Rialto, CA — With over 100 people in attendance, Rialto Unified School District formally welcomed its new superintendent, Dr. Alejandro Álvarez, during a community “Meet and Greet” on Jan. 14 at the Chavez/Huerta Center for Education, drawing localofficials, educators, parents and residents to celebrate the district’s new leadership.

“We are extremely, extremely excited to have so many people show up on a weekday for this wonderful, historical, momentous occasion for our district, as we officially welcome our new superintendent,” said Syeda Jafri, the district’s communications director, as she opened the event.

Jafri thanked community members and officials for attending, noting that the district serves families across multiple cities.

“This district is a district of choice,” she said.

Several elected officials and representatives were recognized, including Rialto Mayor Joe Baca and staff from the offices of Rep. Pete Aguilar, Assemblymember James Ramos, San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., and Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes.

Board President Joseph W. Martinez told the crowd he was proud of the district’s direction.

“It is just so good to see this crowd, all your faces, always supportive of Rialto and education as a whole,” he said. “And I’m just very proud of the changes that are coming, the changes that have come.”

Board Clerk Dakira R. Williams thanked staff and families for their support.

“Thank you again for everything you have to put up with, everything you deal with, and really for everything that you do for our children,” she said.

When Álvarez addressed the audience, he thanked the board and community for trusting him.

“I do want to first and foremost thank the Board of Education for believing in me and trusting in me with the responsibility of being the district board leader in an equity-driven, student-first approach at the forefront as we move forward,” he said.

He also recognized staff and students who helped organize the evening.

“I also extend my sincere gratitude to the community, the elected officials, their representatives, families who are here in the evening, and our dedicated staff members, including teachers, support staff and administrators,” Álvarez said. “Thank you to the M&O team,including custodial and warehouse staff, for working with the communication team and putting this event together today.”

Álvarez highlighted students in the district’s career technical education programs who prepared food for the event.

“For those of you who don’t know what CTE stands for, it’s our career technical education students,” he said. “I’ve had a chance to eat some of the food, and it was delicious.”

He said he is eager to build relationships across the community.

“I do look forward to building a strong working relationship with everyone who shares the same vision and passion for this community,” Álvarez said. “I know we’ll learn together, we’ll grow together, we’ll accomplish great things together, all for our students.”

In a separate interview with Inland Valley News (IVN), Álvarez said his early experience in the district has been positive.

“So far it’s been great. Everybody’s been welcoming and really making it feel like I’m at home,” he said. “Spending half my careerjust in neighboring districts and being up for so long, coming back, it’s been a great feeling.”

Asked about challenges facing the district, he pointed to finances.

“I think many school districts struggle because they have so many needs,” he said. “For this district, there’s some financial issues that I don’t see a difficulty in overcoming. We’re just going to have to realign our priorities and make sure we’re aligning ourexpenditures with our priorities for student learning.”

Representatives from elected officials’ offices also offered brief remarks.

Maha Rizvi, district director for Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes, said, “On behalf of the senator, we’re so excited to welcome our new superintendent, Dr. Alejandro Alvarez. We look forward to working with you.”

Desiree Ramirez, representing San Bernardino County’s 5th District supervisor, added, “It gives me great pleasure to say congratulations to the superintendent, Dr. Alvarez, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our community. We look forwardto continuing our partnership with you and this amazing district.”

The event, held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chavez/Huerta Center for Education at 324 N. Palm Ave., featured food, music and time for community members to speak directly with district leaders.

As the evening wrapped up, Jafri encouraged guests to connect with Álvarez.

“Please have an opportunity to talk with him and let’s get to know each other and start off 2026 in the most positive way ever,” she said.