SAUSD-Mijares Corruption Thread, 2007

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– January 6, 2008Posted in: Classic Juice 2

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17 Comments

1. Anonymous

   Posted April 26, 2008 at 1:00 PM

   582. Anonymous said…
   Saddleback’s mobbing tactics currently being carried out by Jones, Carrigg and Gomeztrejo are detailed in the following list. If you are in the ELD or Special Education Departments, you are really screwed. Department heads Diane Lamb and Marilyn Deyoung actively help bully administrators out of their own cowardice. They don’t stand up for their colleagues and should not be trusted.

   1. By standard criteria of job performance, the target is at least average, probably above average.
   2. Rumours and gossip circulate about the target

2. Anonymous

   Posted April 26, 2008 at 2:08 PM

   634. Anonymous said…
   Jumpin’ Lizards, I thought my school, Willard, was fraught with the worst principal. We’re hoping the good news about Russo’s appointment results in getting him transferred outta Willard, for good!

   I know Dan and he’s one of the good guys. Hope he’s up and about and settled in a school that appreciates him.
   1/11/2007 7:12 PM
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   635. Anonymous said…
   Willard’s Bishop in the running against Saddleback’s principal? I feel sorry for you!
   1/11/2007 7:40 PM
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   636. Anonymous said…
   In response to #615′s question .. Mark Mcloughlin’s app has Miguel Pulido listed as a reference. While Richardson recruited Mcloughlin to apply, he could not be listed as a reference.
   1/11/2007 9:39 PM
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   637. About Time! said…
   To:

   623 Anonymous Says:_1/11/2007 11:14 AM

   I will agree with you on this!

   Not all of school police officers are a joke, but most of you are!

   How do you know the # of reports written and not know the specifics?

   If a college like Santa Ana College can publish a detailed yearly report on crime statistics, why is it that you can

3. Anonymous

   Posted April 26, 2008 at 2:11 PM

   647. Anonymous said…
   http://www.sateach.org/January%2012,%202007%20Update%20ll.html

   January 12, 2007

   BARGAINING UPDATE I I

   The District and SAEA met for negotiations today. At that Time , the District largely ignored the Association’s latest proposal and declared that it would seek to go to impasse. SAEA does not agree that we are at impasse.

   Once again, the District is seeking to cut teachers’ compensation in order to cover their own financial mismanagement. In this case, they seek to raise the cost of the Blue Cross PPO coverage (which the vast majority of teachers have opted for) from $45 a month for a family to over $850 a month.

   The Association has been bargaining in a reasonable way based on the data provided by the District. We want to continue to negotiate and find this move toward impasse to be arrogant, insulting and an attempt to rob teachers of their just compensation.

   Further bargaining updates will be sent to you shortly.

   David Barton

   SAEA President
   1/15/2007 8:21 AM
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   648. Anonymous said…
   #626
   Saddleback

4. Anonymous

   Posted April 26, 2008 at 2:13 PM

   675. Anonymous said…
   Today’s announcement that Esther Severy is retiring isn’t too surprising since McFadden’s academic performance is under scrunity.

   The SAUSD parajito also told the OJ that Dr. Wagner, Thorpe Fundamental principal, is retiring as well.
   1/25/2007 11:07 AM
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   676. Anonymous said…
   The latest bargaining proposal by SAUSD admin is that teachers pay over $800 per month for health care.

   I think this problem begs the question: “How are other school districts handling health care costs increases?”
   1/25/2007 7:24 PM
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   677. Anonymous said…
   #676-

   Check out SAEA’s website at the link listed below and access the Bargaining Update PowerPoint Presentation.

   Kudos to the current SAEA leadership for making this information public.

   http://www.sateach.org/index.html
   1/26/2007 6:47 AM
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   678. Anonymous said…
   #657, 676
   To be more accurate, SAUSD is proposing $800. for the most expensive option of health care, PPO. There are Kaisers in the north, south, and east county. They are building a Kaiser hospital in Irvine. There are plenty of HMO choices. It could be that some people chose the most expensive option as it costs the same. It is just human nature to choose what is in ones best interest. If the costs justifies the expense, then PPO will be chosen by that person based on their particular needs. It is not a percentage increase but the actual costs above the cost of a HMO.

   I am not particularly impress by the union going to impasse over this issue any more than two depts. within the district disagreeing. Two years ago from this month our union gave the teachers up with a 4% pay cut on their own volition. Only now is the pay being restored. This was unsolicited by the district. So to read that they care about this or any issue rings untrue. This union the forces you to join them and only one choice at that, having their people count their own election ballots, do not call you or your reps back or return emails, fails to follow-up on any issue you have, and so on, who is on who side. The relationship is just too cozy. The teachers issues are pawns to be exchanged for favors.

   This whole impasse strikes me a charade for your benefit. The union pretends they are fighting for us, and the district pretends they are holding fast. Meanwhile, the deal is probably already done.
   1/27/2007 12:32 PM
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   679. Anonymous said…
   To # 678

   Their are certainly some very solid truths to your comments. Yet the debate seems to be based on whom you choose to believe. For example I’ve been told the district requested impasse while SAEA wished to continue negotiations. The district wanted no part of any counter offers and are intent on elimination of the PPO alternative.

   Again many chose the PPO option based on personal circumstances. Many years ago the PPO option was the only coverage for employees living outside of Orange County under an insurance program called the Orange County PPO. Kaisers were sparse and not a viable option.

   Today things have changed both with coverage and logistics. A significant number of staff live outside of OC and commute from as far as Riverside, Corona, and elsewhere. Possibly HMO’s may be a viable alternative if doctors and hospitals near your homes and families will take those programs. Obviously the availability of coverage as it relates to individual personal circumstances has to be a consideration.

   Regarding the unions. It is obvious the unions all have agendas. Forced closed shop should have removed all doubt from anyone drinking union kool aid. The mantra to justify closed shops was better representation. I have never seen much difference. Unions still agree to lower benefits, defer pay raises, or agree to pay cuts the minute the district takes a hard line and talks about cutting several hundred employees.

   Legislation proffered by unions and so highly touted turns out to be lengthily legal battles in court as soon as the union tries to enforce these laws.

   Districts laugh. They have deep pockets and know they can bog down employee protection laws for years in court at the expense of the employee trying to fight for his or her rights. How many cases have we read about where teachers have had to employ their own attorneys for compensation?

   No I’m not a strong proponent of unions. While they blandly advocate they are the protectors of all, they are not what they purport to be. Of course they do have benefits. You can get discount tickets to Disneyland, Knotts, Seaworld and other leading attractions.
   1/28/2007 9:41 AM
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   680. Anonymous said…
   http://www.districtadministration.com/newssummary.aspx?news_date=2007-01-29&news_id=13549

   Rookie Teachers Need Hand to Become Veterans

   Chicago Tribune
   1/29/2007

   First-year teacher Jennifer Latek had been warned: You’re going to feel isolated when you work in the Chicago Public Schools system.

   Luckily for Latek, the warning proved wrong. Colleagues at Amundsen High share their expertise and encourage her questions. Administrators visit her classroom often, offering praise and constructive feedback.

   In a system where about half of all new teachers flee the district or the profession within five years, Latek plans to stick around. Her experience reflects the findings of a new study analyzing Chicago teacher retention: Novice educators in well-managed schools with supportive colleagues are far more likely to stay than those left alone to cope with the sink-or-swim initiation in urban classrooms.

   Reducing teacher turnover is a top priority in Chicago because the constant churn hurts student achievement, destabilizes schools and wastes money. And like so many of the challenges in the nation’s third-largest school system, fixing the problem requires a commitment at individual schools, not another central-office mandate, to nurture new teachers, the study suggests.

   “In the beginning, you really feel thrown into it, but then you realize that the administrators and faculty are really there to help,” said Latek, 25, a native of Elmhurst. “My bad days are only bad because I feel like I haven’t done my best.”

   The study, released Thursday by the Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago, also concluded that the district’s formal mentoring program does little to retain teachers in chaotic schools and in the most challenging classrooms.
   1/30/2007 8:59 PM
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   681. Anonymous said…
   Teacher turnover and long-term substitutes are counterproductive to academic success. Unfortunately SAUSD has too many long-term subs hired on as a cost-savings measure.

   BRC is window dressing intended to make the stakeholders feel good about getting fleeced.

   BOE needs a wake up call.
   1/31/2007 12:43 PM
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   682. Anonymous said…
   District’s Flyer full of lies.

   January 29, 2007

   It

5. Anonymous

   Posted April 26, 2008 at 2:15 PM

   711. Anonymous said…
   Amazing how readers of this blog salivate over the lies, misinformation, and personal attacks that are thrown on here, until the attack is about them, their department, or their profession.

   Please read this blog with a critical eye for “garbage”.

   And for those of you who will misinterpret my comments, I’m not a supporter of the union.
   2/12/2007 11:18 PM
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   712. Anonymous said…
   #708

   SAUSD is no different than any large beaucracy – it has its share of bad teachers and administrators. The teaching profession is not immune. Unfortunately SAUSD has more than its share of stale administrators and teachers. And the current superintendent is not equipped to handle the problems dragging the district down. The BOE hired a superintendent that has ZERO experience in leading an urban district.

   If there was an Apprentice
   Superintendent show the Donald would have told Russso “you’re fired.”

   You get what you pay for.
   2/13/2007 5:48 AM
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   713. Anonymous said…
   Keeping my eye on the ball. Here’s Monday’s Register article on the tonights board meeting.

   Notice it fails to state how much teachers medical PPO costs will be raised or that Grant was proposed closed previously but the board bent due to parent demonstrations? Possibly this writer needs some enlightenment???

   By FERMIN LEAL
   The Orange County Register

   SANTA ANA

6. Anonymous

   Posted April 26, 2008 at 3:24 PM

   732. Anonymous said…
   #730

   Where is Lewis Bratcher? Why should Russo be the go-to guy on the dysfunction of high schools?

   Someone should name him as an item to be cut from the budget.

   All ELD department heads at the high schools don’t have any classes to teach. In fact some of them have a paid extra period to hang out on their cell phones and talk to family and friends. Talk about a waste of district funds.

   Is anyone paying attention to these wasted monies?

   Art, Claudio, Luis, you have a stake in this sham of a school district. Demand accountability and change.
   2/22/2007 6:50 PM
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   733. Anonymous said…
   BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE!

