September 23, 2025: Pool contracts, a construction-insurance membership, and an hour of public comment about threats

President Michele Rendler opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m. and the board adjourned into closed session a minute later 1. The open session was called to order at 6:04 p.m. 2 and adjourned at 7:20 p.m. 3. The business itself was short and almost entirely uncontested — three contracts for the Redlands East Valley High School pool, a statewide construction-insurance membership, six educational services items, two university agreements. What filled the room was public comment: three speakers on agendized items 4 and twelve in the general period 5 6 7, on subjects running from mandated child-abuse reporting to online threats against a sitting trustee.

🏊 Three pool contracts, and the insurance program behind them

The Redlands East Valley High School pool has been a standing line on this board's agendas for years, and three separate pieces of it came through the business services consent calendar at once. The board approved Amendment No. 1 with Verdantas, Inc. for materials testing and special inspections on the pool replacement project — $69,320.00 plus reimbursables, from Local Construction Funds 8; Change Order No. 3 with Elegant Construction, Inc. on the pool renovation project, Bid 4-25, for $189,622.29 8; and Bid 1-26 for a shade structure over the pool, awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, Western State Builders, Inc., at $156,088.00 8.

The agenda says what the money buys. The Verdantas amendment "covers additional fees for soil testing and observation related to the pool reconstruction, including geologist visits, reporting and sampling", while the change order covers water-main replacement and shut-off valves, ADA concrete panel work and conduit and wire replacement, all tied to unforeseen conditions discovered during the renovation 9. The same calendar ratified an emergency award to Pacific West Construction Solutions, Inc. for a gas-line replacement at Redlands High School 8 — the gas company had found a leak that required a system shutdown, and about 400 feet of line was replaced to restore service 9. The board also authorized disposal of five surplus district vehicles, accepted Bid 1-24 with Lifetime Industries Inc., DBA Parkwest Construction Company, for the Transportation Center's electric-vehicle bus charging stations as complete 8, and rejected claim number 646144 10.

Community Forward Redlands previewed the meeting the day before and listed the same three pool figures, describing the first as "additional soil testing and inspections for the Redlands East Valley High School pool replacement project for $69,320 plus reimbursables" 11.

The single business services action item followed: the board approved the district's membership in the Statewide Educational Wrap-Up Program (SEWUP), a joint powers authority that provides construction-specific insurance 10. The agenda lays out the reasoning: the district wants to establish an Owner Controlled Insurance Program through SEWUP, membership in the joint powers authority costs the district nothing on its own and it pays only when it insures a specified project, and the arrangement is expected to "broaden the pool of potential contractors and also allow greater opportunities to work with local contractors" 12. Asked from the dais what the program actually does, staff described it as "an insurance policy to help protect us against construction accidents", covering contractor faults, accidents or bankruptcies on bond-funded work and added project by project 13. Asked which projects would count as risky, staff pointed to the district's oldest buildings: "if you're looking at renovating a 100-year-old building, there's a lot of unknown in those buildings" 14.

The pool's paper trail runs both directions from this night. In October 2022 an agreement with C Below Subsurface Imaging for utility-locating investigation services on the same renovation, at $15,110.00, was on the board's agenda 15; and a fifth change order with Elegant Construction on the same Bid 4-25 — $63,216.52 in Measure D local construction funds — appears on the agenda for April 14, 2026 16.

🛡️ Mandated reporting, and the comments it drew

The human resources consent calendar carried the item that set the evening's tone: ratification of the confirmation of completion of Mandated Reporting for Child Abuse & Neglect training by all employees, in compliance with AB 1432, for the 2025-2026 school year 5 17. The district's board policy on the subject states that the board "is committed to supporting the safety and well-being of district students and desires to facilitate the prevention of and response to child abuse and neglect", and assigns the superintendent or designee the work of developing strategies for "preventing, recognizing, and promptly reporting known or suspected child abuse and neglect" 18.

