Exhibits 1-5 · Public records · Re-redacted by The Ledger

The Records

An internal email chain between a Cope Middle School principal and a Redlands Unified assistant superintendent, dated Oct. 11, 2023, describing a front-desk incident involving Maria Montes - now a candidate for the school board.

Source: Redlands Unified School District records
Date of record: October 11, 2023
Subject line: "[Student surname] Parent Issue"

Why this is published - public-interest statement

Maria Montes is a candidate for the Redlands Unified school board - a body that oversees the very district staff described in these emails. Voters are being asked to place her in authority over the employees, policies, and workplace culture of the district. How a candidate treats front-office school staff bears directly on that decision.

The record is a contemporaneous internal account written by district officials on the day of the incident, not a recollection gathered for publication. We publish it because it is a public record, because it concerns a candidate's conduct toward public employees, and because its relevance to voters outweighs the limited privacy interest in the portions we have kept.

What we have not published matters as much as what we have. The student is a child and is identified nowhere on this page. The family member who came to the school is a private individual and is redacted throughout. A sensitive note concerning the student that appears in the original record has been removed in full, as have all staff phone numbers, email addresses, and fax numbers, and one slur quoted in the record. Staff are identified by role only.

Ms. Montes' account of the incident is not part of this record.

Context - the school board race

The Redlands Unified School District serves roughly 21,000 students across San Bernardino County. Its five-member board of education sets district policy, approves the budget, and hires and evaluates the superintendent. Board members are elected to four-year terms.

The emails below were written a year before the current election cycle, during a period in which the district's handling of parent conduct, student records, and front-office safety were live issues for staff and trustees alike. The assistant superintendent's reply - noting she had spoken to the parent about being "inappropriate to the office staff" - reflects the district's internal handling of the incident at the time.

The Ledger has not independently verified every detail in the chain. The record speaks for itself; readers should weigh it alongside Ms. Montes' public statements and campaign record.

The record - redacted email chain

Exhibit 1 · Redlands Unified email chain, Oct. 11, 2023

Black bars mark redactions

Emails between a Cope Middle School principal and a district assistant superintendent about an incident involving Maria Montes. Her name is published because the record bears on her conduct toward district staff. We removed the student's identity, a family member's identity, a sensitive note about the student, a data-entry excerpt, and all staff phone numbers, emails, and fax numbers. Staff are identified by role.

Sent:: Wed., Oct. 11, 2023, 10:25 AM
From:: Principal, Cope Middle School
To:: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services (cc: district staff member)

Hi –

I just wanted you to know about a situation this morning with the parent of (Maria Montes). I am letting you know because (although this has nothing to do with that), and this is a similar situation to how she treated our staff last year.

Our attendance sub received a call from the mom saying was coming to pick up the student. The sub tried to have her verify her information in Aeries but she just kept saying she was the mom and could have whomever she wanted pick him up. She refused to verify any of the information and when showed up, he was not listed as a contact in Aeries so student was not released to him. Our office manager spoke to the mom and told her to add the information in Aeries; the mom proceeded to call her a moron, used profanity toward her, and called her a [slur] and flipped her off on his way out.

Mom then added in Aeries with the information below:

returned and an assistant principal then released the student to him.

I just wanted to give a heads-up should anything come your way. Thanks.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Sent:: Wed., Oct. 11, 2023, 11:59 AM
From:: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services
To:: Principal, Cope Middle School (cc: district staff member)

I spoke to mom and it has been removed.

I spoke to her about the interaction and let her know that if she is not happy with an interaction that she should discuss with an AP instead of being inappropriate to the office staff.

Don't know if I made any dent but I tried.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Sent:: Wed., Oct. 11, 2023, 12:35 PM
From:: Principal, Cope Middle School
To:: Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services (cc: district staff member)

Thank you!

[Signature and contact details removed]

Exhibit 2 · LGBTQ+ opt-out letter, Aug.-Sep. 2025

Black bars mark redactions

Ms. Montes' opt-out letter citing Mahmoud v. Taylor, and the school's confirmation. The child is not identified.

Sent:: Thu., Aug. 7, 2025, 7:16 AM
From:: Maria Montes
To:: Superintendent Juan Cabral

Good morning Juan,

See attached letter for our review.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Sent:: Thu., Aug. 7, 2025, 3:32 PM
From:: Superintendent Juan Cabral
To:: District staff member (cc: district staff member)

FYI

[Signature and contact details removed]

Letter:: August 2025
From:: Maria Montes
To:: Principal and staff, Bryn Mawr Elementary School (cc: Superintendent Juan Cabral)

On June 27, 2025, the United States Supreme Court held that when “parents assert” a sincerely held religious belief that conflicts with LGBTQ+ themed books or curriculum to which a school exposes their children, the First Amendment requires that the school, at minimum, give parents reasonable notice and the opportunity to opt their children out. Mahmoud v. Taylor, 606 U.S. ____ (2025).

