Good evening, members of the Riverside Unified School District Board.

I stand before you today deeply concerned about the direction our district is heading. Over time, it has become increasingly apparent that while titles and positions of authority are coveted, the dedication and effort required to fulfill these roles effectively are lacking. We’ve witnessed declining test scores, decreasing enrollment, and a troubling inability to thoroughly question and review staff reports. There seems to be a complacency with mediocrity, a failure to budget responsibly, and a neglect in safeguarding taxpayer money—including lapses in basic accounting and security protocols. Recently, this has culminated in what appears to be unscrupulous and deceptive behavior from the dais, compounded by a reluctance to address critical educational gaps.

Allow me to illustrate with a personal anecdote. A few years ago, my special needs son, Ryan, aspired to become the president of the Inland Regional Center’s Community Advisory Committee while I was serving as the board chair. Recognizing the importance of transparency, integrity, and fairness in leadership, Ryan told me, “Dad, you cannot nominate me or vote for me; that wouldn’t be fair or honest.” We openly disclosed our relationship, and I stepped down from the dais during the nomination and voting process to avoid any conflict of interest. Ryan, demonstrating maturity and ethical insight, immediately informed the group that he was my son. Nothing was hidden.

In contrast, during a recent appointment process, this board seemed to prioritize personal agendas over ethical considerations. The introduction of the idea that board members should have children in the district appeared not only desperate but also inadvertently insulting to the current board president, Tom Hunt, and other former board members who have served honorably without meeting that criterion. It suggests a lack of foresight and respect, undermining the integrity of the board’s decisions.

With the press now inquiring about the board’s actions regarding this appointment process and the potential misrepresentation involved, I urge the board to take immediate steps toward transparency. Specifically, I request the release of:

• The video and transcript of the board meeting held prior to the appointment, particularly the debate and comments on not selecting a candidate who is actively running for election.
• The video and transcript of the board meeting during which the appointment was made, including all interviews and deliberations.
• All communications between board members related to this matter, including text messages, emails, meeting records, campaign meetings and events attended, contributions and endorsements with dates, discussions with Dr. Tweed regarding his campaign and the interview process, as well as any related social media posts.
  

In my opinion, the honorable course of action would be for any board members who participated in or were aware of any unethical conduct to step down. At the very least, the board should agendize a full independent investigation and consider appropriate actions, including censure if warranted.

It’s disheartening that public comments, correspondence, and constructive suggestions often seem to go unheeded. It raises concerns that perhaps too much time is being spent on political maneuvering rather than addressing the pressing needs of our students and community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.