Murrieta Valley USD's 'Inclusion' Program Gets State Nod

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Murrieta Valley Unified School District is doing an excellent job serving its special education students, according to the California School Boards Association.

During the CSBA's Annual Education Conference held Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 in San Francisco, the MVUSD was one of just seven Riverside County districts to receive a Golden Bell Award.

The Golden Bells recognize innovative programming that improves student achievement and well-being in the state’s preK-12 public schools. The MVUSD's "Inclusion" program took home the award for its efforts to remove barriers for special education students, ensuring equitable education and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

The other Riverside County school districts to receive a Golden Bell this year included:

• Coachella Valley Unified School District for its Academies of Coachella Valley High School (Category: Career Technical Education)
• Corona-Norco Unified School District for its Auburndale in Action program (Category: English Learners/Biliteracy)
• Hemet Unified School District for its Teacher Residency Program (Category: Professional Development and Teacher Recruitment/Retention)
• Jurupa Unified School District for its Dell Student TechCrew (Category: Career Technical Education)
• Moreno Valley Unified School District for its Commitment to Environmental Sustainability program (Category: Climate Change Innovation)
• Riverside Unified School District for its Cafecito, Amigos de RUSD Facebook Live program (Category: Innovation in a Time of Crises)

Additionally, the Riverside County Office of Education received a Golden Bell for its Early Childhood Education University program (Category: Early Childhood Education).

The CSBA's Annual Education Conference also recognizes effective governance and boardsmanship of an individual board member and the important role education journalists play in creating awareness in the community. To that end, Riverside County honorees included:

• Corona-Norco Unified School District trustee Mary Helen Ybarra. She was honored with the Golden Gavel Award as the 2023 Board Member of the Year. She has served on the CNUSD Board of Education, representing Trustee Area 3, since 2014.
• Former education reporter from The Desert Sun Jonathan Horwitz was honored with the Golden Quill Award that highlights the essential role journalists play in increasing understanding of the objectives, operations, accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities related to public schools.

“These outstanding programs in Riverside County schools are making a difference for our scholars and their families inside and outside of the classrooms,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “The innovative thinking and student-focused approach of these award-winning programs are building a solid foundation for our earliest learners, supporting staff and students in teaching and learning, and propelling graduates into college and career opportunities.”

While the MVUSD's Inclusion program received the high honor for its work to ensure inclusion for special education students, the district has come under fire for its treatment of trans students. Read more: Murrieta Valley USD's 'Outing Policy' Denounced By CA Attorney General