As Redlands Unified School District faces backlash for mishandling student abuse claims, its former HR Director exits with $25,000 monthly—despite allegations she helped enable a culture of silence.
At a Glance
- Sabine Robertson-Phillips to receive $25,000 per month in post-resignation compensation
- She was named in multiple investigations tied to abuse report mishandling
- The district found no formal misconduct but critics say the payout rewards failure
- Federal and state agencies cited systemic negligence at Redlands Unified
- Robertson-Phillips maintains she was scapegoated and denies wrongdoing
The Resignation and Its Aftermath
Sabine Robertson-Phillips, Redlands Unified School District’s longtime HR Director, officially resigned following intense public scrutiny over her role in a widening student sex abuse scandal. Her departure is not without controversy—she secured a severance package including a $25,000 monthly payment, a lump-sum equal to 10 months’ salary, and full compensation for unused vacation days.
Robertson-Phillips had been on paid administrative leave as multiple investigations unfolded, spotlighting failures to act on dozens of student abuse reports. Despite a lack of criminal charges or proven individual misconduct, critics are incensed by the lucrative terms of her exit.
Watch a report: Redlands HR Director Exits Amid Scandal – Redlands Daily Facts.
A Question of Ethics and Accountability
Between 2017 and 2020, the district failed to adequately address 74% of 35 reported abuse cases—an alarming statistic revealed by federal and state probes. Although investigators stopped short of indicting Robertson-Phillips, reports by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office for Civil Rights concluded the district protected known abusers for decades.
Attorney Stephen Larson defended her exit agreement, stating, “The district explicitly acknowledged it had not found any misconduct by Dr. Robertson-Phillips.” Still, public outcry has only intensified.
Critics Push Back on Payout
Attorney Morgan Stewart, who represents several survivors, took a sharply different view. “The testimony from the police department was clear—she was culpable in covering up sexual abuse,” Stewart said. “Investigations support the conclusion that Redlands Unified has protected abusers for over 20 years.”
Many argue the payout is a textbook example of bureaucratic shielding, with generous exit packages serving as golden parachutes for administrators presiding over institutional failures. With trust in the district severely eroded, parents and community leaders are demanding policy overhauls to ensure future transparency and accountability.
Seeking Reform Beyond the Headlines
The controversy around Robertson-Phillips’ resignation has become a flashpoint in the broader debate about ethical governance in public institutions. Critics say the case reflects how financial settlements can sidestep public accountability, allowing those in power to exit quietly even as systemic harm goes unaddressed.
Calls for reform continue to grow louder—both inside Redlands and beyond—as communities push to ensure justice for past victims and stronger safeguards for future students.