   We

7. Anonymous

   Posted May 3, 2008 at 5:00 PM

   800. Anonymous said..
   #798

   I see plenty wrong with Trigg’s philosophy …

   “In business, you can raise prices or increase sales,” said Donald Trigg, associate superintendent of business services. “Our only source of revenue is students.”

   That says it all. THE KIDS ARE NOTHING BUT BUSINESS AND REVENUE TO THESE PEOPLE.

   Unfortunately the newest school board member Jose Alfredo “the Immigrant Millionaire” Hernandez espouses the same philosophy. He believes our schools should be run like a business. Businesses are designed to produce profits, I guess Russo, Triggs, Lopez & Hernandez agree profit is good and illegally boosting revenue is one way to add to the profit line.

   I hope the state vigorously pursues an investigation.
   3/28/2007 8:00 PM
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   801. Anonymous said…
   JaguarMomma,

   you said You ask what bunch of (SAUSD admins)decided this new illegal policy?

   Mijares
   Triggs
   Lopez
   Russo

   Mijares is no longer in the district. The Remington fiasco was before Russo arrived.

   Who else can be in charge of this? Bratcher, Stainer, Machado? Who else is in charge of child services and attendance?

   Or do you think that your current group of suspects simplyb took up the ill-fated strategy of 2005?
   3/28/2007 8:42 PM
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   802. Anonymous said…
   #800
   Hernandez has only been on the board for a short period of time. You think that he is part of the problem already?

   It is disturbing to see that this strategy of fraud to keep monies going to inflated and redundant administrative salaries instead of the students who most need the money for services is still happening.

   Since the administrators didn’t fleece the teachers at the rate that they wanted, it seems like they turned their energies towards eliminating instructional assistants, keeping the classrooms overcrowded and just giving into plain old fraud from funding agencies to keep their jobs.

   This isn’t the first time we’ve seen our school district getting attention for fraud. Remember that notorious memo from Saddleback that never was addressed? It was just shoved under the rug and the school has been in decline as could only be expected from a leaderless site.

   Nothing will really change until the city takes on the enthusiasm it did like last year protesting immigration rights. If Santa Ana is going to get serious about education, the community has got to show they care.
   3/28/2007 8:53 PM
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   803. Anonymous said…
   Hello Mr. Hernandez,

   This period of corruption and fraud is going to look terrific on your professional resume. It is taking place on your watch. I am sure future clients of yours might not think too highly of your oversight.
   3/28/2007 9:21 PM
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   804. Anonymous said…
   Anyone see Saddleback’s API scores this year?

   SAD.
   3/28/2007 9:30 PM
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   805. Anonymous said…
   Mijares’s wake of incompetency is just starting to hit shore.
   3/28/2007 9:55 PM
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   806Anonymous said…
   #805
   When does Jane Russo begin to take responsibility for problems?

   Mijares has been gone for well over 6 months.
   3/28/2007 10:25 PM
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   807. Anonymous said…
   #804

   Are Sadleback’s API scores bad enough to warrant Hernandez’s call to close down the school for poor academic performance?
   3/28/2007 10:31 PM
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   808. Anonymous said…
   #806

   Russo has more than two decades of tenure with SAUSD. She was brought in as Deputy Supt. two years ago. This rests clearly on her watch.

   Her comments heard on KABC … it’s a clearical error is utterly astounding. Clearly she is not qualified to lead any school district.
   3/29/2007 12:39 PM
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   809. Anonymous said..
   #807

   You want to know why Hernandez called for closing down Grant? He took the lazy approach. It was an easy way to cut out a couple of hundred thousand dollars. He didn

8. Anonymous

   Posted May 3, 2008 at 9:57 PM

   851. Anonymous said…
   http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/santaana/article_1642695.php

   Here are comments from a Wilson teacher to the Register:

   Thank you for your series of articles about SAUSD. It is unfortunate that SAUSD administration has become so focused on finances that they have lost the moral foundation of looking to provide the best possible educational experience for every student. After reading Ms. Russo’s editorial yesterday, I sent her the following email and sent copies to SAUSD board members.

   Dear Ms. Russo, I can understand your desire to make the current class-size reduction fiasco look like it was all good decision-making with a view to providing the best for our students, but your editorial isn’t factual. You state Our traditional process, had we enough classroom space, would have included forming new classes with a new teacher to continue Class Size Reduction. Because we did not have the classroom space in order to meet CSR requirements, long-term substitutes were assigned to 27 of the District’s 36 elementary schools where classrooms exceeded the 20-to-1 ratio. This is not true. There is PLENTY of classroom space at Wilson. At Wilson, there are several empty classrooms yet we have two substitutes working phantom-style even to this very day! Wilson has the available space and yet no new classes were formed with new teachers. Why? Perhaps you were uninformed. Perhaps our principal never told you of the many empty classrooms at our site.
   Sincerely yours,
   Guy Swentek
   Wilson Elementary

   Ms. Russo nor any SAUSD board members have replied to my email. I believe that SAUSD chose not to hire teachers and tried to use substitutes and spurious documentation to receive the maximum funding while providing less than an adequate education for the affected students.

   Sincerely, Guy Swentek 2nd grade teacher Wilson Elementary
   4/05/2007 12:00 PM
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   852. Art Pedroza said…
   I have had a few requests for a new version of Orange Juice in Spanish, but by utilizing a free service from Google.com, I have been able to translate our entire site into Espa

9. Anonymous

   Posted May 3, 2008 at 10:02 PM

   901. Anonymous said…
   Is the IT dept collecting overtime for monitoring this blog with masked IP addresses and tracking email sent to district employees? The same IT department that allows nudie pictures to be accessed by school computers because someone doesn

10. Anonymous

    Posted May 3, 2008 at 10:16 PM

    974. Anonymous said…
    http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1695210.php

    Santa Ana middle school evacuated for fire
    About 1,500 students sent outside for hour after smoke from air-conditioning fire came in classrooms.
    By DENISSE SALAZAR
    THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
    SANTA ANA

11. Anonymous

    Posted May 3, 2008 at 11:25 PM

    1033. blue coyote said…
    #1029

    Yes, the Mijares regime nurtured and protected the liars, bigots, and integrity challenged educators.
    Apparently Supt Russo’s is
    providing the same protection; that’s why Richardson and Noji lobbied heavily to appoint Russo. Qualfications were not a primary consideration. They wanted a player who would continue the games of rewarding incompetent administrators and view the 60,000 students as revenue making units.

    Russo, her cabinet, board pres Richardson, Dr. Noji and Rosie Avila are lousy stewards of the education of SAUSD students.

    What’s education got to do with it?
    6/09/2007 7:24 PM
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    1034. Anonymous said…
    SAUSD ignores the needs of students because “saving money” is more important than providing the best education possible for students.
    I have been a teacher for over 30 years. The last 8 years have been in SAUSD. I have worked in CUSD, TUSD, and SVUSD. In all those districts, if a teacher believes a student needs to be evaluated for possible special education/RSP services, the child is evaluated within a few weeks. Here in SAUSD, the “process” can take YEARS and still the student may never be evaluated. I believe that SAUSD doesn’t want to provide the best for each student just to save money. They know that one way to avoid students getting additional services is to never allow an evaluation (MDA) in the first place. So, they stonewall teachers seeking student evaluations and put many obstacles/paperwork problems on the teachers hoping the teachers will give up and go away. They get away with it because they know the parents are generally uneducated/under-informed about their rights and the rights of their children. In other districts, with knowledgeable parents, the District would be pressured and/or sued for failure to identify students with special needs.
    I have tried for years to be an advocate for the students and the parents to receive needed educational services. I have never been commended for seeking the best for the students…instead, I have been ignored/bullied by my principal and District officials “listen” but nothing changes.
    We teachers blew it by giving up our salary increases a few years ago when SAUSD cowed us into believing that a possible takeover by “the state” would be catastrophic…NOT! This district needs to be disassembled and rebuilt from the TOP down.
    Students and parents should be the ones served, not six-figure administrators who seek only to justify their positions.
    6/09/2007 8:15 PM
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    1035. Anonymous said…
    #1034

    Amen!
    6/10/2007 6:26 AM
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    1036. Anonymous said…
    Comments at the Register site:

    http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1723859.php

    The SAUSD is really bad school system. My brother is death since birth in 1992. He started attending school in 1995 Taft Elementry they had pur him with the mentally disabled never gave my mother her Parents Rights book till he was transffered to Irvine Venado JR where he was placed with other students in 2004. My brother Did not start Signing till he was in venado. He reading level was a kinder. The SAUSD is now paying bigtime my brother is required to have a one on one aid till he catches up what Venado required from them. Im glad they transffered him there becase he is learning a lot and now he has friends.

    Phillip – Jun 09, 2007 12:42:27 PM

    The board and top administrators don’t care about special needs students. They practice routine discrimination keeping special needs students away from the sites of priviledge that are known as fundamental schools. This kind of segregation is against the law, yet they get away with it year after year. The new facilities have the most accessible campuses, yet NO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND THOSE CAMPUSES. Mr. Bratcher’s choice to warehouse the students is just a slap in the face on top of all the other rights that have been ignored at the expense of special education students.

    sad for the students – Jun 09, 2007 12:39:16 PM

    The Universities look at the students Transcripts and see NO college transfer classes, Because the High Schools do not CARE that a Special Ed student takes these classes. The High Schools THINK that a student can not make it in College, and that is SAD, because they can if they get the support.

    Fact – Jun 09, 2007 11:52:26 AM

    The High Schools give NO support to Special ed students. The students who have learning disabilities, the teachers just want them to get by, and NOT attend a College. This hurts kids that want to go to College. Remember the kids who do have a learning disabilty CAN go to College. They just need the support from OUR Schools. THEY ARE NOT DUMB, they just learn differently.

    Fact – Jun 09, 2007 11:28:06 AM

    Sadly the Register did not print this story in today’s local section. SAUSD is the largest school district in the county and is under state scrunity, yet the Register reserves it resources reporting on CSUD and the recall of Rocco. Here’s hoping the new publisher is more even-handed about content.

