Corona, CA – Dr. Sam Buenrostro, the Superintendent of the Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD), has announced his retirement after 26 years of service to the district, including the last five years in the role of Superintendent. His retirement, effective July 1, 2025, follows nearly four decades in public education. However, his exit comes amid a cloud of controversies that have cast a long shadow over his leadership and left the district grappling with accusations of misconduct and legal violations.
While Dr. Buenrostro’s announcement focuses on a sense of “reflection” and gratitude, his tenure at CNUSD has been marked by multiple scandals, most notably involving serious allegations of procedural violations, ethical lapses, and a lack of transparency. These issues have significantly tarnished the district’s public image, raising serious concerns among parents, students, and the broader community.
One of the most significant points of contention during Dr. Buenrostro’s time as Superintendent has been the district’s mishandling of student expulsions. CNUSD has faced criticism for expelling students without following proper protocols, including the failure to obtain a vote from the governing board prior to expulsion, a clear violation of California Education Code. Furthermore, there are accusations that the district falsified key documents related to student behavior and submitted them to public offices, leading to even greater questions about the district’s commitment to transparency and fairness.
In addition to these procedural violations, the district has been accused of failing to uphold students’ rights and due process. Families have reported instances where their children were treated unfairly, and the district’s legal team, particularly attorneys from F3Law, has faced accusations of using aggressive tactics to protect the district’s interests, sometimes allegedly retaliating against families who voiced concerns.
The timing of Dr. Buenrostro’s retirement is particularly notable. It comes as the district faces increasing public scrutiny over its practices, as well as ongoing legal battles stemming from these various scandals. His departure raises questions about the future of CNUSD, particularly regarding how the district plans to rebuild trust and credibility after years of missteps under his leadership.
Dr. Buenrostro’s retirement statement expressed gratitude for his career, citing the district’s “resilience” and commitment to students. Yet, many within the community are left to reconcile these positive claims with the ongoing legal issues and ethical challenges that have characterized his time in charge.
“It has been an incredible honor to serve in a district that exemplifies excellence, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to students,” Dr. Buenrostro said in his announcement, though his tenure has been anything but seamless for many students and their families.
The CNUSD community—comprising educators, students, and parents—now faces a pivotal moment. While Dr. Buenrostro’s departure offers a chance for a fresh start, it remains to be seen whether the district can fully recover from the controversies and the mistrust that have festered during his time as Superintendent.
As CNUSD looks toward the future, the real question is whether the district can repair the damage done to its reputation, restore public faith, and move forward with a renewed commitment to upholding the rights of students, fairness in its procedures, and transparency in its actions.
While Dr. Buenrostro’s retirement marks the end of one chapter in CNUSD’s history, the community now looks ahead, hoping that the next leadership can truly turn the page on a troubling chapter and bring about the change necessary to heal from the past.