Please be advised that Maria Montes and my family hold the following sincerely held religious beliefs: that biological sex, and therefore gender, is a gift given to us by our Lord; that biological sex, and therefore gender, is immutable, and it is sinful and harmful to teach children that a person can change their biological sex and gender; that divinely created marriage is between a woman and a man; and that teaching children about sexuality is the role of the parent.

The letter requests immediate notification of any “objectional materials” and opts her child out of any book or curriculum involving gender identity - including “gender fluidity, transgenderism, gender non-conformance, gender affirming care, puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or the use of pronouns inconsistent with biological sex” - and human sexuality, including “sexual orientation, or any LGBTQ+ topics.”

It closes: “In the event the school district, its employees, or third parties associated with the school fail to follow the U.S. Constitution and federal law, please be on notice that we will seek legal counsel and all legal remedies to ensure your compliance, as well as obtain damages and attorneys’ fees.”

Sent:: Mon., Sep. 29, 2025, 12:13 PM
From:: Principal, Bryn Mawr Elementary
To:: Maria Montes (cc: school staff)

Dear Ms. Montes,

Thank you for contacting us and for submitting your request to opt your child(ren) out of certain lessons, discussions, storybooks, or other materials due to your sincerely held religious beliefs. We are writing to acknowledge receipt of your request and to confirm our understanding.

Based on the information you provided in your opt-out form, we understand that you are requesting that your child be excused from the following: All LGBT genre. Please be assured that we will make every effort to honor your request as outlined.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Exhibit 3 · Parental notice on gender identity, Aug. 2023

Black bars mark redactions

A letter signed by Heliodoro and Maria Montes to the Cope Middle School principal, and the principal's forwarding note. The child is not identified.

Letter:: August 15, 2023
From:: Heliodoro & Maria Montes
To:: Principal Stephanie Lock, Cope Middle School (sent via email and hand delivered)

WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION if my child ever expresses a different pronoun, name preference or a different gender from his/her biological sex, or requests to be treated as any other identity that conflicts with his/her biological sex.
WE DO NOT CONSENT to my child receiving instruction or information on, or being subjected to discussion concerning gender identity ideology, including but not limited to: transgenderism, gender identity, gender spectrum, gender dysphoria, alternate gender pronouns, pronoun preferences, clothes changing closets, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, gender reassignment surgery, or similar related subject matter.
WE DO NOT CONSENT to my child speaking to or meeting with any adults, teachers, counselors, librarians, other school officials, or third parties on or off campus regarding gender identity or any of the above subjects.
WE DO NOT CONSENT to any manner of my child socially transitioning at school.
WE DO NOT CONSENT to any referral of my child to a counselor, medical or mental health professional, or social worker, within or outside the school, for purposes of discussing or addressing issues related to my child's gender identity.

The letter directs that it be placed in the child's permanent file and “be provided to all people instructing, advising, or interacting in any way with our child during the school year,” and states that “any violation of this notice will be the subject of further action.” It cites the family's faith as “Traditional” Catholics.

Sent:: Tue., Aug. 15, 2023, 4:08 PM
From:: Principal Stephanie Lock, Cope Middle School
To:: District administrator

Hi –

Please see attached and please advise. I have never received a letter of this sort.

Thanks.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Exhibit 4 · Pride flag and pronoun complaints, Aug. 2022

Black bars mark redactions

Complaints about pronoun practices at a YMCA program and a classroom Pride flag, and staff accounts of the follow-up.

Sent:: Wed., Aug. 10, 2022, 3:22 PM
From:: District program director
To:: YMCA of the East Valley program staff

Hi Carlos & Andrea,

I have a LIVID parent on the phone beside herself angry that is asking students to tell her their pronouns. Mom states that she feels this inappropriate and against her Christian values. She is threatening to go to the school board. Can we ask all staff to please not ask this question at this time, until I have had time to confer with the directors in Elementary and Secondary Education?

Maria Montes

[Signature and contact details removed]

Sent:: Wed., Aug. 10, 2022, 4:43 PM
From:: Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of the East Valley
To:: District program director and YMCA staff

I had a conversation with Ms. Montes and assured her this activity was not endorsed by the YMCA and we'll make sure our staff know they may not insert personal ideology or controversial components into the delivery of programs and services.