    Tommy Girl – Jun 09, 2007 09:52:33 AM

    Sadly Valley High has a one size fits all program. There is absolutely no individualized educational program for the special education students. Some students do well in regular ed classes, but others are giving up because they are in classes without support. There are also issues of staff members that are suppose to be in these classes helping the special ed students but they sit in the back of the classroom doing nothing or never show up to class. No accountability no concern for the students. How sad to have a special ed student taking Algebra 2 or chemistry without help. Sad very sad.

    concerned teacher – Jun 09, 2007 07:40:36 AM

    The Borellis should be commended for taking such a stand on behalf of the kids. Everyone knows SAUSD did this move for budgetary reasons. One only has to look at the segregation of special education students at the other campuses. Treatment of special education students are 2 decades behind all the other districts surrounding Santa Ana.

    God bless the teachers – Jun 09, 2007 06:54:36 AM

    The state should just take over this piece of garbage district. SAUSD is its own SELPA yet its leaders openly discriminate against students who are disabled. Name ONE fundamental school that has students with disabilities. You wont be able to because of the bigots at the top. Dr Noji runs racist asian groups while segregating and punishing the disabled year after year. Its disgraceful.

    More of the same – Jun 09, 2007 05:11:27 AM
    6/10/2007 6:59 AM
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    1037. Anonymous said…
    At the upcoming board meeting, will the Board of Education members get angry at Russo for not informing them of this latest break from educational ethics like they did the last time the-you-know-what hit the fan from the media?

    They are a bunch of fakers. There is no way possible that a competent BoE could be that disattached and uninformed. Noji and Richardson have got to be working on that pretense constantly. They both know what a disservice they’ve done to special needs students.

    They need to reassure the public and the staff that special needs students do count and that they will personally see that special education teachers are heard, respected and supported.

    Santa Ana has a terrible reputation in the area of special education. Mismanagment of special needs is deliberate and well-known.

    Name another district that has top leadership as stingy and cruel towards the most vulnerable students who have teachers who can and do help despite being bullied for doing it.

    Shameful.
    6/10/2007 7:26 AM
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    ——

    1038. Anonymous said…
    Some say one of the reasons Noji plucked Jose Hernandez for the vacanted BoE seat is his professional familiarity with SAUSD’s persistant violation of special ed students rights.

    Hernandez has been a disappoint-
    ment, however the state’s investigation of special ed violations may prompt him not to be so guillable. He may even stop following Noji and Richardson and start asking the hard questions of Supt. Russo and her incompetent cabinet.

    How many special ed students attend Segerstrom HS?
    6/10/2007 6:23 PM
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    1039. Anonymous said…
    http://california.teachers.net/chatboard/topic6843/6.09.07.21.10.45.html

    It is vitally important for teachers to stand up for the children
    who are unable to speak for themselves regarding these educationissues. In many of the due process hearings that I conduct underthe IDEA, I learn that the teachers have been pressured, coerced or even threatened to tow the administration line in denying
    services. In other cases I am sure it is happening, but proving
    that is difficult if teachers succumb to these pressures.

    Teachers should be aware that the Americans with Disabilities Act
    prohibits the coercion, threatening, or intimidating of anyonethat is advocating on behalf of the disabled. If you are a
    teacher that has experienced this, you should bring it to the
    attention of your union, as well as your own attorney. Document
    the behaviors of the administration extensively.

    There was a case of an adaptive phys ed teacher who was retaliated
    against who won $1M against her school district because of the
    retaliation. The broken special education programs cannot be
    corrected without the teachers on the front line taking action on
    behalf of their kids.

    Andrew Cuddy

    http://www.andrewcuddybooks.com

    Author and Attorney, Special Education
    6/10/2007 7:35 PM
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    1040. Anonymous said…
    How many special education students at Segerstrom?

    None. Don’t you know that having a learning disability is contagious? Ask Lewis Bratcher and Ms. Maher.

    SAUSD has been segregating students based on ability and appearance and ethnicity for years. It is illegal and Noji should be stopped from doing it.

    A couple of years ago, it was actually discussed in a serious way to make an entire campus of students who have disabilities under the guise of being able to better serve the population. That kind of thinking is backwards and illegal. Students deserve diverse and inclusive communities of all kinds of learners.

    Warehousing students because they are just units of state and federal revenue is a vile stance that staffers have assumed over the years.

    Hernandez made a success of himself. Maybe he will take a cause up for students with disabilities and with the ones who have yet to learn English. God knows that this district has not addressed these needy groups yet.
    6/10/2007 7:44 PM
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    1041. Anonymous said…
    Sadly, the Register writer, Fermin Leal, reguritates Burrell’s PR crap.

    It doesn’t take an educator to figure out the overcrowding conditions at Valley West could have been alleviated if Lynn Maher, Dr. Noji, Supt. Russo and Dr. Bratcher genuinely wanted a resolution to the problem. The following is an obvious option:

    1.) Segerstrom could have accommodated, for the school year, all Valley West special ed students.

    Of course, that means Ms. Maher would have to tolerate special ed students on *her campus.*

    Leal should spend some shoe leather and find out why Lynn Maher does not want special ed students at Segerstrom and how many students, deemed undesirable by Ms. Maher, have exited Segertsrom. Someone also needs to inform Ms. Maher that Segerstrom is a public school and not her private domain. And finally, Audrey Noji needs to be exposed for cultivating the most aggregious acts of discrimination and segregation. Her manipulative methods of creating an atmosphere of retaliation must stop.

    Noji’s board allies – Richardson, Avila and Hernandez must NOT be re-elected.

    How many students have exited Segerstrom due to Maher’s heavy hand of weeding out students she considers “undesirable?”
    6/10/2007 9:57 PM
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    1042. Anonymous said…
    “Retaliation is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Employers who engage in unlawful retaliation do grave damage, not only to the employees whom they victimize, but also to the general notion that employers should be guided in the operation of their businesses by ideals of fairness and responsible behavior. They give a bad name to employers everywhere.”
    — James W. Johnston, Esq.
    6/11/2007 6:48 AM
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    1043. Anonymous said…
    #1042
    Retaliation is the last refuge for SAUSD in case you haven’t noticed.

    I can’t help but wonder what it is going to take before something radical gets done in that district. There are hundreds of posts here about mistreatment of employees, dozens about special ed mistreatment, and even more about the various illicit goings on among administration at all levels for just about anything you can think of.

    Yet it takes a few teachers from Washington Elementary to out fraud. Then two teachers from Valley to bring special ed students to light.

    The district gives lip service to all these claims. Even when faced with a 2 million dollar penalty, it is still business as usual. Questionable promotions, ignore the law, spend money like a drunken sailor and even have the guts to talk about a bond measure to get more money to mismanage.

    It has been said before and needs to be repeated. This district needs to be taken over by the state and until that happens these rats will continue with the subterfuge, misdirection and ongoing maltreatment both to the students and the employees.

    Get out of your comfort zone and report these problems or just get out of the district for your own sanity.
    6/11/2007 12:30 PM
    —————————-

    1044. Anonymous said…
    http://www.eeoc.gov/types/retaliation.html

    Regarding Retaliation – its ILLEGAL. Big Suprise that SAUSD uses retaliation to bury other illegal activities. Guidelines follow:

    An employer may not fire, demote, harass or otherwise “retaliate”
    against an individual for filing a charge of discrimination,
    participating in a discrimination proceeding, or otherwise opposing
    discrimination. The same laws that prohibit discrimination based on
    race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, and disability, as
    well as wage differences between men and women performing
    substantially equal work, also prohibit retaliation against
    individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an
    employment discrimination proceeding.

    In addition to the protections against retaliation that are included
    in all of the laws enforced by EEOC, the Americans with Disabilities
    Act (ADA) also protects individuals from coercion, intimidation,
    threat, harassment, or interference in their exercise of their own
    rights or their encouragement of someone else’s exercise of rights
    granted by the ADA.

    There are three main terms that are used to describe retaliation.
    Retaliation occurs when an employer, employment agency, or labor
    organization takes an adverse action against a covered individual
    because he or she engaged in a protected activity. These three terms
    are described below.

    Adverse Action
    An adverse action is an action taken to try to keep someone from
    opposing a discriminatory practice, or from participating in an
    employment discrimination proceeding. Examples of adverse actions
    include:

    employment actions such as t
    ermination, refusal to hire, and denial
    of promotion,
    other actions affecting employment such as threats, unjustified
    negative evaluations, unjustified negative references, or increased
    surveillance, and
    any other action such as an assault or unfounded civil or criminal
    charges that are likely to deter reasonable people from pursuing
    their rights.
    Adverse actions do not include petty slights and annoyances, such as
    stray negative comments in an otherwise positive or neutral
    evaluation, “snubbing” a colleague, or negative comments that are
    justified by an employee’s poor work performance or history.

    Even if the prior protected activity alleged wrongdoing by a
    different employer, retaliatory adverse actions are unlawful. For
    example, it is unlawful for a worker’s current employer to retaliate
    against him for pursuing an EEO charge against a former employer.

    Of course, employees are not excused from continuing to perform their
    jobs or follow their company’s legitimate workplace rules just
    because they have filed a complaint with the EEOC or opposed
    discrimination.

    For more information about adverse actions, see EEOC’s Compliance
    Manual Section 8, Chapter II, Part D.

    Covered Individuals
    Covered individuals are people who have opposed unlawful practices,
    participated in proceedings, or requested accommodations related to
    employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion,
    national origin, age, or disability. Individuals who have a close
    association with someone who has engaged in such protected activity
    also are covered individuals. For example, it is illegal to terminate
    an employee because his spouse participated in employment
    discrimination litigation.

    Individuals who have brought attention to violations of law other
    than employment discrimination are NOT covered individuals for
    purposes of anti-discrimination retaliation laws. For
    example,”whistleblowers” who raise ethical, financial, or other
    concerns unrelated to employment discrimination are not protected by
    the EEOC enforced laws.

    Protected Activity
    Protected activity includes:

    Opposition to a practice believed to be unlawful discrimination
    Opposition is informing an employer that you believe that he/she is
    engaging in prohibited discrimination. Opposition is protected from
    retaliation as long as it is based on a reasonable, good-faith belief
    that the complained of practice violates anti-discrimination law; and
    the manner of the opposition is reasonable.

