# Rialto Unified School District

Rialto Unified School District is a school district in San Bernardino County, California, serving most of Rialto, sections of Colton, Fontana and San Bernardino, and the census-designated place of Lytle Creek. The Acting Superintendent is Dr. Edward D’Souza. The president of the board of education is Joseph W. Martinez. At its regular meeting on May 8, 2024, the Board of Education took action to place Superintendent Dr. Avila on non-disciplinary paid leave effective immediately. Dr. Edward D’Souza has agreed to serve as Acting Superintendent. Dr. Ed D’Souza knows our District and has over 40 years in education with a demonstrated commitment to student achievement and equity. The Board is confident in Dr. Ed D’Souza’s ability to lead the District at this moment and deeply appreciates his willingness to do so. We know that many of you will have questions. This action, however, is a confidential personnel matter. As a result, to respect the Superintendent's employee privacy rights, the Board, its individual members, and District staff will refrain from providing comment. The Board will provide updates and discuss and address these matters through its designated spokesperson when it is appropriate.
The school district has about 26,485 students, 3,800 staff, and a budget of about $200 million.

## History

The district's first schoolhouse, which opened in 1888, was a part of the Brooke School District. The Rialto school district was formed out of the Brooke district on April 9, 1891.

### Holocaust writing assignment controversy

In 2014, the school district and its interim superintendent were criticized for introducing a writing assignment which asked students to argue that the Holocaust did not happen. This assignment was given to all 8th grade students. Students were provided with a very limited selection of sources, including material from a known Holocaust denial website, but were not allowed access to the internet or other materials that show that this material had been discredited. A follow-up investigation by The San Bernardino Sun found that (contrary to the district's initial claims) at least 50 of the 2,000 students taking the test ended up concluding that the Holocaust did not occur. The district has apologized and promised not to repeat the exercise, and also sent all the eighth graders to visit the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, a museum known for its exhibits about the Holocaust.

## Wrestling

On May 10, 2014 Kolb Middle School won the first ever championship for its district. They beat Jehue Middle School, 36-34.
The undefeated 5-0 Cougars faced Jehue (4-1) on May 15, 2015. Kolb beat them again, by a blowout of 60-15. They were the only school to score double digits on the Cougars all season. The Cougars were the First team in the district to have an undefeated wrestling season, 6-0.

## Elementary schools

* Levi Bemis Bobcats
* J. Calvin Boyd Bulldogs
* Merle S. Casey Cougars
* Sam V. Curtis Colts
* Helen L. Dollahan Dalmatians
* George H. Dunn Dolphins
* Dr. Edward M. Fitzgerald Foxes
* Dr. Ernest Garcia Grizzlies
* Lida M. Henry Hawks
* Elizabeth T. Hughbanks Huskies
* J. P. Kelley Koalas
* A. H. Morgan Mustangs
* Georgia F. Morris Mountain Lions
* W. A. Myers Dragons
* Lena M. Preston Panthers
* Samuel W. Simpson Seahawks
* W. J. C. Trapp Timberwolves
* Nancy R. Kordyak Cubs
* Charlotte Nan Werner, opening July 2008, named after an area mother

## Middle schools

* Warren H. Frisbie Middle School Falcons
* William G. Jehue Middle School Jaguars
* Ben F. Kolb Middle School Cougars
* Ethel Kucera Middle School Coyotes
* Rialto Middle School Tigers

## High schools

* Wilmer Amina Carter High School Lions
* Eisenhower High School Eagles
* Rialto High School (San Bernardino) Knights
* Dr. John Milor High School Mustangs
* Charles Zupanic High School