News Update

Fontana Unified superintendent resigns amid investigation into school police detective

Five-year Fontana Unified Superintendent Randal S. Bassett resigned abruptly last week amid an administrative investigation into allegations that Fontana School Police Det. David Wibert acted violently and inappropriately with students, the Daily Bulletin reported.

The Fontana Unified Board of Education voted July 20 to approve Bassett’s resignation agreement “for the purpose of retirement,” according to the Daily Bulletin. His retirement package includes 11 months of salary and benefits, plus medical benefits for eight years; he was making $250,000 a year in base pay and $328,231 in total compensation as of 2020, according to Transparent California.

Wibert was up for a promotion in April when his fellow school police officers sent a letter to Bassett accusing Wibert of threatening students, carrying brass knuckles while on duty, slashing students’ bicycle tires and hitting students over the span of 10 years. The letter also alleged that the incidents were reported to superiors by other officers, but in each case, the complaints were either ignored or determined to be unfounded, the Daily Bulletin reported. Complaining officers believe the conduct was swept under the rug because of Wibert’s and his family’s influence on Fontana Unified’s administration.

Wibert has been on paid leave since early April.