Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the conclusion of a four-year monitoring period of the Mojave Unified School District (District) by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ's supervision was initiated in 2020 following a stipulated judgment that addressed the District's policies and practices, including complaints of discrimination and retaliation.

The judgment was prompted by findings that the District failed to investigate a report alleging that a principal threatened immigration-related consequences and retaliated against a student and his family for advocating for the student's legal rights. As part of the 2020 judgment, reforms were implemented to protect students and improve the District's investigation and response process for complaints of discrimination and retaliation. These reforms included revising policies, procedures, practice, and staff training.

The District has achieved substantial compliance with the judgment and has agreed to implement an additional plan aimed at significantly reducing disproportionalities in discipline for African-American students and students with disabilities. This plan will be in place for a minimum of two years, during which time evidence of its implementation will be provided to DOJ twice annually.

Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “As the People's Attorney, I am committed to protecting students from discrimination and retaliation. The California Department of Justice and the Mojave Unified School District have worked together over the past four years to successfully implement corrective actions set out in our 2020 stipulated judgment." He further noted that with this agreement, Mojave Unified will take critical steps to ensure no student is subject to discrimination in discipline while providing additional mental health services for struggling students.

Dr. Aguirre, Mojave Unified School District Superintendent expressed gratitude towards teachers, staff, administrators for their dedication towards ensuring legally compliant, non-discriminatory practices within their institution.

In 2019, a DOJ investigation found that the District violated state law with respect to search and seizure practices, special education identification among other areas. Following this, DOJ and the District entered into a stipulated judgment that required significant reforms and a four-year monitoring period.

At the conclusion of the judgment, the District achieved substantial compliance with all terms of the judgment. This included improving procedures for handling student complaints, ensuring alternative education programs meet legal requirements, training staff in records management, addressing potentially inappropriate transfers to county community day schools among other measures.

The District has also committed to implementing a two-year suspension disproportionality reduction plan. This includes comprehensive implementation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), working with a consultant to provide guidance in PBIS implementation, additional mental health and behavioral support staff at school sites among other measures.

Copies of the agreement reached with the district and the stipulated judgement are available online.