RUSD notified of potential civil lawsuit 

Press Release --- Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 3:50 p.m. 

REDLANDS, Calif. – A new law recently enacted by the state of California (AB 218), which went into effect January 1, 2020 – extends the statute of limitations for reporting and filing claims related to the sexual abuse of minors. It affects churches, youth organizations, public schools, and other entities.

Using this new law, lawyers representing three former Redlands Unified students have informed us of their intent to file a civil lawsuit against the District seeking financial damages for abuse by former teacher Sean Lopez that occurred in 1999. Lopez was convicted nearly 20 years ago of 60 felony counts of child abuse and is currently serving out his 74-year prison term. Our sympathies go out to the victims of Sean Lopez. His acts were despicable, and we are truly sorry that these individuals have been carrying the burden of that abuse more than 20 years later.

In the Redlands Unified School District, the safety and well-being of our students and staff continue to be a high priority. We launched our new ACT Now initiative in 2018 to encourage staff and students to come forward to report suspicious or inappropriate behavior. If they “See Something, Hear Something or Sense Something,” they are to alert Child Protective Services and law enforcement. The ACT Now initiative includes the adoption of a new Adult to Student policy defining appropriate boundaries, launched an awareness campaign in every classroom in every school, added school resource officers, trained staff to identify signs of grooming behavior by predators, and provided detailed and enhanced campus monitoring. ACT Now is hyper-focused on prevention, awareness, early intervention as well as integrated internal reporting protocols and physical and structural safety. 

We continue to encourage the entire school community to be vigilant in maintaining the safety of our students and recognize the signs of sexual abuse and harassment and report any suspicions as soon as they occur.

For more news and notifications about the Redlands Unified School District, visit our website at www.redlandsusd.net and follow @RedlandsUSD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

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Redlands Unified recognized with distinguished California education honor

Press Release --- Friday, December 13, 2019 at 7:30 a.m.

Redlands Unified recognized with distinguished California education honor

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Redlands Unified School District (RUSD) and its Academic Case Carrier (ACC) program were selected as one of 57 recipients of California’s leading educational honor, the Golden Bell Award at the annual event held at the San Diego Marriott Marquis.

The Golden Bell Awards, celebrating their 40^th year, were presented by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) to promote excellence in public education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance practices.

“We are truly honored and humbled by this coveted recognition,” said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “This award validates the ‘heart work’ that our ACCs take part in each day. They are truly making a difference and changing the trajectory for our students.”

The Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of education programs and governance decisions supporting these programs that are necessary to address students’ changing needs.

“The ACC program is led by a team of individuals who go above and beyond to support the foster, homeless and other ‘at-promise’ youth in all RUSD secondary schools,” said Dr. Peter Lock, coordinator of elementary counselors and ACCs. “They work with students and families to not only help students graduate from high school, but also determine and build the post-graduation path that students most want to follow.”

Academic Case Carriers work in partnership with academic counselors to help determine the needs and track the progress of the students. They help to facilitate tutoring services, collaborate with teachers and staff, and help students look to the future – whether that is college, a technical career, or the military. 

The ACC program was established in 2016 as a part of the District’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

This program supports the District’s firm commitment to achieve equality through equity as outlined in the multi-year vision plan RUSD 2025: EXCELLENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS by offering focused and comprehensive support to the its most at-risk secondary students.

The main goals of this program include:

• Ensuring the student is in the best position to earn a high school diploma
• Assisting with and connecting the students to, post-high school career and educational opportunities

• Connect students to school, District, and community resources
• Work with families, educational rights holders, parents and guardians regarding academic and support strategies
• Ensure important service providers are included in school meetings
• Follow up on special education services and modifications (when and where needed)

For more news and notifications about the Redlands Unified School District, visit our website at www.redlandsusd.net and follow @RedlandsUSD on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

(L-R: Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, RUSD Board President Cristina Puraci, ACC Diane Baker, ACC Adam Sipes (behind), Coordinator Dr. Peter Lock, ACC Julie Homutoff, ACC Ruth Sotomayor, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ken Wagner (behind), Counselor Jon Best)

(L-R: Row 1 – ACC Julie Homutoff, ACC Diane Baker, Board Member Michele Rendler, ACC Diane Baker, Board Member Patty Holohan, RUSD Board President Cristina Puraci. Row 2 – Counselor Jon Best, ACC Adam Sipes, Coordinator Dr. Peter Lock, Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, Board Member Alex Vara)