Rialto board VP calls for special meeting after accountant’s arrest
RIALTO >> The Rialto Unified School Board won’t be holding a special meeting to discuss the issues surrounding the arrest of accountant Judy Oakes on suspicion of embezzlement — but it won’t be due to a lack of trying by one board member.“I have petitioned board President (Joseph) Ayala repeatedly to call for a special meeting so the Board can collectively discuss this matter and put together a plan of action,” school board Vice-President Edgar Montes wrote in an email Monday afternoon.
Montes said that in order to hold a special meeting, according to the board’s bylaws, the board’s president must call for it. But if he won’t call for it, a majority of the board can, according to board bylaws and the state’s code, Montes said.
So far, neither the board president, nor a board majority, will call for the special meeting,” Montes said. “The reason, I’ve been told, is because law enforcement is already doing an investigation and, essentially, there’s nothing for us to do but wait till the next regular meeting to discuss these matters.”
Judy Oakes, 49, of San Bernardino was arrested at the district’s nutrition services offices at 151 S. Cactus Ave. Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of burglary, embezzlement and grand theft.
Oakes reportedly had a large amount of cash on her when she was arrested, and when her home was searched, more cash and evidence was also discovered, according to Rialto police Capt. Randy DeAnda. An accountant for the district’s nutrition services department, Oakes has worked for the Rialto Unified School District since 1993, according to a seniority list of non-teaching employees posted on the district’s website. She was released on $50,000 bail on Thursday, her 49th birthday.
Ayala late Monday said that if there hadn’t been a board meeting already scheduled for this week, “we most definitely would have scheduled.”
“Frankly, I’ve been on the board for five years and this ain’t the first time we’ve had to deal with sensitive issues,” Ayala said Monday evening. “In this case, by waiting until the next board meeting, which is Wednesday, we will have a clearer picture, in my opinion, as to the facts pertaining to the issues.”
But Montes said he believes the district has an obligation to do more, and not just wait for the police and district attorney.
“These allegations are the smoke that is evidence of a damaging fire that has burned, and maybe still is burning, within our district,” he said. “Instead of actively searching out the cause and source of the fire by conducting an internal review and investigation, those who are responsible for protecting the district, namely the board, have so far been content to let it go unchecked while law enforcement ‘does its thing.’ I don’t think we can afford to continue waiting to act, and to continue to do nothing is a great disservice to the district and the community.”
Fellow board member Nancy O’Kelley has been the only other member in support of a special meeting, according to Montes.
“He was hoping for Friday afternoon or Monday. He did send another email for (Tuesday). He and I feel that it’s very important,” O’Kelley said. “You need a board president to call a meeting, or a board majority to call a special meeting, but we got neither.”
The meeting would be “primarily” to discuss Oakes’ arrest “and the situation surrounding that,” she said.
As of Monday afternoon, board member Joanne Gilbert said she had not heard from Montes.
“I have not a clue what that man does,” she said.
In the meantime, Rialto police are waiting to hear from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office regarding the charges facing Oakes.
“I’m just waiting to hear back from the D.A. today,” DeAnda said.
Police filed the case with the District Attorney’s Office Monday morning, he said.
The next scheduled Rialto Unified school board meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Preston Elementary School, 1750 North Willow Ave.
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