The Rialto Unified school board has unanimously approved an employment contract for the district’s new superintendent, Alejandro Alvarez, who begins his new job on Dec. 1.
Alvarez, who has served as superintendent at Bassett Unified School District in La Puente since 2020, will succeed interim Superintendent Judy White, who was appointed by the school board in February to fill the post until the a permanent schools chief could be hired. Board members had fired her predecessor after nearly a year of turmoil over allegations of fiscal mismanagement in the Nutrition Services department.
White commissioned a forensic audit of the department in March that has not yet been completed.
Under his employment contract, Alvarez will earn a base salary of $356,000, along with an annual $5,000 doctoral stipend and a $600 monthly vehicle allowance, board President Stephanie Lewis announced during the board meeting Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Alvarez, who was not immediately available for comment on Thursday, has nearly 30 years of experience in public education, most recently serving as superintendent of Bassett Unified since November 2020. He previously served as deputy superintendent at Compton Unified School District and as associate superintendent for the Fontana Unified School District, where he began his career as a teacher.
Rialto Unified serves more than 23,000 students in about 30 schools and employs roughly 3,500 employees.
Board members praised Alvarez’s experience and commitment to excellence in statements Thursday.
Evelyn Dominguez said Alvarez embodies “the core values, vision and commitment” essential to the district.
Board President Lewis called Alvarez an “academically forward-thinking leader.”
And board member Dakira Williams said Alvarez brings a “wealth of knowledge, relevant experience and a deep commitment to student success.”
“I am confident that he is the right leader for this important season in our district’s history,” she said.