All three speakers in the agendized comment period spoke to that item or to the agreements beside it. Michael Paisner expressed appreciation for the amendments added to the Point Loma Nazarene University and Brescia University agreements, saying the changes were acknowledged and greatly appreciated 4. Aaron Fernando spoke on item 13B, pressing that the training be comprehensive enough to equip employees to recognize and act on all forms of abuse or inappropriate behavior involving students, and referring to a prior incident at a board meeting as an example 4. Peter Hall followed on the same ratification, questioning whether classroom discussions of personal or explicit topics such as sexual orientation or gender identity should also be considered inappropriate or abusive, and stating that such conduct should not be protected under the First Amendment 4.

The board then approved both university agreements — an addendum to the clinical experience agreement with Point Loma Nazarene University, effective September 9, 2025 through June 12, 2030, and an addendum to the memorandum of agreement with Brescia University, Inc., effective September 9, 2025 5 17.

💵 Legal fees past a million dollars

Superintendent Juan J. Cabral used his report on compliance and staff training to report that staff had six weeks from the start of the school year to complete mandated trainings, that approximately 2,500 employees including board members completed the training with only 50 outstanding at the deadline, and that while compliance was strong some cases were still being investigated, most involving student-on-student incidents 4. Classroom trainings and video implementations would continue 4.

The cost side was harder. Cabral addressed budget impacts, reporting that the compliance team had expanded from one member to five since the previous year and that legal expenses had doubled from 2023-24 to 2024-25, partly through the use of outside investigators and legal transitions related to DOJ and OAG oversight, while emphasizing that student safety remains the district's top priority despite rising costs 8. A question from the dais asked directly how the training and compliance work had hit the budget; the answer on the recording is that bringing in an outside investigator roughly doubles what the district would otherwise spend on an investigation 19.

That oversight is not abstract. In May 2024 the California Office of the Attorney General announced a stipulated judgment with Redlands Unified over what it described as critical and systemic shortfalls in the district's response to allegations of sexual harassment, assault and abuse of students; under it the district is "subject to a minimum of five years of oversight by the court and Attorney General and is required to undertake wide-ranging reforms" 20.

In his closing comments Cabral put numbers to it, reporting that fees increased from about $400,000 in 2023-24 to over $1 million in 2024-25, largely due to personnel separations, compliance with the stipulated judgment and DOJ/OAG oversight, and explaining that outside investigators and a change of legal teams — switching to F3 — contributed to costs but were necessary for compliance 3. On the recording that same exchange puts lawyer fees at about $400 an hour and describes a meeting with the state oversight office at least once a month, with the district's lawyer present every time 21.

Bea Hamilton made the same arithmetic the core of her comment, urging President Rendler to reconsider the district's current legal expenditures and noting they had exceeded $1 million this fiscal year, more than double the previous year 7. "Right now, they are over $1 million for this fiscal year, more than double what they were the previous year", she told the board 22, before criticizing the influence of external groups in shaping district policy and encouraging the president to work with fellow board members to roll policies back and prevent further legal costs 7.

🗣️ Twelve speakers in the general comment period

Eriko Grossman commented that teachers deserve free speech protections and criticized Candy Olson and Awaken Redlands for prioritizing ideology over child safety; she said the district had expanded LGBTQ+ opt-outs beyond books and called it an overreach, and described inadequate special education staffing, reporting parents' frustration and her own experience assisting students while urging the board to provide proper pay and resources 5.

Michael Paisner returned with the evening's sharpest exchange. The minutes record him commenting that Ms. Olson crossed the line by making libelous false accusations against Together for Redlands on social media, contrasting that with the group's nonviolent stance; noting her attempts to push an extra board meeting for a "culture war" letter to the Supreme Court and her social media attacks when opposed; thanking Ms. Rendler for not spending district funds on the extra meeting amid a $20 million budget shortfall and rising legal fees; and inviting Rendler into productive discussion with Together for Redlands 5. On the recording: "Last night, Ms. Olson crossed the line. She made a libelous false accusation against Together for Redlands on social media", and "Last week, Ms. Olson publicly stated she wanted to have an extra board meeting to send a culture war letter to the Supreme Court" 23.

