Could it be that Santa Ana Unified School District board president Rob Richardson illegally seized land at Centennial Park, via his bogus fence installation, in order to distract us from the real story that broke out this month?
That would be the latest scandal involving the SAUSD – I have heard for weeks that the district has bungled their special education program. They won’t be able to shuffle this scandal off like they did the class size reduction scandal that resulted in a loss of $2 million in state funding.
Both the O.C. Register and the Times have covered this mess.
According to the Register, “Tyrone and Alice Borelli, a married couple teaching at Valley High, said in the complaint that the district violated state and federal law when school officials transferred students to regular education classes without following outlined procedures, including the proper notification of parents.”
The Times added, “Their education, because of this stupid move, has been totally destroyed this year,” said Tyrone Borelli, who along with his wife, Alice, teaches at Valley.”
These charges are very serious! Per the Times, “The Borellis’ complaint, filed with the state May 10, alleges that the district violated federal law and the state education code.”
As usual, SAUSD trustee John Palacio put it best, “They were overcrowded, and they had to figure a way to put kids in classrooms, so what they did is got all the special-ed kids and placed them improperly in [traditional] classrooms. Everything was driven by economics,” he said Thursday.”
In any other city, the public would have forced Richardson and his allies off the board by now, and Russo would have been dragged off in handcuffs. These people are able to get away with this corruption and incompetence because they are in Santa Ana. We need to keep pressuring them and informing parents as to what is really going on. It is a matter of social justice at this point.
Art-
You’re right. In any other City, parents would be up-in-arms and calling in the Fed’s to investigate. Why can the School Board get away with all this stuff in Santa Ana?
Without somehow finding a way to blame Pulido, can you explain this?
Morning Coffee
Morning Coffee,
Yes, you cannot blame Pulido, but any other big city Mayor would have spoken out about this a long time ago – and likely called for the resignation of the guilty trustees.
But Pulido helped to elect them. Oops.
That aside, let’s face it – we have a lot of immigrants and a lot of residents with barely a high school education, if even that much. And English fluency is a problem.
One step would be to allow immigrants in our city to vote on school board elections, as they do in New York municipal elections.
Aside from that, what we need is for the “usual suspects” to step up and hammer Richardson. And that is beginning to happen. Glen and Julie Stroud are in fact starting to go after him in a big way. That is something to celebrate.
I do believe that folks are beginning to wake up. Once the voters realize that we can in fact throw the bums out…watch out!
Art,
Have you asked the Strouds if you could repost their message about the fencing issue from the local email group?
They lend an aire of credibility and determination that assists the cause of bringing accountability into the forefront in SA.
Also, have you noticed which issues interest the board members the most? It rarely has anything to do with the quality of educational services…. it is mostly about turf, $$$$$, and politics.
Everything done in this district is done at the expense of the students and parents. Almost nothing that happens in this district would fly in south county. Unfortunately, most of us have bills to pay and mouths to feed so we keep quiet. We are so dependent on avenues like this blog to try and get some of the injustices exposed.
“They(the Stroud’s) lend an aire of credibility”
Are you kidding me? “Credibility”? In the eyes of whom? The Klan?
Well, the Strouds are clear writers and if they are willing to join up for community causes, then it might be a good idea to put aside differences. Sort of like a cease fire.
what would be wrong with Mr. Pedroza asking them if they would like to post at this blog or if he could repost their commentary and observations on the fencing issue.
Maybe there is some commmon ground here.
Hopefully the latest fiasco involving FEDERAL funding will be taken seriously by some oversight group.
Administrators have gotten away with gaming the system because no one holds them accountable.
I agree with #4. At least the blog may make them uncofortable until an honest clean up starts.
Please don’t say such things about the Strouds. They worked for years in the city parks and recreation department coaching Santa Ana children and they do not deserve such comments. They also help Greyhound dogs who have no homes. They are NOT afraid to go after Robert Richardson and I expect them to keep on him! Glen was on the Grand Jury and he knows what it takes to make these crooks pay for their misdeeds. I think some at SAUSD will go to jail. Maybe boardmembers. The Strouds can help in that effort. Let’s bring them back into the city family.
In more school district fiscal mismanagement, it appears the district is looking to spend Measure C funds on the fences at Centennial Park and a new warehouse on the Otsuka property.
Is that what the voters approved? A blank check to build fences and warehouses instead of classrooms?
Art,
I believe you are right on the money on this one. This “Fence” issue is just a red herring. The community has to be focused on the real issues and not let itself be distracted. We all have to realize most of these SAUSD boardmembers and administrators are very slimey and will slip out of your hands when handled. Please wash your hands thoroughly after handling one of these slime balls to prevent infection.
Art, Why not allow Glenn Stroud to join your blog team..at least part time…and if someone has a problem with something Julie said or did then talk to her face to face..not as an Anon. In the past I have done that with her and she has been open to change and admit mistakes if some were made or better explain her point of view. We need to work together folks if we are going to bring down this School Distict Board and staff. As long as we snipe at each other or put fellow activists down then the winner is the rich district Management staff and the school board. The kids lose. In fact, some of this Anon. neg material may be staff members or their loyalist who want to see us fight each other. When we have worked together as concerned activists we have moved mountains. We need that kind of team work again. A great first step might be a meeting organized by Art Pedroza. What do you say Art? How about taking the lead on this and holding a meeting of all activists to take on the school district and try to save it. Let’s hang together people. We may not agree on National or even some local issues but let’s unite to fight this District!!! Our kids need our help.
