Dear GUSD Community, 

We continue our work to keep you informed of all available updates regarding the investigation into the former agency-contracted assistant, Joseph Vladimir Sanchez. I write today to share that an additional agency partner, Autism Learning Partners (ALP), confirmed on March 10 that it assigned Sanchez for one day as an assistant in a self-contained special education classroom at Lincoln Elementary on April 4, 2023. We are currently not aware of any reports of improper behavior by Sanchez while he was at Lincoln Elementary, and Glendale Police have not reported any additional, alleged victims since our last Community Update sent on February 26, 2026. 

Under the direction of the Board of Education, the leadership team continues its holistic review into all policies, procedures and practices to ensure the safety and well-being of every student on our campuses. 

As of January 7, 2026, the District has implemented updated procedures that require all school administrators to verify the presence of all visitors, contractors, and guests on any campus at any time through a digital check-in and ID scanning system. With these safeguards in place, the District can now quickly confirm campus assignments and visitor records across any campus when needed.

We value your feedback as we continue to review and respond to this situation, and appreciate hearing from parents who have reached out via phone, email, or by attending school meetings. District leadership has begun hosting a series of meetings at several of the schools where Sanchez had a confirmed work assignment. A meeting at Lincoln Elementary is currently being scheduled for a date after Spring Break, and meetings will also be scheduled for all other GUSD families thereafter. 

Please note that any families with information that may assist the criminal investigation of Joseph Vladimir Sanchez are encouraged to reach out to the GPD Assaults Bureau at (818) 548-3106. In addition to the criminal investigation, the District has retained Epstein, Becker, & Green (“EBG”) to conduct an external administrative investigation into the alleged sexual abuse by Joseph Vladimir Sanchez on District school sites. If you have information regarding these allegations, please contact the specially trained investigators at EBG  by emailing GUSDInvestigation@ebglaw.com. 

Support services remain available to all members of our community through our Student Wellness Services Department. Additional support staff will be available at Lincoln Elementary following this update. 

With gratitude for our community’s continued support, 

Dr. Darneika Watson

Superintendent of Schools, Glendale Unified School District

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Previous Community Updates: 
2.26.2026 | Community Update #5: Additional Case in Criminal Investigation
2.19.2026 | Community Update #4: Launch of External Investigation
2.15.2026 | Community Update #3 Regarding Arrest of an Agency-Contracted Special Education Assistant
2.11.2026 | An Update to our School Community 
2.5.2026 | Information Regarding Glendale Police Arrest