That dispute has been covered well outside this room. KVCR reported in August 2025 that calls for Olson's resignation were mounting after a series of Instagram likes including racist and antisemitic images was made public, and that the posts were surfaced by "a community watchdog group called Together for Redlands, which has fought against a series of controversial school board policies championed by Olson" 24. NBC News reported that more than 1,500 people had written to the board as part of the same group's campaign calling for Olson's resignation 25.

Speakers on the other side used their time on the group. JB thanked the board for their service, criticized Together for Redlands for spreading hate and making threats against board members, affirmed support for Trustees Olson, Wilson and Rendler, and pledged to stand with the board to protect students 6. Dale Broome criticized Together for Redlands and specific members for consistently using inflammatory language — including calling conservative parents and school board members Nazis, fascists, racists and perverts — and alleged harassment tactics such as doxing, filing false reports, spreading misleading social media content and intimidating community members, claiming these actions incite threats and violence 6. The minutes name no one on the receiving end of those allegations, and neither does this page.

Valerie Zavis alerted the board to violent and threatening messages on social media targeting Candy Olson, attributed to members of Together for Redlands, and highlighted specific posts that promoted harm or celebrated the death of a public figure 6. She argued that such rhetoric dehumanizes individuals, creates intimidation and increases the risk of real-world violence; urged the board to condemn all threats against any member; and criticized Michael Paisner for failing to engage in civil discourse despite attempts to communicate respectfully 6. After reading several of the posts aloud she said that "speech that threatens or advocates for violence crosses the line and cannot and should not be permitted" 26.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk ran through two comments. Peter Hall criticized public and social media reactions to it, arguing that many misrepresented Kirk as racist or homophobic, claiming he supported gay marriage and adoption by gay couples, asserting that some people including members of Together for Redlands celebrated the assassination privately, and arguing that consequences from private employers do not violate free speech 6. Greg Brittain — printed in these minutes as Gregory Brittain — thanked trustees for their courage in serving despite harassment and personal attacks, criticized what was described as a campaign of smears and hostility from political opponents, and warned that inflammatory rhetoric such as labeling others Nazis could inspire violence, citing Kirk's assassination as an example 7.

Aaron Fernando, back for a second turn, read Martin Niemöller's 1946 poem about the rise of the Nazi Party and public complicity 5, then argued that marginalized communities and transgender people in particular are being scapegoated by the Trump administration and the Republican Party, urging the board to stand up for the transgender community and warning that failing to act threatens everyone 6.

Dr. Kimberly Hillyer criticized the board for previously limiting community voices and failing to challenge divisive, racist and homophobic policies 6 7, and expressed concern that recent policies censor books, erase marginalized voices and perpetuate systemic racism, urging accountability and highlighting harm to Black, Latino, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized students 7. Chris Clautice acknowledged the reduced intensity of public comments compared to prior months, criticized efforts to prohibit age-appropriate discussions of human sexuality in schools, and urged the board to provide students with comprehensive, realistic education 7.

One speaker used her three minutes on band season. Katherine Appleby — printed in these minutes as Katharine Applebee — invited the board and superintendent to the RHS Preview of Champions and the Citrus Valley Classic, provided schedules and competition etiquette, encouraged support for the RHS band program through concessions or donations, and requested that the student highlight at the December 2 meeting feature the drum majors and band directors from all three high schools 6.

🪑 Board and superintendent comments

Jeannette Wilson reported on the RHS mural contest and a tour of Angel's Closet, requested that the Superintendent address inaccurate statements about legal costs, and expressed sadness about online threats toward a board member while urging the community to stop spreading lies 7. She told the board she was "so saddened by our community stooping so low to make threats and threatening comments online about another board member that their political beliefs should easily be cause for them to be killed" 27.

