffing of paraprofessionals, a lack of calming spaces, and insufficient training and resources to address safety, and urged the board to take meaningful action to protect both students and staff 28. On the recording: "We have been short-staffed on paraprofessionals for over four years." 29

Liz Brewster-Huerta, for the Redlands Education Support Professionals Association, welcomed members back, previewed negotiations beginning September 17 and a site blitz from September 23 to 25, and described inconsistent support and training and increasing student behavioral issues with limited administrative assistance, emphasizing that staff and student safety are interconnected 28. She put it in one line: "When our employees feel unsafe, our students are unsafe." 30

Jennie Dyerly, for the Redlands Administrative Personnel Association, reported on volunteering at the Redlands Bowl, back-to-school nights, the Believe Walk and a management breakfast series continuing in October 2.

During community input on agendized items, Roberto Ceja returned to argue for materials that build critical thinking across subjects, citing gaps he observes in student skills, and Brian objected to overspending on the REV pool project, the equity of funding across school programs, and budget cuts to student programs 6. His example was specific: "RHS Instrumental Music's transportation budget was cut in half from $72,000 all the way to $36,000." 31

The general public comment period ran almost entirely to the policies the board had adopted over the summer:

• Aaron Fernando questioned whether the board understands the harm done when students feel unsupported, referencing actions and incidents that have made LGBTQ+ students and staff feel unwelcome, and said the lack of response conveys indifference 32.
• Eriko Grossman raised student safety and the board's handling of issues related to sexual misconduct, and urged genuine measures rather than symbolic actions such as book removals 32.
• Chris Clautice acknowledged the district's work on student intellectual and leadership development but warned that recent initiatives and proposed policies restricting certain types of speech could limit intellectual growth and violate free speech principles 32.
• Dale Broome took the other side of the flag fight, expressing disapproval of the Redlands Teachers Association filing a lawsuit over the classroom flag policy, saying the policy reflects long-standing practice and had been fully discussed with RTA and RESPA, and questioning the litigation costs 32. His framing: "This is a common-sense policy that restricts teachers and administrators from pushing political and social agendas on the students" 33.
• Jean Saglam opposed the book ban and the classroom flag policy and urged the board to stop spending taxpayer funds on them 32.
• Michael Paisner, back for a second turn, said teamwork, communication and trust among board members are lacking and urged the board president to address alleged discriminatory behavior 32.
• Bea Hamilton commented on the board's recent first reading of the book policy, raised the influence of certain community and church groups on board decisions, and encouraged the board president to consider reconnecting with the broader community 32.
• Brian Koonce described the effect of reading Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and warned the policy could cut students off from books offering perspectives on race, adversity and identity 34: "It was the first piece of literature I had ever read from a person of color." 35
• Antonio Endicot commented on national test averages and the importance of critical thinking when evaluating statistics, and urged reconsideration of certain board-supported policies 34.
• Sue Heede raised reduced support for programs such as choir, marching band and library access, a lack of responsiveness to public comment, and support for disabled and immigrant students 34.
• Katherine Applebee commended the board president for highlighting positive student and staff achievements, then asked for an update on the internal board governance document and how it will improve board behavior 34.
• Greg Britton commended several board members for their actions regarding book content and educational standards, commented on harassment faced by board members and staff, and encouraged continued focus on raising educational standards 34.

The documents underneath most of that comment

The classroom flag rule is Board Policy 6115, Ceremonies and Observances, which carries a July 8, 2025 revision date: "No flag other than the United States of America and State of California may be displayed on school grounds or in classrooms, unless it is a country, state, or United States military flag used solely for educational purposes within the adopted curriculum." 36 KVCR News reported on August 29, 2025 that the Redlands Teachers Association had filed an unfair labor practices charge against the district over the board's flag ban 37.

The book policy speakers kept returning to had been approved weeks earlier. SBCSentinel reported that the board gave final approval on August 19, over the opposition of scores of community members, to a means of "banning books deemed sexually provocative/explicit or otherwise objectionable from the district's library and schoolroom shelves" 38.

On the governance document, Katherine Applebee was direct: "I would like to know how the updating of your internal governance document is going and how it will improve the board's own behavior to create a safe environment." 39 The archive holds a Board of Education Governance Handbook for 2025-2026, whose Appendix D board self-evaluation survey asks members to rate the board on statements including "We disagree respectfully and focus on issues, not personalities." 40 That document carries its own disclaimer: "This document is a comprehensive template intended to serve as a starting point for the Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) Board of Education. It is not a legal document." 41 Nothing in the archive establishes that it is the document Applebee was asking about, or that the board formally adopted it.

🧭 Board and superintendent comments

Patty Holohan congratulated Redlands East Valley on the opening of the new stadium and complimented the updated shutters 34.

Candy Olson expressed appreciation for increased school security under the new director, citing the arrest of a student with a BB gun, and highlighted an upcoming parental opt-out form for content with religious objections along with plans for a dedicated web page tracking opt-ins and opt-outs 34. She tied the form to the Mahmoud v. Taylor decision 42.

Jeannette Wilson shared observations from recent site visits, noted school spirit at Redlands East Valley's first stadium game, highlighted the Terrier Grounds program for adult students learning work skills, and set improving attendance, math and reading scores as the year's goals 34. Earlier in the meeting she gave the board's only committee report, on the Compact Club calendar, with the steering committee, officers and advisors beginning meetings October 8 and a Fall Mixer on October 30 6.

Michele Rendler reported attending back-to-school nights at Cope, Clement, Redlands High School and Citrus Valley, thanked 665 parents and community members who completed volunteer paperwork, described a CSBA ethics training covering conflict of interest and the Brown Act, and previewed the Redlands League "Cool for School" clothing program for elementary students 1.

Superintendent Juan J. Cabral had passed on his report earlier in the meeting 6, but used his comments to point at student achievement: a graduation rate increase of more than 2% and an 81% pass rate on Advanced Placement exams, exceeding the national average, plus plans to visit all schools to hear student feedback 1. He added from the dais that the district had over 1,400 AP test takers in 2025 43. He also acknowledged Born a Crime, the book a student speaker had described earlier in the evening 1.

🔒 Closed session, and how the evening opened

The board opened at 3:34 p.m. and adjourned to closed session at 4:01 p.m. 44. In closed session it took action to terminate the employment of two classified employees, effective August 29 and September 2, 2025, under Education Code section 45113, with legal notices to follow 44, and to accept the retirement of a certificated employee effective the end of the workday on June 30, 2026, together with the separation agreement in connection therewith 44. No action was taken on the labor negotiator conference or the superintendent's performance evaluation 44, or on existing litigation and student matters 44. Those actions were reported out at the start of the open meeting 28.

The open meeting began with a new standing agenda item. President Michele Rendler introduced the Compact Careers Club and told the public that from now on the agenda will include a section themed to empowering positive moments 28. Avnish Sinha, a Compact Club student, led the Pledge of Allegiance; REV teacher and club advisor Jael Jimenez described the program's impact in teaching career and leadership skills and its revival at REV after several inactive years; student representatives Rachel Daggett, Lilian Peski, Zara Coleman and Avnish Sinha spoke about leadership development, networking, community service and scholarship opportunities; and a written statement from Citrus Valley club president Amariah Yinda highlighted the program's role in building confidence and connections 28. The board then adopted the agenda with flexibility and approved the minutes of the August 5, 2025 Board of Education regular meeting 28.