    Examples of protected opposition include:

    Complaining to anyone about alleged discrimination against oneself or
    others;
    Threatening to file a charge of discrimination;
    Picketing in opposition to discrimination; or
    Refusing to obey an order reasonably believed to be discriminatory.
    Examples of activities that are NOT protected opposition include:

    Actions that interfere with job performance so as to render the
    employee ineffective; or
    Unlawful activities such as acts or threats of violence.
    Participation in an employment discrimination proceeding.
    Participation means taking part in an employment discrimination
    proceeding. Participation is protected activity even if the
    proceeding involved claims that ultimately were found to be invalid.
    Examples of participation include:

    Filing a charge of employment discrimination;
    Cooperating with an internal investigation of alleged discriminatory
    practices; or
    Serving as a witness in an EEO investigation or litigation.
    A protected activity can also include requesting a reasonable
    accommodation based on religion or disability.

    For more information about Protected Activities, see EEOC’s
    Compliance Manual, Section 8, Chapter II, Part B – Opposition and
    Part C – Participation.

    Statistics
    In Fiscal Year 2004, EEOC received 22,740 charges of retaliation
    discrimination based on all statutes enforced by EEOC. The EEOC
    resolved 24,751 retaliation charges in 2004, more than were filed
    during the course of the Fiscal Year, and recovered more than $90
    million in monetary benefits for charging parties and other aggrieved
    individuals (not including monetary benefits obtained through
    litigation).
    6/11/2007 1:50 PM
    —————————-

    1045. Anonymous said…
    I’m grateful the Washington and Valley teachers came forward to expose the discriminatory tactics of the district. Unfortunately the crusade of intimidation is in full force and the majority of teachers are scared.

    District parajitos are chirping about the graduation shennigans in play.
    6/11/2007 3:50 PM
    ————–

    1046. Anonymous said…
    There’s no hope until the wicked witch of the west is pryed from the BoE.
    6/11/2007 4:50 PM
    ————-

    1047. Anonymous said…
    Asians Only Club. Exclusive.

    http://leap.org/docs/2007_LDPHE_Brochure.pdf

    Audrey Yamagata-Noji presently serves as the
    Vice President, Student Services, at Mt. San
    Antonio College, in Walnut, CA. She is also a
    founding member and Past President of Asian
    Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE).
    6/12/2007 7:44 AM
    ————————–

    1048. Anonymous said…
    # 1045

    Why are the teachers frightened?

    Why are they not meeting up for happy hour once in a while and exchanging war stories and figuring out ways to get Jane Russo informed about what a bunch of snakes she has surrounding her? Jane seems sincere enough, but she really needs to get a grasp of reality.

    People surrounding her were hired as toadies. Competence, good communication habits and integrity are not necessarily strong points for the snakes in suits she’s stuck dealing with.

    It looks like it bums her out when she finds out that her cabinet and that mob of who-knows-what-their-jobs-are “administrator” fluffies tell her all sorts of fibs and coverups for problems they don’t know how to take care of. And especially the ones that they actually create. Face it -What a boat anchor HR must be around Russo’s neck!

    The only ones who should be frightened are those mean spirited do-nothings that have thwarted good employees as a means of self-survival.

    Russo lives in Santa Ana. Don’t you think that she’d love to have the accomplishment of turning SAUSD around for the betterment of the community and the teachers who work so hard to give the students the best education possible? Teachers have to keep telling her what the problems are so that she can fix them.

    Board Member, John Palacio is very approachable. I know a number of people who call him regularly. Does anyone need his number? I’ll get it posted.

    He gives it out freely and is committed to a much improved school system. He’s a good listener and he is working for all of us who care about a school district that is done hiding the problems for the selfish interests of a few cut-throats who like it in shambles because that fuels their personal agendas.

    How many teachers and students have seen outstanding programs destroyed because a jealous aministrator couldn’t take credit for it? Look at all the principals touting “their” campuses as “their” own. What??? Taxpayers own the schools. Principals don’t get to decide what is best for the entire district – they need to look at the entire educational community and include all kinds of students with all kinds of abilities.

    Who needs Palacio’s number? Let’s help Russo take care of business. She promised “Service & Support”. Let’s give and get that as a community to improve the entire system. SAUSD is not for sissies. Tell the teachers to grow a spine and fight for the kids
    6/12/2007 9:54 AM
    ———————–

    1049. Anonymous said…
    #1048

    Lest we
    not forget Russo has worked in this district for over 20 years. She’s knows the SAUSD dance card intimately.

    The BoE rammed down our throats that Russo was the only one to replace Mijares because she understood the district and community. That’s 100% pooh. Some believe Russo is merely Noji’s puppet and she is in over her head. Russo has been seated for less than six months as Supt. and the state has launched two investigations. Russo has alienated the teachers by issuing a threatening letter challening their right to free speech. Supt. Russo lied to the public when she announced her reasons for expanding the CSR investigation to include the high schools. Russo failed to address the overcrowded conditions at Valley West. And Russo did nothing while all Valley West special ed students were mainstreamed to suit the needs of the district.

    SAUSD cannot afford to train a Superintendent. That may be Audrey’s dream, but it’s not about Audrey’s ambitions. It’s about the 55,000 students that need a competent and experienced Superintendent who has the qualifications suitable for SAUSD.

    Finally, how many students are graduating with a bona fide certificate of graduation this year?
    6/12/2007 11:19 AM
    ———————-

    1050. Anonymous said…
    Here is an interesting exchange of information between posters at the California Teacher Chat board and Author/Attorney for SpEd, Andrew Cuddy. He tells teachers to maintain their moral stance and put up a fight for the students. But when there are flakes at the top who consistently employ retaliation (totally illegal, btw!) and coercion (imoral and wrong) to force teachers into illegal acts, it is no wonder that there is such a revolving door effect of teachers in SAUSD. Russo still thinks that there is nothing out of place with the numbers of educators dropping out of the ranks at SAUSD. HR won’t give her any accurate information either. Here is what Cuddy had to say about Special Ed practices and the teachers who want to do it right. The Bold text indicates Mr. Cuddy’s responses:
    http://california.teachers.net/chatboard/topic6843/6.11.07.10.50.28.html

    > Mr. Cuddy,
    > I know a teacher who has done all that: Extensive documentation,
    > has her own lawyer and has the union backing her. However, a
    > corrupt school district has basically unlimited funds to use their
    > own lawyers to keep this teacher back on her heels with harassment
    > and bully tactics that are not only harmful but illegal as well.

    Because SDs have a taxing base, they always have unlimited funds to
    frivolously defend or bring actions. Parents of students with
    disabilities (and their attorneys) are continually facing this
    obstacle. For this reason, it is important that those who are
    confronting this type of district to unite in their efforts. At IEP
    meetings caring teachers should be supportive of the parent seeking a
    FAPE for the child. A corrupt administration may make the ultimate
    recommendation, but a parent who has the support of the teaching staff
    is much more likely to prevail in the ultimate hearing if supported by
    the teaching staff.

    > She knows her rights. But to bring a lawsuit against the district
    > for all the laws broken would cost an estimated $75,000 -with
    > court fees and attorney costs. There is basically “no one home”
    > at the ADA. There is no law enforcement for special education
    > students who have had their rights run over by corrupt and inept
    > school district officials.

    Our system is designed in a way to allow those impacted by these
    issues to be their own “enforcement” entity. It is also designed to
    allow for attorney fee recoveries, as the attorneys act as “private
    attorney generals” enforcing these civil rights. Unfortunately, there
    are not enough lawyers doing this, and those that are doing it do not
    have the deep pockets to pursue many cases that should be pursued. In
    many cases, citizens spend a lot of time seeking legal representation,
    and sometimes finding a sympathetic attorney is difficult but
    possible. It does take a lot of work

    So what exactly should she do? What
    > kind of attorney is going to take this on contingency? The
    > district has been in the news a number of times for fraud and
    > mismanagement without serious consequences. The evil doing is
    > allowed to happen because the community is fairly weak and
    > impoverished.

    It is not uncommon, as a special education attorney, that a parent
    finds me after meeting with over ten other lawyers. Taking civil
    rights type of litigation is “high risk” lawyering, as the corruption
    often exists at the administrative level too. Many lawyers simply do
    not want to take the risk with a case, can’t afford to take the risk,
    or can occupy their time with fee generating work. I often encourage
    lawyers to take on some of the risk in these type of things, for
    example a retainer that is a percentage of the expected fees with the
    rest taken on a contingent basis. This allows the risk to be shared
    between the litigant and the attorney in some types of cases.
    >
    > You may have read how SAUSD was shortchanging the students in
    > grades 1-3 by creating falsified rosters that claimed that class
    > size was reduced to 20 students per class, all the while the
    > teachers were being made to teach student numbers in excess of the
    > 20 per class. And then the district has the nerve to claim they
    > didnt know what was happening and it was only this year and only a
    > few schools and blah blah blah….. meantime, teachers have had to
    > sign those false rosters for the last 3 years under the threat of
    > coercion and retaliation tactics.

    If a teacher is signing and creating a false public record, that
    teacher is committing a crime. If he/she is asked to do that, the
    person asking him/her is committing a crime. These type of crimes
    injure children, and individuals engaging in that conduct should not
    be in the teaching profession, in my opinion. These crimes need to be
    reported. Teachers who are confronted with coercive tactics to engage
    in criminal activity should bring it to the attention of the union,
    the state education department office of professionals (morals and
    character office), and the local district attorney’s office. If the
    creation of the document is intended to deprive someone of their civil
    rights, for example their right to a FAPE, then it should also be
    brought to the attention of the Attorney Generals Office.

    The only thing that seems to sort of
    > work is all the bad publicity that hits the news media from time
    > to time.

    Publicity causes pressure. A teachers union that is experiencing this
    type of administration should be working together to document
    everything! It is self-preservation. Don’t allow union members to
    get sucked into the criminal activities of the administration.
    Document it, report it if necessary.

    >
    > Several of us have already ordered your books. They come highly
    > recommended and we are hopeful to pass on helpful information to
    > parents. However, your advice really is pretty “ideal” and I am
    > just not sure what realistically that teacher can do to make a
    > difference in a system as rotten as SAUSD.
    >

    In one special ed matter that I was involved in, after a hearing, the
    teaching staff were 100% behind the parent. The administrator and the
    attorney for the SD were trying to railroad this high functioning
    autistic kid out of the district to a special ed program which was
    entirely inappropriate. (The administration just did not want to be
    bothered with this boy.) The staff went to their union, which
    supported them, and every time pressures were placed on them to do the
    wrong thing, they followed up with a letter documenting what occurred.
    I real
    ly believe the SD’s attorney was just a fee churner, who was
    constantly encouraging the bad decision making of the administration,
    as it guaranteed fees for him. (Strangely, I run into this type of
    attorney routinely, and this type of conduct tarnishes all attorneys.)
    The union brought in outside counsel to deal with the situation (a relatively big name firm) which caused both the SD’s attorney and the administration to back down – pretty quickly.

