DOJ: Redlands Unified meets most court-ordered reforms on sex abuse response

REDLANDS, Calif. — One year into a court-mandated overhaul of its sexual harassment and abuse response system, Redlands Unified School District has met the majority of its obligations under a five-year agreement with the California Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, according to a new compliance report released May 19, 2025.

What it matters: The DOJ found the district “substantially compliant” with 61 of the 63 required provisions in the stipulated judgment adopted in June 2024. This is the highest possible rating for compliance. The court-enforceable agreement followed a multi-year investigation that uncovered serious failures by the district between 2016 and 2023 in how it handled reports of sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination.

How the District is fulfilling its obligations

The report noted that Redlands Unified exceeded expectations in several areas, including launching a centralized tracking system, revising board policies, increasing training for students and staff, and offering mental health support and compensatory education to affected students.

The district also conducted anonymous climate surveys and formed a School Climate Advisory Committee to gather feedback.

The changes and policies were implemented under the leadership of the Assistant Superintendent of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Rudy Wilson, appointed in July 2024.

Area for improvement: Delays in resolving hundreds of complaints

The two areas where the district fell short relate to timeliness and documentation in open investigations. According to the DOJ report, Redlands Unified received 1,140 formal complaints from students and families since July 2024, with nearly half involving allegations of sexual harassment, assault or abuse.

As of May 19, 2025, nearly half (47%) of all cases, both open and closed, allege sexual harassment, assault or abuse under either the UCP or Title IX.

More than half (54%) of the 180 open cases involving sexual misconduct remained unresolved beyond the state’s 60-day timeline, and the district failed to obtain the legally required extensions in those cases. DOJ officials said they were “seriously concerned” by the delays and emphasized that timeliness will be weighed more heavily in future reviews.

"We understand that each case represents a student or family navigating a difficult experience, Superintendent Juan Cabral wrote in a June 5 statement. "We are working diligently to ensure that responses are timely, thorough, and respectful of all individuals involved."

Staffing and system improvements underway

To address a surge in complaints and meet the terms of the Stipulated Judgment, Redlands Unified School District hired additional staff in December 2024 and again in April 2025 to support the Assistant Superintendent of Compliance.

Cabral said these efforts are part of a broader goal to rebuild trust and create a safer environment for students.

“We are committed to resolving these gaps swiftly,” Cabral said. “Compliance is a foundational step. Our broader aim is to foster a culture where students feel safe, respected, and heard.”

Among 21 staff-to-student cases, the California Department of Justice found no issues in the district’s handling of 20 cases. One case involved the May 2025 arrest of a temporary special education teacher at Citrus Valley High School for child sex abuse. The district terminated the teacher on June 2 and is cooperating with law enforcement while conducting a broader internal investigation to identify any additional victims or failures to report.

The DOJ praised the district’s “strong efforts to comply,” noting that a rise in reported complaints reflects improved access and growing awareness among students and families.

Looking ahead

District officials said they plan to continue hiring additional staff, improve follow-through on reports, and increase outreach to help families understand the complaint process. The DOJ will continue monitoring Redlands Unified’s progress through annual reviews and monthly meetings.

“We recognize that rebuilding trust takes time and sustained effort,” Cabral said. “We will continue to listen, act, and improve.”