In an effort to serve all, the YMCA remains neutral in displaying support for divisive issues. We acknowledge that staff, and those we serve, have a wide range of personal opinions. As an organization, we value that diversity of opinions and beliefs within our community.

In this case, we will not ask students to choose pronouns. The question may offend parents and families that have different opinions or values. We will respect the opinions and values of families that wish we use specific pronouns when addressing their children.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Sent:: Wed., Aug. 24, 2022, 9:55 AM
From:: Secretary to a district administrator
To:: Principal Stephanie Lock, Cope Middle School

Good Morning Stephanie,

Ms. Maria Montes called today because she is upset about 's class and classroom. She stated that on the first day of class, asked students what their pronouns are, or what pronouns they go by. Ms. Montes is stating that this is in violation of the PPRA (Pupil Rights Amendment). She is also upset that there is a Pride flag in the classroom. She stated that open house is tonight and if she sees that flag up, she is going to take pictures and make a big deal about this.

She stated that she's tried calling Cope a few times and no one ever answers, that's why she reached out to the DO.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Sent:: Wed., Aug. 24, 2022, 2:43 PM
From:: Principal Stephanie Lock, Cope Middle School
To:: District administrator

Hi –

I reached out to to see if we had any particular, specific policy regarding the pride flags being displayed in classrooms… I called the parent and shared that teacher is Co-Advisor for Pride Club, the flag is small, and I shared the purpose of the flags… and that the use of the pronouns is to be inclusive and to help students feel comfortable. (Many teachers asked for preferred pronouns on the first day of school.)

Mom did not like anything I said, saying it is not part of the curriculum to have a pride flag in class, and is not happy that we allow \u201csupport for gays\u201d to be displayed. It goes against her beliefs and feels her son should be able to attend class \u201cwithout any of that stuff\u201d being waved in her son's face.

The parent told me she is in touch with an attorney regarding the violation of federal law, specifically Pupil Rights Amendment and said she is not the only parent who feels this is inappropriate. She said they are \u201crallying together so be aware because we are coming\u201d and will be at upcoming board meetings.

She threatened to have her son bring a rosary and cross to class to wave around and to say \u201cGod made man and a woman, not gays.\u201d

We could not come to agreement, she said it was nothing against me or the teacher's individual beliefs but she did not want her son exposed to this on a day-to-day basis. We agreed to a schedule change but she still said they would be pushing this further.

[Signature and contact details removed]

Exhibit 5 · Board-meeting videos - public comments and removal clip

Black bars mark redactions

Ms. Montes spoke during public comment at two open Redlands Unified board meetings; those are public video recordings published by the district. The removal clip is sourced separately from @redlandsschoolboardalt on Instagram, posted May 20, 2026; the meeting date has not been verified. She is also listed as a speaker in the official minutes of Oct. 11, 2022. Public-comment excerpts come from an independent automated transcript (intheminutes.org); the video is the authoritative record.

Meeting:: Board of Education - Sept. 12, 2023
Item:: Public comment: parental notification policy
Starts at:: 0:59:28

“Good evening, members. Melissa, I'm here to reply to your ridiculous response to your email regarding the request to place parents' notification on the agenda. … We're not stupid. We can read labor codes. We can read cited laws.”

“… Don't try to interpret Title IX to require affirmation of a child's asserted gender identity. … Unless parents are legally deemed unfit, the safety of the school district have no authority to lie, because that's what you guys are doing, lying to us parents.”

“… Our children do not belong to the government, nor are they union rats, because that's what they are. These union are a bunch of rats. They belong to the parents. With that, I request for the parental notification to be placed to the next agenda. The Latinos are awakening. I'm representing the Latinos here in this district. …”

[Excerpt from automated transcript; check against the video]

Meeting:: Board of Education - Oct. 10, 2023
Item:: Public comment: Pride flag
Starts at:: 1:09:41

“Good afternoon, my name is Maria. Does this flag offend anybody? It represents me, it represents my family who came from the rancho from Jalisco, Mexico. … This flag represents everybody. This is accepted, but once you bring in another flag to represent this flag, you are dividing us. We don't care what your sexual orientation is, what you believe, that's your personal opinion.”

“… It's freedom of speech because of the American flag. Not because of the LGB flag, because the American flag. If you guys are open to keep the other flags, … make sure you bring your Trump flag. Make sure you bring your Mexican flag. … I'm still waiting for your secretary to contact me. Thank you.”

[Excerpt from automated transcript; check against the video]

Meeting:: Redlands Unified Board of Education - meeting date unverified
Item:: Montes removed from the board meeting
Starts at:: Full clip