W e e k l y RIALTO RECORD
March 19, 2020
Vol 1 8, NO. 27
Rialto City Council declares local emergency in response to COVID-19 By Manny B. Sandoval
www.iecn.com
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n emergency meeting was held in Rialto on March 12 when Rialto City Council announced a local emergency in response to the coronavirus. Although at the time of the meeting no residents within city limits had contracted the virus, City Council was adamant towards being proactive in protecting constituents in the community and beyond.
Special Edition on the Coronavir us Pandemic: Jus t t he Fa ct s
“Let’s all be very diligent, helpful and observant in this space. This is the time for us to look at each other, be kind and understand that we are all in this together. Do not racial profile or give anyone a sense of not being wanted or belonging,” said Mayor Deborah Robertson. During discussion, council recommended residents utilize air purifiers in their home. COVID, cont. on next pg.
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Social gatherings will be limited and or cancelled through at least April 30.
MANNY B. SANDOVAL
Board of Education votes to close down Rialto School District, breakfast, lunch provided to students via “Grab & Go” ba gs By Maryjoy Duncan
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List of public closures Pg. 3
School closure dates Pg. 4
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he Rialto Unified School District Board of Education held an emergency meeting on Monday morning, March 16, to consider adopting a resolution that would allow RUSD Superintendent Dr. Cuauhtémoc Avila the authority to close the district to ensure and protect the welfare and safety of the community in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Board members voted unanimously in favor of the motion; non-essential personnel will not be required to report to work and placed on paid leave. Before board members went into closed session Lisa Lindberg, president of Rialto Education Association, and RUSD educator Tobin Brinker expressed concerns about teachers reporting to school sites during the closure. “During this crisis you must also consider your employees and their families, our members have legitimate concerns about their loved ones and personal cir-
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RUSD
RUSD Superintendent Dr. Cuauhtémoc Avila conducts an emergency principal Google meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 17 to provide details of “Grab & Go” meal bags for students during the closure. cumstances,” Lindberg noted. “Just as (RUSD Board member) Mr. Martinez has chosen to selfquarantine himself from this meeting this morning, our members have the exact same concern.” Martinez participated in the meeting remotely.
According to statements read by Brinker teachers were concerned about their safety and that of their families for fear of exposure to the coronavirus. “Requiring teachers to report to campus defeats the entire purpose of closing schools in the
first place, there are many teachers who fall under the at-risk category or are caring for family who are at risk,” Brinker read. “It is imperative that teachers are allowed to work from home and shelter in place - it’s the only responsible thing to do for our RUSD, cont. on next pg.