    There is a going to be an explosion of litigation in the special education arena, particularly an explosion of claims attempting to hold individuals accountable. I am saying this based on my sense of
    the terrain and my contacts with other attorneys across the country.

    The recent changes to the regulations and the Arlington and Schafferdecisions guarantee that there will be more litigation, not less. The frustration of the situation is escalating the reaction of parents. Teaching staff should take the “moral high ground” and advocate for the child. Otherwise, they risk getting sucked into tidal wave of
    litigation that I see on the horizon.

    This is a great site for cross-talking on these issues, and I am
    enjoying the input of you all. Thanks.

    Andrew Cuddy
    http://www.andrewcuddybooks.com
    6/12/2007 1:16 PM
    ————–

    1051. Anonymous said…
    Heard that the intermediate school with the lowest test scores in the county (Willard) is not offering summer school this year. Students are being told if they want to go they have to walk to either Lathrop or Sierra. Wonder whose idea this was? How is this “best for kids”?
    6/13/2007 3:14 AM
    ——————–

    1052. Anonymous said…
    #1051

    It’s not about the kids! Once again the BoE caved in about students that failed the CASHEE. These students will walk into the sunset without a meaningless diploma. Thank you Richardson, Noji, Avila and Hernandez.
    6/13/2007 4:47 PM
    —————

    1053. Anonymous said…
    Leapin’ Lizards …. can someone confirm or deny that Richardson publicly slapped down board member Jose Hernandez.
    6/13/2007 4:52 PM
    —————-

    1054. Anonymous said…
    Leapin’ Lizards -

    He did indeed.
    6/14/2007 10:03 AM
    ———————–

    1055. Anonymous said…
    Fencing around Godinez High School and dirty politics bonding Santa Activists of all stripes. The glue holding them together: Intolerance of fraud, deception, corruption and gross mismanagment by “Leaders” who only have their selfish interests in mind:

    http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2007/06/community-leaders-speak-out.html

    http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2007/06/sausd-administrators-cant-stay-out-of.html

    http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2007/06/santa-anas-first-budget-meeting-stirs.html

    http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2007/06/sausds-rob-richardson-leads-charge.html
    6/14/2007 3:15 PM
    ———————

    1056. Anonymous said…
    Richardson b*tch slapped Hernandez because Hernandez is a wealthy and well-spoken Mexican. Hernandez exposed Richardson for the fool he is.
    6/14/2007 4:55 PM
    ———————-

    1057. Anonymous said…
    #1054

    What was said?

    Just curious
    6/15/2007 7:25 AM
    —————————-

    1058. Anonymous said…
    Here’s a little cocktail talk. Counselors met with Drs Bratcher and Machado. One of the counselors challenged them on some issue and made those two extremely upset.

    In a follow up meeting with the counselors, Superintendent Russo looked at some agenda that was generated and given to the attendees and said: We are not going to follow the agenda. I want to know what your issues are. We are going to talk about that.

    The counselors were stunned but optimistic. Of couse they divulged a “few things” but not what the real problems are. They held back because of the constant practice of retaliation by district administration. Anyone who has taken a stand for students or legal practices against district staffers has paid dearly.

    Anyways, if this is really true and Russo actually is interested in getting to the truth of the matter and is not just collecting information to punish messengers, then this district is in better hands than just a year ago. However, the jury is out. Trust will have to be built. Too many good teachers and parents have been totally burned by unrestrained revenge when Mijares was around.

    Many of the counselors were also warm toward assistant superintendent Olasky.

    Maybe Jane Russo was brought back because they thought she was weak and could be pushed around. Maybe she’s sorting out the liars and the inept. Those teachers who refused to sign illegal rosters did so because it was the moral thing to do. Just maybe Jane has morals that will challenge the status quo of SAUSD.

    There was an article about up and coming women in Orange County months back and one of the people Russo most wanted to meet was Barrak Obama. Hardly a dyed in the wool lock-step conservative type. She could have said Rudy G. or Jesus

    Also the tales of angry responses by Bratcher, Machado, Richardson are interesting. Maybe it is not just business as usual.

    Remember, this is just a second hand account, fwiw. Anyone else seeing things and want to report?
    6/15/2007 7:50 AM
    ——————–

    1059. Anonymous said…
    RE: #1058

    One of the frustrations that we have exerienced at our school is that when we as a group or as an individual have wanted to meet with Jane Russo, she has always stated that Juan Lopez and Louis Bratcher will be in attendance. And therein lies the problem. We have always refused to meet with her when those are the terms. The level of trust is not there when it comes to Juan Lopez and Louis Bratcher. Jane, if she is going to encourage honest dialogue and get to the root of some of these problems, has to realize that those of us working with the bullying types of principals have difficulty enough even coming forth to meet with her. To include Lopez and Bratcher in meetings cancels all hope for honest dialogue.
    6/15/2007 8:57 AM
    ——————–

    1060. Anonymous said…
    Lopez and Bratcher have covered for so many unethical practices, that they are particularly dangerous to anyone who would try and inform the superintendent, so you are right to use extreme caution.

    However, her insistence on having those two in attendance might be her way of gauging what they know and how they have addressed long standing problems?

    Several of us have called to take advantage of Russo’s “open door policy” only to be told that there is a formal protocol – site principal, Bratcher, Assistant Superintendent Olasky and then Jane. A big hint to her should be that that system has never been functional and that people want to bypass it for a reason.

    When she appoints an impartial ombudsman to collect truthful but possibly damaging information from employees in order to address those problems, maybe she’ll be taken seriously.
    6/15/2007 11:57 AM
    ———————

    1061. Anonymous said…
    #1058 writes ….

    “Just maybe Jane has morals that will challenge the status quo of SAUSD.”

    Are you referencing the same Jane Russo who sent a threatening and intimidating letter to unions reps about the CSR fiasco?

    Is this the same Jane Russo that was asking teachers to commit fraud?

    Is this the same Jane Russo that lied to the BoE and public announcing regarding the 9th grade CSR troubles?

    Is this the same Jane Russo that’s currently involved in the special ed controversy?

    Is the same Jane Russo that’s overseeing the mere 500 student enrollment at Godinez?

    Yep, Russo has the moral fortitutde to set things right. Listen up pal, she’s
    been supt. less that 6 months. I can hardly wait until spring test scores roll in and the district is placed in Year 3/Program Improvement. Hopefully the state will be directing Jane and the BoE as to what corrective course action to implement.

    Must be nice living in fantasyland.
    6/15/2007 4:24 PM
    ——————

    1062. Anonymous said…
    # 1058 & 1060

    Possibly you have inadvertently outed the problem, or possibly you have outed the fail safe mechanism that Russo is using to; A) Avoid hearing the truth. B) Giving those that she herself are covering for a chance to prepare a defense. Or C) She is honest but just not competent enough to handle this job in the first place.

    Personally, after 2 scams and some questionable promotions, I think she is in it as deep as the rest and owes them her job. I can’t forget she got her boot camp training under Mijares in the first place. In most other districts I’ve been associated with the superintendent has normally had an open door policy and didn’t need any hired guns sitting in to listen to problems. It is a tough call but the proof is in the last six months. The benefit of the doubt philosophy seems long past especially after that scathing memo she sent out to teachers not too long ago.
    6/15/2007 7:32 PM
    ——————-

    1063. Anonymous said…
    #1061

    Most all of the scandalous behavior was in the works before she took over. How much did she know and when? Only she can answer that. She has a mob of practiced liars in place that she has to contend with. As with any new job assignment, there are usually issues with fellow staff that a new employee is not aware of until months if not years later. How is it that she is supposed to instinctively know who is feeding her a line and who isnt?

    And look at the school board. What a mess of non-leaders. Yelling at community members. Telling teachers that when they get to the bargaining table to expect the same rude treatment they receive every time a contract needs to be negotiated -and this time teachers are going to help balance the mismanaged budget by paying hefty health care fees.Getting angry at the Superintendent when one of their cooked up frauds comes out in the news. Double crossing the city out of previously agreed upon land deals, for gawd’s sake!

    As far as the roster fraud, ask elementary teachers at the fraud sites and they will tell you that scheme was cooked up and in action not just this year but at least two years before.

    Who can be sure if Jane Russo is honest or even has what it takes to be an effective Superintendent? She’s been officially on the job for 6 months and she did get decent negotiations for employee pay and benefits despite Audrey’s arrogant threats.

    Everyone in special education heard about the crummy treatment of the special education students at Valley all this year. That was cooked up during the planning of moving students from Valley to Godinez. It was not some afterthought. It was done with Bratcher’s full knowledge as well as members of the board.

    As for the threats against the teacher’s union by Russo. Yes, that is a big disappointment. It is also disappointing that she does not have a huge open door policy with David Barton. He is a board of education member in his own Long Beach Unified, so he knows big district issues. He’s well versed in special education and advocacy, he is honest and he has vast knowledge of the SAUSD problems. Russo shows a lack of confidence to have not made it a priority to get to know the union president better.

    One other thing about the union, though. If the union had been doing its job all along a lot of these problems would not have been allowed to develop to the levels we now see in the news. No one should blame David Barton for this year’s fiascos. However the past president and executive director have been more than complicit with extremely bad district policies and practices.

    Sorry the union leaders got slapped around. But if the union as a whole had been doing the right things, maybe some of this could have been nipped in the bud a long time ago. Also the union immediately countered that they would involve union lawyers in response to Jane Russo’s attacking letters. Finally the union looks like an employee advocacy group.
    6/16/2007 6:44 AM
    ———————–

    1064. Anonymous said…
    #1062

    It’s been tough to witness Bruce Carisle at Century being passed up for promotion to an assignment like a principalship at Valley, in favor of Juan Lopez doing a favor for his friend.

    Sure, sure, we all know that a “committee” selected the new principal. A committee of district dupes for a rigged process of saving that guy’s skin again. Meanwhile, a highly respected, long-time administrator is passed over for a well deserved promotion.

