As I watched the April 11 Rialto school board meeting, I wasn’t surprised to see the board vote 4-1 (board member Montes voting no) to approve payment for board member Joanne Gilbert, who missed the March 28 board meeting where the board voted to issue pink slips to the classified workers.

Gilbert is not the first board member to be paid even though they didn’t attend the board meeting; board member Michael Ridgway last year was paid for two board meetings he didn’t attend.

This board also approved the superintendent’s contract where he is earning roughly $300,000 a year, including benefits, retirement and car allowance.

This board also approved for 32 staff members to attend a leadership training costing the district more than $65,000.

This board also has set policy that each board member has three minutes to give their board report, all because board member Montes is asking questions.

This board also requires anyone who wants to speak during public comment to submit a card no later than 6:45 p.m. before the meetings and it has to be filled out (name, address, etc.), which violates the Brown Act.

This board also seems not to understand the purpose of the Brown Act and would prefer that board member Montes ask all questions behind closed doors.

Residents of the Rialto school district, three board members are up for re-election. Let’s make better choices.

BIANCA URBINA

Rialto