Public commenters urge stronger arts programs, library support and protections for students with disabilities; Bloomington warehouse concerns raised

Multiple public speakers at the April 2 Colton Joint Unified School District meeting urged the board to move beyond symbolic recognition and take concrete steps on arts, library staffing, special‑education supports and community health concerns.

Ryan Duckworth, a music and arts teacher, thanked the board for prior resolutions recognizing arts education and urged the district to make arts pathways a sustained TK–12 commitment rather than a short‑term elective. “Let’s ensure that the arts are not just a month‑long celebration, but a multi‑year pathway to success,” Duckworth said.

Katherine Applebee, a teacher librarian at Grand Terrace High School and an officer in the California School Library Association, told the board that CJUSD operates 33 school libraries staffed by 26 employees and asked the board and cabinet to visit libraries during School Library Month to see the work firsthand.

Several residents raised two recurring themes: the treatment of students with disabilities and concerns about large warehouse projects near Bloomington. Beatrice Garcia recounted an incident affecting her child and said, “Autism is not a behavior problem. It’s a neurological difference that requires patience, understanding and proper training,” calling on the district to adopt real training and accountability measures beyond rhetoric.

Miguel Muñoz Valera, a district alumnus and researcher, asked the board to clarify its position regarding the Zimmerman warehouse project adjacent to Zimmerman School and requested a written response within two weeks about the district’s contingency plans if new school funding does not materialize. Tanya Gonzalez of the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice read comments from Bloomington residents asking the district to better inform families about air‑quality impacts and to support community efforts opposing projects they say would worsen pollution in an area residents described as suffering heavy diesel traffic.

Board president Dan Flores invited staff to follow up by phone or email when requested. No immediate board policy changes were announced; the public comment period produced requests for staff follow‑up and community outreach.

What this means

Public commenters combined programmatic requests (more sustained arts instruction, library engagement, training for staff serving students with disabilities) with civic‑policy asks (clarify the district’s position on nearby land‑use proposals and proactively communicate environmental risks). The board directed staff to follow up with speakers as appropriate.