    At some point, Juan Lopez’ poor judgement and fibbing is going to cost the district lots of money, if it hasn’t already. Demoralizing to watch the shenanigans for sure.
    6/16/2007 6:55 AM
    ———————————

    1065. Anonymous said…
    http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1725044.php

    There was plenty of room at Segerstrom HS to accommodate the Valley HS special ed students. The district’s decision to intentionally overcrowd the Godinez facility was designed to benefit SAUSD admins. Their reckless disregard for adequately providing services and facilities is simple. Lynn Maher, Segerstrom principal, does not want any special ed students on the Segerstrom campus. For two years she has denied entrance of special ed students to Segerstrom. And her gal pal Audrey Noji, along with Rob Richardson, Rosie Avila, Supt. Russo and Dr. Brathcer have supported her zeal to keep the Segerstrom campus free of students Maher deems unsuitable.

    Lemon Zest – Jun 11, 2007 08:45:45 AM

    BRAVO to the brave and courageous teachers who filed the complaint on behalf of the students. As a former SAUSD teacher, I am well aware of the culture of intimidation that will befall this duo. My only regret is that their colleagues do not feel it’s safe to stand side-by side with Alice and Tyrone. The Borelli’s should be heralded for their act of courage. They are an exemplary example of what a teacher should be.

    Folksy Local – Jun 11, 2007 11:23:38 AM

    SAUSD is corrupt! All the Valley HS students have suffered. The teachers have to endure lots of mistreatment and negative vibrations. It goes back to Tony “The Snake” Espinosa. Plato

    Plato – Jun 12, 2007 09:35:08 AM

    Plato – Tony “The Snake” Espinosa sounds like a character outta The Sopranos. Was he the mastermind behind mainstreaming the special ed students? That sucks.

    Diana – Jun 12, 2007 01:01:32 PM
    6/17/2007 8:11 AM
    ———————–

    1066. Anonymous said…
    Interesting article on another Superintendent

    Outgoing Philadelphia schools Superintendent Paul Vallas, who will become Superintendent of New Orleans public schools, has this to say about the job: “The first two years you literally get to do just about anything you want. You’re a demolition expert,” said Vallas, who can spin the heads
    of his audience with his incessant speech and ability to rattle off
    details of his agenda.

    “By year four, there’s a lot of people walking around pissed off
    because you’re getting so much credit for it. And by year five, you’re chopped liver.

    “It begins to come apart piece by piece, and it begins with
    micromanagement. You begin to lose the flexibility.”

    Read the full article at
    http://tinyurl.com/2cdvm2
    6/17/2007 1:56 PM
    ————————

    1067. Anonymous said…
    For anyone interested that reads the LA Times this story seems to be of some value as it pertains to corruption in SAUSD. The LA Times story is a 3 page outline of towing corruption by
    the city of Maywood. (Mon 6/18/07)

    In reading the story you will find that the towing company owner in question wined, dined, and paid for trips to Vegas to various members of the city administration. These members included councilmen, police chiefs, and police officers over a number of years. The implication was to obtain exclusive contracts and increases in towage or storage fees.

    As you read through the story, on page two and three you may notice a familiar name. That name is Rick Lopez, former Maywood police chief. You will also find that within the story that this former police chief had his family treated to trips to Vegas and it is even implicated that an amount of $5000 was given to the then Chief for gambling expenses. Obviously the former chief denies that.

    What may slide by is that the story mentions that the former police chief, Rick Lopez now works for a small police department in Orange County. Ladies and gentlemen that small department is the SAUSD School Police department where he works as a patrolman or school resource officer. Reportedly he has also recently been transferred to the traffic enforcement division as a motorcycle officer.

    Is it coincidence after former chief Lopez joined SAUSD police as a patrol officer that a towing and impound program was implemented completely separate from the Santa Ana Police program where the district would begin to receive the income from storage and impounds of arrested drivers? Is it coincidence that the motorcycle division of the school police department began to make record numbers of impounds or storage arrests after the program began? Read the article and decide for yourself.
    6/18/2007 9:08 AM
    ———————

    1068. Anonymous said…
    Anonymous Says:
    6/13/2007 1:18 PM
    The district’s three puppets – Victoria Zaragoza, Rosa Alda and Victor Madrigal took the podium last evening supporting the spiriting away of an additional 12 acres of land. Victoria’s plea was shrouded in *public safety.* It’s regrettable that Zaragoza is willing to whitewash the residents’ concerns about the district renegaing on the MOU. Sources report she never bothered to attend any meetings when this controversial school was before the public for comment.

    Zaragoza kow-tows to district admins and certain BoE members, so she can keep her personal family center at Kennedy. Safety is NOT her priority, she is only concerned about maintaining her family center at Kennedy.

    As far as the two PTA clowns – why aren’t they storming the district offices about the CASHEE fiasco? There are numerous students that will not be awarded an certified diploma. After 12 years of schooling they will walk out with a certificate of completion. This certificate is worthless in today’s job market. Why isn’t the PTA demanding for a CASHEE action plan from the Supt? Dr. Bratcher The BoE?

    Zaragoza, Alda and Madrigal are district puppets. C’mon, people on this blog complain that Richardson has no children in SAUSD schools, well neither does Victoria. Her grandchildren attend SAUSD schools. Why these grandchildren’s mother isn’t advocating for her children is a mystery.

    DELAC needs a new leader. It is not healthy for one person to occupy this position for too long.
    Future leaders should be allowed to come forth and blossom.
    6/18/2007 1:07 PM
    ———————–

    1069. Rick Lopez, SRO said…
    Hey Mr. Anonymous, this is Rick Lopez why don’t say your name if your going to talk about me? It amazes me how some people, like you have time to talk “poison” about something or someone they know nothing about. There’s a saying about don’t believe everything you read especially in the LA Times! Let me clear up some issues for you and the readers of this rag since you like “stirring the pot!”

    1)Yes, its true 10 years ago my wife and I did go to dinner and Vegas with the owner of the tow company (so what!) and obviously I didn’t take any money as to do so would have been immoral, illegal not to mention stupid! The guy in the story making these false allegations is suing the tow owner over a business dispute (sour grapes??)

    2) The checkpoints and towing contract in Maywood were and still are regulated and put in place by the City Council, NOT ME. I did not have any influence, make recommendations or evaluate any city contract (yes, there is proof.)

    3)The traffic program was created due in part, that Maywood, (the most densely populated city in California) had and continues to have a large problem with unlicensed drivers in violation of state law and a very serious threat to public safety. In 1998 A Maywood police officer was killed in the line of duty by an unlicensed, illegal immigrant driver (a tragedy for both the driver and the officer’s family!)The State of California gave Maywood a monetary grant in order to agressively address this very issue and that’s how the checkpoints were born.

    4)While the Maywood Police Department was legally towing cars from people breaking the law, I was the 1st and at the time, the only LA County Police Chief working very hard with then Assembly Member Gil Cedillo and the ACLU on a legistlative bill to get Driver’s Licenses for illegal immigrants so these people would no longer have their cars legally seized by police. (“California Connected” on PBS did a documentary on this. yes, I’m on it.) More proof!

    5) The tow company owner was in business to make money. He wasn’t running a charity. (what a concept!) With me constantly holding press conferences with Sen. Cedillo and lobbying in Sacramento for changes to the Drivers License bill, I was basically looking to hurt his business not help him. My focus was and continues to be public safety.

    6) The towing program was in place here at SAUSD long before I started working here. I did not play any part in establishing the traffic or towing program here. (I’m sure you can find this out)

    7)There is no connection of corruption between myself and SAUSD. The Times story is about Maywood’s issues and I play a part in the story because I was the Chief there 10 years ago when the checkpoint program started.The story is mainly focused on the current city and police officials long after I resigned from there.

    Lastly, there’s nothing juicy here. Let the FBI, LA DA and the State AG do their work. Don’t be so quick to judge me based upon garbage you read in the paper. As you can see the Times only gives you part of the story. They know about everything else I’ve talked about in this blog, but choose not to write about it. Understand this, I’m here because I want to be here. I love my job here and my chosen profession of 23 years. The work conditions here allow me not to work under the high pressure of a L.A. County Chief’s job (I have had other Police Chief job offers and I’ve refused) and affords me the ability to peacefully raise my kids and spend time with my family. Something I couldn’t do before.

    So Mr. Anonymous, leave me alone. I haven’t done anything wrong and I just want to go about my life. I don’t need your negative opinions and doubts cast upon me by people like you who know nothing about me or my life. If you want to talk to me in person, I’m sure you know how to find me. I’ll be happy to clear up your misconceptions about me and my past. My best to you- RL
    6/18/2007 1:34 PM
    ———-

    1070. Anonymous said…
    #1064

    Since Russo is only hiring and/or promoting incompetent admins, your pal Carisle should be thankful that he was not tapped by Russo.

    At the last school board meeting Dr. Christine Anderson was awararded central administrator of the year by SASSA (?). This is the same woman who told teachers that she was the one at fault regarding the revenue boosting scam she developed. Anderson’s pal, Russo covered Anderson’s back by whining to the Register that the CSR paperwork was too detailed and difficult to fully grasp. Yet, Anderson recently defended her doctoral dissertation; graduate
    d summa cum laud, undergraduate; and was hailed as indispenable and a beacon of knowledge for all at SAUSD.

    SAUSD admins are best at slapping praise on eachother when they’ve f*kd up. Mijares rewarded on loyalty and so does Russo.
    6/18/2007 1:37 PM
    ————-

    I 1071. see Dead people said…
    #1067

    Here is the link to the story:

    http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tow18jun18,1,2466132.story

    I see Mr. Lopez has stopped by to give his side of the story. Very cool.

    However, Mr. Lopez, make sure you are posting during break/lunch because the district computers can/are monitored depending upon you talk to. Gross misuse of funds to try and “catch” people discussing the district when they are posting from home or on free time.

    Just a reminder fwiw.

    As an aside, do your children go to SA schools?

    ISDP
    6/18/2007 2:13 PM
    ——————-

    1072. Anonymous said…
    Trouble is said to be brewing over at Saddleback. The principal who likes to micromanage the handicapped students overlooked the fact that there was NO staff in the classroom for the kids on at least one occasion.

    Oh wait! Administrators there only harass and micromanage dedicated, credentialed special education teachers. The rest of the time the kids are shunned and segregated from her “real students”.

