Glendale Unified School District

Dear GUSD Families, 

As part of our continued commitment to transparency regarding the arrest of an agency-contracted assistant assigned to GUSD schools, I am writing today to share the latest update. We have continued to cooperate fully with law enforcement, and in the initial phases of the investigation, this meant waiting to broadly communicate the individual’s full assignment history in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. GPD has now cleared the broad release of the list of that individual’s prior assignments in GUSD as provided by the contracting agency, Covelo, who employed the individual. The list reflects the information available at this time, and we will update the community if additional verified information becomes available.

We would not typically send District messages over the holiday weekend, as schools and district offices will be closed tomorrow. However, we did not want to delay providing this information. Please know that the schools where the individual was assigned will have additional support staff on campus on Tuesday to provide assistance. Support also remains available through our Student Wellness Services Department for families whose children are no longer enrolled at those schools. If you have questions about your child’s assignment in regards to this list, please reach out to your principal or to the Special Education Department at the District (818-241-3111 ext. 1205). We also strongly encourage anyone who may have information to reach out to the Glendale Police Department at 818-548-3106.  

Covelo has indicated that the individual was assigned at the following GUSD Schools, within special education classrooms and programs on the indicated dates: 

• College View (summer school): 7/7/25, 7/9-7/11/25; 7/14-7/16/25; 7/18/25

• Columbus Elementary: 12/19/25

• Glenoaks Elementary: 8/16/23-6/5/24; 8/21/24-11/19/24; 12/2/24-5/2/25; 5/7/25-6/11/25

• Glendale High School: 6/10-6/14/24, 6/17-6/18/24, 6/20-6/21/24, 6/25-6/27/24, 7/1-7/3/24, 7/8-7/12/24, 7/15-7/16/24; 12/15-12/18/25

• La Crescenta Elementary (summer school): 7/8/25

• Horace Mann Elementary (summer school): 7/3/25, 7/17/25

• Marshall Elementary: 11/20/24-11/21/24

• Monte Vista Elementary: 5/5/25

• Rosemont Middle School (summer school): 6/16-6/18/25, 6/23-6/26/25, 6/30-7/1/25

*Additionally, the individual was also contracted through an agency, California Respite Care, via the Lanterman Regional Center at Wilson Middle School in the afterschool child care program from 8/20-9/25/25

We understand that each new piece of information may bring renewed emotions and distress, and we want to reiterate that support is available to help families process this information.  

As we continue to review, evaluate, and strengthen our policies, procedures, and practices in response to this situation, please know that we are listening and have heard your requests for more clarity. We will soon be scheduling community listening sessions to provide space for thoughtful conversations and to gather feedback from families. We also encourage you to attend or watch the livestream of the upcoming board meeting on Tuesday, February 17, where the Board will review proposed policy updates focused specifically on strengthening student safeguards. 

We remain committed to communicating with care and transparency as we move forward together.

Dr. Darneika Watson
Superintendent, Glendale Unified School District