An Update to Our School Community
Dear GUSD Families,
We know that the information shared with our community last week has been deeply upsetting. We recognize the fear, anger, and concern many families are experiencing, and we want to acknowledge how difficult this moment has been, particularly for parents and caregivers who entrust us with the care of their children each day.
Our greatest responsibility remains, first and foremost, with the safety and well-being of our students. We take our continued responsibility to review, evaluate, and strengthen policies and procedures in response to this situation very seriously. Our focus is on doing the work required to strengthen safeguards, and that work is underway. We are committed to being transparent and to sharing what we have done, what we are doing, and the very important work ahead. Please understand that we are also working within the boundaries of an active law enforcement investigation and encourage anyone with knowledge to contact the Glendale Police Department (GPD).
What We Have Done
Immediate and Continued Cooperation with GPD: Immediately following the report of misconduct at Columbus Elementary in December, the District contacted law enforcement and cooperated fully with GPD’s investigation. This was the only report of misconduct by Sanchez brought forward to GUSD. Any additional allegations (such as those at Glenoaks Elementary School) were a result of the police investigation following that report and arrest. Sanchez never returned to any GUSD campus following any reports of misconduct. We will continue to cooperate fully with Glendale Police as they continue their investigation and update the community as appropriate.
Regulation Review & Implementation: The District has and will continue to review any and all policies and procedures, and is committed to continuous improvements to help maintain a safe environment for all. Policy updates in the space have included the adoption of Board Policy 4119/24/4219.24/4319.24 “Maintaining Appropriate Adult-Student Interactions” in 2019, which was in the process of receiving another update at the next board meeting (more on this below). In addition to outlining expectations for appropriate and ethical adult interactions with students, this policy also requires employees, contractors, and volunteers to sign a professional boundaries acknowledgement form. Additionally, toward the end of 2025, we revised the toileting protocol (“Restroom, Diapering, Toileting and Mechanical Lift Protocol”), which now requires a second adult to be present in the bathroom when a student requires assistance. This protocol was updated on December 17, 2025, and distributed District-wide, as well as to contracting agencies, on January 6, 2026.
Comprehensive Background & Reference Checks: As noted in my previous letter, the District requires comprehensive employee background checks prior to employment, which involve fingerprinting and clearance through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We also participate in the DOJ’s “subsequent arrest notification” program, which provides ongoing alerts should criminal information become available after hire. The District requires thorough screening and compliance standards from all agency partners as well. In addition, the District requires every GUSD applicant to provide two to three references, which are checked prior to hire.
Required Annual Training: Every year, all District staff are required to complete mandated reporter training, which focuses on recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect, and outlines the process for reporting any concerns immediately as required by law. This training helps ensure that any suspicion is taken seriously and reported to the proper authorities without delay. We also require employees to complete anti-harassment training, and all management is required to complete ethics training.
Encourage Body Safety Conversations: We understand that student safety is largely enhanced by multiple groups working together to protect children. The district has various materials about “Body Safety” on our website, and this is available to all families in order to encourage conversations about safety and personal boundaries in their own homes. We continue to add resources to this page, and are working to provide direct translations, in various languages, for the items listed on the page. For now, Google Translate tools are available to translate our website pages as they have always been.
See Something, Say Something: We continue to encourage anyone in our community to report concerns, suspicious activity, rumors, or threats directly to their school office, submit a tip online, or call the District’s phone tip line at (323) 999-6062. Tips are automatically forwarded to multiple district leaders and immediately assigned for follow up from the appropriate parties. Tips can be submitted anonymously. Please don’t hesitate to report anything that doesn’t sit well with you.
What We Are Doing & What Comes Next
Active Policy Updates & Continued Review: At the upcoming Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 17, the Board will review various proposed policy updates, including Board Policy 4119.24/4219.24/4319.24. Staff, volunteers, and authorized vendors will be given additional, clear directives regarding their responsibility to maintain professional boundaries and protect students from inappropriate conduct/sexual abuse. In addition, they will be required to attend additional training and sign an annual confirmation that they understand their responsibilities. We are also in the midst of procuring an independent, wholesale review of our existing child protection policies, programs and protocols, and will share more on the findings and proposed updates in the future.
Reviewing Potential Background Check Expansions: GUSD is currently in discussions with additional vendors that may enable us to obtain deeper insights beyond criminal records in order to help enhance employee screening as much as possible. This includes reviewing database information beyond California for employment history and non-criminal concerns reported to other states. More information will be shared soon.
Specialized Staff Training: We have added an additional, specialized training session for all Special Education staff to take place during the previously scheduled staff development day on March 30. The training will be led by industry leaders in the space and will focus on professional boundaries with students, expectations, and protecting students from inappropriate conduct. Moving forward, this will be an added component of annual training requirements along with Mandated Reporter Training.
Strengthening In-House Staffing Capacity: The District is increasing its efforts to fill its special education assistant staff positions across the District. This will enable the District to rely less on agency-contracted assistance.
Investigation: In parallel with the law enforcement process, the District is planning its next steps for conducting an investigation at the appropriate time, consistent with legal requirements and without interfering with the ongoing police investigation. More on this will be shared soon.
We recognize that trust is built through communication, action, consistency, and care. Our work will continue beyond this moment. We are grateful for the commitment, advocacy, and engagement of our families, and we remain focused on ensuring our schools are places of safety, dignity, and support for every child.
If you have any questions about the District’s policies and procedures, please reach out to publicinfo@gusd.net.
Sincerely,
Dr. Darneika Watson
Superintendent, Glendale Unified School District