    Health and Safety risks have never been taken seriously there.
    6/18/2007 2:17 PM
    ————————–

    1073. Anonymous said…
    Concensus seems to be that Russo is nothing but old school SAUSD.

    Same ‘ol. She’s got the guard dogs out in full force.
    6/18/2007 2:22 PM
    ——————————

    1074. Anonymous said…
    Mr. Rick Lopez.

    My apology if the article or I made any statements that were not true. The LA Times had the attendance scam wrong too? Is the special Ed story at Valley also wrong? Possibly in your case they made an error. Sue them if they did. You have that right. Again my apology if I made any mistatements.
    6/18/2007 2:40 PM
    —————–

    1075. Anonymous said…
    #1069

    Rick Lopez,

    Did you give any input into the towing/impound program that was recently put into place?

    Anyone know who got the contract for the new program?
    6/18/2007 2:59 PM
    ——————-

    1076. Anonymous said…
    Mr. Rick Lopez

    That was quite a response to someone passing along information from the newspaper. I don’t think I’ve seen such a heated response in the recent past. You do seem to have quite a temper.

    As I remember you on my campus you are a fairly large man armed with a gun. I don’t think anyone would fault the anon for wanting to remain that way.

    This is probably the best example of district intimidation that has been posted yet. Someone comments on a newspaper article and is called out by a man with a badge and a gun.

    No wonder you are not only a former city police chief, but a school police officer making half or less of what you used to make.

    Shame on you sir for even responding to the allegations if they are false. You are obviously a loose cannon in what has become a very questionable department in our district. You have only helped to reinforce that belief.
    6/18/2007 3:12 PM
    ———————-

    1077. I See respingere said…
    Hey! Rick Lopez,

    You have got to be one of the smartest person working for SAUSD!

    Great response, “1076″

    Obviously,
    if the allegations are wrong, You (Rick Lopez) took the time to sit down (probably during district time, according to the posted time) and respond to such!

    To me and a lot of people, the doubt that was before your response, is gone! Why would you respond to such ill, immoral, untrue and fictitious lies!

    Maybe;
    because they are not all false allegations!

12. Anonymous

    Posted May 3, 2008 at 11:28 PM

    1101. Anonymous said…
    1097 – It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Bishop was moved downtown. Isn’t that where failing principals go? Sadly, Jane and Audrey speak glowingly about Bishop. They think he’s done wonderful things at Willard. All I can say is that after four years of his reign, Willard has the lowest test scores in the county. It’s more that just a coincidence.

    Heard that 20 teachers from Willard put in for voluntary transfers. Seems to speaks volumes about Bishop, but does anyone downtown care?
    6/21/2007 7:16 AM
    ———————–

    1102. Anonymous said…
    Rumors.

    Anderson got a deputy superintendent position in another district. Her efficiency, competence and professionalism simply didn’t match the office culture that the other Asst. Supers have cultivated over the years.

    Fred’s position at Saddleback was not filled. Este and Evie had a falling out and all the additional duties are putting a strain on Evie who will most likely retire this year.

    Breaking tradition for the first time remembered, the VP of guidance did not lead the parade of graduates to the stage this year. Ms. Lizardi was relegated to “security” detail. Whatever that is. Petty, mean slight. Everyone saw through it.

    Alex Flores and company did an awesome job of asking for additional money for the youth of SA by bringing signs and speaking before the council.

    Ms. Martinez came to Saddleback’s graduation. Thanks for all the support!

    Bratcher and Lopez are scrambling to keep all the fibs under wraps, but the bad things just keep seeping out. Circle the wagon time.
    6/21/2007 11:33 AM
    ———————————-

    1103. Anonymous said…
    #1101

    Lopez sure better hope that doesn’t happen. Christine Anderson was very professional and just did her job. No bullying in her manner at all.

    Bishop is very ambitious and can torment others with gusto as can be seen in the numbers of fleeing staff at Willard. He’s not nice to others, but he is sharp and efficient. He’s also on the favorites list.

    He’ll be taking slices out Lopez in under three months of being in that position, is my prediction.

    It’s interesting when the bullies turn on their own. They always need a fall guy. With Anderson gone and if something goes wrong – bet it won’t be Bishop who takes the final hit.
    6/21/2007 12:11 PM
    ————————-

    1104. Anonymous said…
    #1096 -

    Grand Jury
    6/21/2007 12:44 PM
    —————

    1105. Anonymous said…
    #1104

    Sounds right to me. Who shall lead them? It sure as hell won’t be the unions or they would not have let it gone this far!
    6/21/2007 1:51 PM
    —————–

    1106. Anonymous said…
    Interested in becoming a principal in SAUSD? It helps to have been a soccer coach to the daughter of Juan Lopez. Just ask Freddy Gomeztrejo – apparently that’s how he arrived at Valley.
    6/22/2007 7:13 PM
    —————–

    1107. Anonymous said…
    # 106

    It has got to really rile some of the district principals and vice principals to see this kind of shoddy HR work based on shortcuts for promotions based on favoritism.

    People get demoted all the time in SAUSD. Think anyone will put him back as a vice principal and move up someone with actual PROVEN PERFORMANCE in the district? A newcomer cherry picking assignments over all the deserving veterans is not good for morale at all.

    Jane Russo just going to pretend she didn’t notice how that happened?
    6/23/2007 5:56 AM
    ———————-

    1108. Anonymous said…
    The shoddy HR practices will continue because Russo allows these sub-standard business practices.

    And Russo will continue until the BoE holds her accountable.

    And it’s the voters that must force that accountability by rejecting Richardson, Noji and Avila as school board members.
    6/23/2007 10:47 AM
    ————————

    1109. Anonymous said…
    # 1108

    Yes it is the voters. Sadly it only taken about 6 months to realize that a Mijares clone or trained seal was put in place to replace him.

    It doesn’t take much to see the promotions, the scams, the removal of those who don’t follow the company line, to realize this is the same regime.

    Obviously it is the city coupled with the district so teachers now is the time. July is a great time to put out those resumes. You may take a pay cut but you will survive in your sanity. The time to leave is now.

    CSEA employees, hey you got it made until they come after you for something you may or may have not done. I suggest you look around for another district or job too.

    The state doesn’t seem to be going to step in after all this mess so it’s time to move on. You staying will not change the education profile of the children.

    They will be graduated without true diplomas, or drop out as always no matter if you are trying or not. You can’t beat a dead horse.

    When I left the district I felt I had abondoned my kids. In my new district I found kids wanting to learn and that was refreshing.

    Instead of 20 kids flashing me gang signs, I discovered 20 kids that actually wanted to be someone.

    We can’t change the world. With the administration at SAUSD no one can change the concept that Trigg said when he equated children to dollar signs. I didn’t need that and I’m at peace but always concerned for those I left behind.
    6/23/2007 5:30 PM
    —————————-

    1110. Anonymous said…
    Sad that good employees have to leave. This flight from the district will even affect the coveted fundamental schools. Even they will be unable to attract and keep the best and the brightest teachers. Great teachers want experienced, ethical colleagues. They want to be in a district that has a good reputation for treating the students and teachers well.
    6/24/2007 7:49 AM
    ———————-

    1111. Anonymous said…
    Former VP at Saddleback has filed EEOC complaint against Jones and Bratcher for discrimination.

    Should be easy to prove. Some pretty ugly stuff was said about him and to him in front of plenty of witnesses.

    Discrimination against people with disabilities is a hallmark of SAUSD practices.

    Saddleback has to be the number one favorite school in the district for attorneys who work for the district. Constant revenue stream.
    6/24/2007 8:38 AM
    ———–

    1112. Anonymous said…
    At the beginning of the June 11th week SAEA got wind that the District was bringing in attorneys to interview six Valley teachers over the complaint on Special Education at Valley lodged with the State. SAEA managed to get a Representative posted to the meeting, which took place on Friday June 15th, incase these six teachers wanted SAEA in the room. Under pressure from the District

13. Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2008 at 12:14 AM
14. Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2008 at 12:34 AM

    1245. Anonymous said…
    Anyone know what administrative appointments were announced at the board meeting last night?
    7/25/2007 3:17 PM
    ———————–
    1246. Anonymous said…
    I heard Dr. Stainer’s replacement was named at last night’s meeting. Apparently he’s an outsider. Most are wondering if he’s a pal of Juan Lopez or Don Trigg.
    7/25/2007 4:07 PM
    —————————-

    1247. Anonymous said…
    http://www.sausd.k12.ca.us/departments/pio/release.asp?id=158

    By Invitation Only:

    High School, Inc. Academies Launch Set for September 2007
    Start the countdown!
    Santa Ana, CA – July 20, 2007

    10…9…8…

    There are less than three months left until the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Ana Unified School District “launch” their innovative High School, Inc. Academies! On September 26th, at 10 am, the school will hold an exciting grand opening ceremony for the unique technical school program at the newly-modernized Valley High School campus in Santa Ana.

    The High School, Inc. Academies feature six specialized programs created to teach students the career skills necessary for hire into some of today’s most progressive high-growth industries. This fall, the school welcomes young students into its promising curriculum.

    We invite you to save the date now for this spectacular occasion! For such an unprecedented event, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has given his unwavering support, and may be making an appearance at the ceremony! Also attending will be many dignitaries from the City of Santa Ana, the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and the Santa Ana Unified School District.

    Please mark your calendars now for 10 am on September 26th, and watch for more updates on the event within the coming months! You will need a press pass issued by the school to gain access to interviews with those students, parents, and teachers on board. For more information, please contact India Quarles at iquarles@santaanachamber.com, or 714-541-5353, ext.114.

    See you on Launch Day!

    Contact Information
    Santa Ana Unified School District is made up of an area of approximately 24 square miles located primarily in the City of Santa Ana, County of Orange, California. For further information, please contact the Public Information Office at 714.558.5555; fax: 714.558.5812
    7/26/2007 7:34 AM
    ——————

    1248. Anonymous said…
    http://www.sausd.k12.ca.us/news/docs/2007-07-26_qeia.pdf

    Joint Press Release
    Contacts:
    Dr. David Barton, SAEA President (714) 542-6758
    Angela Burrell, SAUSD Public Information Officer (714) 558-5555
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 26, 2007
    State Officials Award Instructional Improvement Funding
    for Santa Ana Unified Schools
    Fourteen Schools Chosen to receive up to $77 million over seven years
    SANTA ANA, CA.

15. Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2008 at 12:50 AM
16. Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2008 at 1:29 PM

    1355. Anonymous said…
    Where is Dr. Al now?

    http://bw.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=52512001

    Take a look at who is listed as his “network” buddies. It’s Bernedette Medrano’s Hubby!!!
    8/16/2007 7:20 AM
    —————–

    1356. Anonymous said…
    Luis -

    Your ardent support of Russo and Noji is utterly fascinating. It’s unfortunate that your energies are spent on these two gals and there is none left for the students. After all, it’s the students that are failing.
    8/16/2007 12:20 PM
    ————–

    1357. Anonymous said…
    Luis is a known Claudia Alvarez and Audrey Noji apologist. He has regularly been Alvarez’ mouthpiece on Santa Ana Citizens Yahoogroup in opposition to a swap meet and is a mouthpiece for Noji and Russo here on Orange Juice.

    How much does Claudio have to do with influencing Noji. Yet another reason to vote against a term limit extenstion.
    8/16/2007 12:30 PM
    ————–

    1358. Anonymous said…
    Student scores level off in state
    The leveling off spurs concern. Also troubling are lagging results by the state’s black and Latino students.

    By Joel Rubin and Seema Mehta

    August 16, 2007

    California public school students posted small or no gains on standardized test scores last spring, raising concerns about a leveling off of previous achievement increases and continuing debate about the disparities between black and Latino students and their white and Asian peers.

    Statewide, 41% of students reached the “advanced” or “proficient” level in math and 43% in English on standardized tests — scores that marked no movement from last year in math and only a one-point rise in English, according to results released Wednesday by the state Education Department.

    By contrast, students’ scores had jumped 7 percentage points in both subjects in the previous two years. The results, researchers said, could be the beginning of a plateau in achievement levels that often comes after initial gains.

    State officials had hoped the latest round of scores would provide more strong evidence to support their efforts to raise educational standards and accountability through testing. Sounding a more subdued note than in previous years, state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell turned particular attention on the comparisons between racial groups.

    “This year’s results offer both encouragement and reason for serious concern . . . But the data also show the persistent achievement gaps in our system that California simply cannot afford to accept — morally, economically, or socially,” O’Connell said.

    The learning chasm that separates white and Asian students from Latinos and blacks is not new — or unique to California — and stands as one of the most troubling issues facing the country’s public school systems. In California, white students cross the proficiency threshold at about twice the rate as Latinos and blacks in math and English — a gap that has remained virtually unchanged over the last five years, since the current assessment program began.

    But O’Connell ratcheted up the debate Wednesday. Educators and civic leaders, he said, must break the commonly held assumption that Latino and black students’ low scores are due largely to the effects of poverty. For the first time, O’Connell compiled statistics that showed black and Latino students who are not designated as poor are performing below white students who are at or near the poverty level.

    “These are not just economic achievement gaps; they are racial achievement gaps,” he said. “We cannot afford to excuse them; they simply must be addressed.”

    O’Connell emphasized the economic toll that the growing ranks of poorly educated minorities could have on California. “I really do believe that the biggest threat to our ability as a state to remain the sixth- or seventh-largest economy in the world is to make sure is that these [groups of students] are prepared to become contributing members in our workforce.”

    Russlynn Ali, executive director of Education Trust-West, a public policy group that focuses on school reform, praised O’Connell for making the distinction between race and economics, saying she hopes it will lead to reforms aimed at improving resources and instruction for minority students regardless of their economic class.

    Studies on teacher quality conducted by the group, for example, found that poor white students often have better access to more experienced, educated teachers than wealthier black and Latino students, Ali said.

    “So often people think this is about poverty, but it’s not just about the damage that poverty inflicts,” she said.

    The standardized tests, which include science and history in some grades, are aligned to the state’s curricular goals and given to students in grades two through 11. Individual student scores will be sent to their homes.

    The scores will be used later this month to help determine the ranking of every school in the state under the Academic Performance Index, which forms the foundation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

    Under that education measure, California must raise all students to the proficient level or above by 2013.

    The 710,000-student Los Angeles Unified, by far the state’s largest district, produced a muddied, mixed set of gains and setbacks among various grades and demographic groups.

    Ninth-graders, for example, posted strong gains, with 25% more students scoring at proficient or higher and 40% fewer students than last year languishing in the “far below basic” category in English. But in grades six and seven, English scores declined after several years of slow improvements. The only unequivocal success came in the early elementary grades, where the district made progress — albeit meager in places — across the board.

    Girls, meanwhile, performed several percentage points better than boys and, broadly speaking, L.A. Unified fared similarly to other urban districts such as San Francisco and Oakland.

    The performance of the nearly 265,000 students in L.A. Unified who are struggling to learn English as a second language remained troubling, with most of them scoring either “below basic” or “far below basic” on language arts tests.

    The district’s weak track record in teaching these English learners has become a matter of sharp scrutiny. Last month, school board President Monica Garcia and board member Yolie Flores Aguilar sponsored a measure ordering district staff to redesign how these students are taught and their teachers are trained.

    Overall, L.A. Unified improved at a faster clip than the state as a whole but remained well below California averages. Fewer than one out of every three Los Angeles students scored at or above proficient in English and only 28% did so in math. And hundreds of thousands of students in the district remained stuck at the bottom ranks of the exams.

    “We’ve still got some real heavy lifting to do,” Supt. David L. Brewer said. Along with improving instruction for English learners, Brewer emphasized that the district needs to better support failing schools, but it must also set clear, strict goals and hold school staffs responsible for meeting them.

    The year’s results present Brewer with a starting point of sorts. A retired Navy vice admiral, Brewer took over the district about nine months ago and is under considerable pressure to improve instruction, especially at middle and high schools. Any improvements or declines next year will be laid at Brewer’s feet.

    Capistrano Unified, a high-achieving Orange County district, showed spotty gains, flat lines and small dips over various grades in English and math proficiency between. In earlier years, students had made far larger gains. Similarly, in Santa Ana Unified, the state’s fifth-largest district, growth at early grade levels outpaced the state but w
    ere slower than previous years’ results.

    Michelle Benham, Capistrano’s executive director for assessment and research, compared the slowdown to a young child’s learning curve.

    “I have a toddler. The concepts she’s gaining right now are huge,” Benham said. “I wish she could continue to learn as much in the next 10 years of her life that she’s learned in the first three.”

    Researchers said it would not be surprising to see this year’s leveling-off of statewide results continue in coming years. The earlier gains came about partly as teachers grew more familiar with the tests and so better prepared their students, but replicating the significant jumps year after year becomes increasingly difficult, said Christy Kim Boscardin, a senior researcher at UCLA’s National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing.

    Such a trend would mirror what is occurring in other states, said Bruce Fuller, an education and public policy professor at UC Berkeley who led a recent national study on education accountability systems.

    “California’s consistent with what we’re seeing around the country; nationwide, state test scores have begun to level off,” he said. “The good news is we saw marked progress in [prior years] but the bad news is that the earlier buoyancy has largely faded.”

    To view the 2007 California STAR results, go to the website http://www.latimes.com/greatschools . Search for your child’s school and click on the Test Scores tab to see how it fared.

    –

    joel.rubin@latimes.comseema.mehta@latimes.com Times data analyst Sandra Poindexter contributed to this report.
    8/16/2007 12:44 PM
    ————————-

    1359. Anonymous said…
    #1357

    Apologist? What a nice way to frame Navarro’s brown nosing/a** kissing of Alvarez, Noji and Russo.

    Alvarez’s wake of destruction is of tsunami proportions in Santa Ana.

    Alvarez & Pulido is the team to defeat in Nov. ’08
    8/16/2007 4:31 PM
    ———–

    1360. Anonymous said…
    http://www.ocregister.com/news/district-school-report-1811224-nutrition-districts

    School lunches get ‘C’ in O.C. districts
    Santa Ana and Capistrano unified districts among nation’s largest to be reviewed by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
    City News Service

    SANTA ANA

17. Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2008 at 6:01 PM

    1402. Anonymous said…
    #1399

    Excellent documentary. It describes the henchmen like Carrigg, Gomeztrejo, Calloway, Arias who did dirty deeds for Esther Jones at Saddleback.

    Either they had to go along with the lies, false write ups, stealing, harassment and job interference, or they risked the chance of falling out of favor.

    Did you see where that one nutjob principal actually called the police on a teacher to say the poor teacher was “kidnapping” her students. Oh wait! Jones has called the police with false accusations and other little erands, too!

    When watching that film, it was like watching the crazy at Saddleback and Willard. Pass it along to your friends. It explains the selfish personal focus of bad administrators who don’t let the best employees do their jobs.

    Gary Namie said that bully bosses have three things that drive them to pick their “targets”.

    Teachers who are independent and self-starting, teachers with high technical skills, teachers who are popular and well-liked, and teachers who have ethical behavior and expectations. Bullies HATE those kinds of high performers and will do just about anything to destroy the careers of excellent workers.

    The Mijares/ Noji culture has been dysfunctional.
    8/25/2007 9:47 AM
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    1403. Anonymous said…
    Regarding Marianne Bola

    Marianne Bola did a great job at Valley as activities director. After many years being passed over by downtown for an admin position and after repeated interventions by the Union, Marianne Bola finally got the AD job (which was a half-step to an Admin job) at Valley.

    Now that Marianne has finally achieved her goal, I think she is getting a back-handed promotion to admin with her appointment to Willard. Juan Lopez is setting her up for failure, punishment for pressing hard against his resistance. Bishop is a monster and very anti-Union. If I were you teachers at Willard, I would rally round Marianne.
    8/25/2007 10:15 AM
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    1404. Anonymous said…
    1401

    Marianne Bola
    should have taken and should have been smart and followed Lewis, but I guess she is the predicament because she is competent and a very reliable administrator, NOT!

    She hates life and everyone else is going to pay for it. She better get ready to receive the same treatment she dishes out. She will be treated the way she treats others.

    If she hates Willard now, wait till school starts, she will be in hell!

    Willard staff will not play nice with her, let the games begin!
    8/25/2007 10:29 AM
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    1405. Anonymous said…
    Question: Why is Robert Sanchez demoted to counselor after sticking up for teachers and not going along with bully tactics by several bad site administrators while jokers like Katrina and Evelyn are left in place despite outrageous unprofessional conduct in front of students, employees and community members? Who could forget them physically blocking students from seeing a school play? Good old Brenda Blanchard caught wind of it and showed up for the other plays to make sure those two remained in check. Why is Fred Gomeztrejo plucked to be a principal while other long-term employees with proven service records are left to the sidelines?

    That Mijares connection still seems to be a factor. When demotions and promotions start making sense- that is when we

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