Candy Olson acknowledged frequent false accusations against herself, refuted claims of undermining a colleague and running a candidate against them, and stressed the danger of lies leading to potential harm; she also praised a site visit and its student leaders and commended Angel's Closet for providing students with clothing, prom attire and other essentials through counselor referrals 7. "I don't want anyone on this board to be harmed physically. We all deserve to be safe, and we all deserve a voice, even if I disagree with them", she said 28.

Michele Rendler thanked the community for attending and supporting events, dismissed false accusations and emphasized not giving credibility to lies, acknowledged the college fest, praised homecoming games and middle school sports opportunities, highlighted site visits with students and staff, encouraged support for school arts programs, welcomed new staff members and affirmed the suggestion to include band directors and students in a future board meeting 7 3. "When people lie, I don't give them any credibility", she said 29.

The district's own governance handbook sets out the standard the evening kept circling. Board members commit to treat "fellow board members, the Superintendent, staff, students, and the public with courtesy and respect, even when (and especially when) we disagree", and to "model the civility and professionalism I expect from all RUSD staff and students in person and online" 30.

Cabral closed on students: visits to Orangewood, Beattie ASB and the Rev Black Student Union, where students discussed school experiences, needs and fundraising efforts such as the HBCU trip; plans to expand visits to other high schools and middle schools; an invitation for board members to join site visits; and upcoming Superintendent Awards on September 30 plus band performances at all three high schools 3. On the recording, the Black Student Union students asked whether the district would match the money they are raising for a tour of historically Black colleges and universities 31.

📋 The rest of the calendar

Educational services consent carried six items 10: 15 Virtual Enterprise students from Citrus Valley High School to a December trade show at San Diego State University; 80 fifth-graders from Cram Elementary to Three Oaks Outdoor Science School in April 2026; 56 fifth-graders from Mentone Elementary to the Catalina Island Marine Institute; acceptance of a $165,540.00 Carl D. Perkins career and technical education grant supporting programs at Citrus Valley, Redlands East Valley, Redlands and Orangewood high schools; out-of-state professional travel; and an agreement with In-N-Out, not to exceed $17,291.25 from Local Control and Accountability funds, as a first-quarter reward at Cope Middle School for students meeting school-wide expectations through a new Talon Ticket initiative 10. The agenda explains the initiative as real-time feedback on behaviors tied to Cope's SOAR values, targeting tardiness, cell phone use, dress code compliance, respect and responsible campus behavior 32.

That last line was the one piece of routine business to draw sustained discussion, and the minutes record only the approval 10. The recording carries several minutes of questions from the dais — what students who meet the standard later in the year would receive, and whether Local Control funds could pay for that too. Staff answered that the money is the school site's own Local Control allocation, that the site had encumbered its funds for the rest of the school year so other events and opportunities would not be lost, and that the district would generally not want to see this much spent on an incentive 33. Human resources consent also approved volunteers and field trip chaperones for the 2025-2026 school year 5.

The meeting had opened on ceremony. President Rendler called a moment of silence for past RUSD School Board Member Janet (Jan) Korfmacher, who served the board from 1983 to 1995 and died on July 30, 2025 at the age of 90 2. The student highlight was the three-time CIF champion Citrus Valley Cheer, led by Coach Sydney Shreve and represented by cheerleaders Rachel Stockham, Katelyn Chau, Taylor Cobb and Quinn Johnson, who also led the Pledge of Allegiance 2. In closed session the board had acted on two classified management appointments — Richaun Hendricks as Coordinator I, Behavior Analyst and Crystal Perazzo as Secretary III, Confidential, both effective TBD at Step 5 of the Management Team Salary Schedule 1 — and Rendler reported and welcomed both in open session 4.