Puhleeze,
I will not tolerate the anonymous berating of people who have chosen to step up and make our community a better place.
Where were you?
#9
I’m right there with you. Many people squawked about the Measure C money used for El Sol and the bungalows at Santa Ana College, yet remain dumb regarding the slight of hand regarding Measure C funds used to purchase land that will house the district’s new warehouse.
The Otsuka site was approved as an elementary school site, however board prez Richardson declared the site on the **wrong side of the street.**
Not only will the distrcit’s main warehouse be relocated to the Otsuka site, but bungalows will be moved onto the site and called Community Day school.
Furthermore, taxpayers spent in excess of $100 million to build Godinez and just over 500 students are enrolled for the upcoming school year. What’s with that?
And now they’re asking for more money? Richardson along with Audrey Noji are a big part of the problem. They pushed for Russo to replace Mijares. It’s time to clean house and it should start with Supt. Russo, her cabinet, Richardson, Noji, and Avila.
Rob Richardson must be having a very bad day indeed. It is great news for us that the Strouds have come to agree with us that he must be held accountable.
I would be happy to work with everyone in our community in order to take out Richardson and his cronies.
I don’t know that the Strouds would be interested in blogging here. I don’t think I have ever seen their names on this blog as commenters. But if they have something to say, I am sure that either Thomas Gordon or myself could put up their statements.
You can here the war drums now. Richardson’s days are numbered.
I’m curious what Sean would have said that got his post removed by Art??? I’m glad people are seeing the real Rob Richardson. For too long he fooled too many people but now even those who suported him in the past are seeing his true colors. So many of us worked so hard to remove Nativo with the idea that Richardson represented real change. We now see we were sadly mistaken. To those who knew this before we ask you to forgive us and let us now work together to remove Richardson from office and replace him with true leaders who love our children and understand what they need.
Has anyone started a recall fund?
I’m ready to donate.
Thomas,
I agree that the anonymous attacks are out of line. With that being said, those being attacked anonymously in this case have been behind the anonymous attacks against myself, Art and others on many occasions. Perhaps if they put their names to their posts this would not happen as much.
The “usual suspects” have anonymously attacked me, my family and my friends here on this blog. I know you have privately told me that you do not like it, but you have never publicly condemned it as you did the anonymous posts against them. Heck they have even tried to involve my employer in this battle against me and yet publicly you have remained silent.
I think it is great that Glen and Julie have finally seen the light when it comes to Rob Richardson. I welcome them into the battle to rid our community of this scourge. I don’t however believe that we should throw a parade and give them the run of this blog.
Personally I like Glen. I think he is a nice man, though I don’t necessarily like his politics. Julie is another story altogether.
They along with the other “usual suspects” waged attacks on me, including, but not limited to, an attempt to keep me off the Planning Commission with lies and slander. Have you ever condemned them for this? No.
What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander. Perhaps you should speak out against their attacks too Thomas. Otherwise it appears that you are simply a shill for the “usual suspects”.
#16,
I removed the post not Art.
I went to high school with Rob Richardson and I can tell you from personal experience that he didn’t like Mexicans.
Sean,
There is obvious recent and past history that warrants your caution in regards to people who intended you harm.
However, city activists will sometimes have to redirect that energy towards a common enemy of Santa Ana for the benefit of all.
Each one of us will have a reason to join the rally to rid the school district of the board members who insist on hurting our students and staff for their own gains. For me, it was when the district was exposed for coercive tactics to make the teachers commit illegal activities. For the Strouds, it is the betrayal of a board member who they helped to elect only to see the truth: Richardson is crooked. For you, it was probably way back when Nativo was ousted and you saw dirty tactics by those desperate to unseat him.
However, let’s fast foward a bit. The collective voices are getting stronger. We can put our own agenda front and center. Or we can suspend the hard feelings (if even only to accomplish at challenging task at hand) and focus on how to accomplish justice for the kids, citizens and city.
I want to point out that what Santa Ana lacks in political power and influence, it compensates with hard work and true heart.
This blog making it to 6th place is one illustration.
#21,
My battles date back to long before the recall of Nativo, though the actions in that case surely did not endear any of those folks to me.
I agree that we should focus on the battle at hand. However, just as I am being asked to put aside my differences towards others, the same should be asked of them.
Sean –
#21 did ask the same of all.
I think what might really help to heal some old wounds would be if people like the Strouds, Dave and Darrin, Jeanelle and Mark McLaughlin, and others from North S.A. who worked to stop the Grisett school and recall Nativo were willing to admit Richardson has been a failure, our schools are worse than they were before, and they on a road to be taken over by the State. And if that group would be part of Richardson’s recall effort then we could really forget the past and try to help each other. If they along with others who recalled Nativo were willing to pull and sign the papers to recall Richardson then they would really prove to me that they were motivated to improve our schools and not other reasons. I think it would surprise Sean and others and really might be something we could all get behind.
Interestingly last week on the board agenda, #12 of action items, the district planned to vote on the Think Together takeover of district after school programs. At Tuesday’s board meeting, it was not even brought up- taken off the entire agenda completely.
Morning Coffee –
Miguel Pulido jumped on the recall bandwagon only when he knew there was a good possibility his nemisis could be slayed. He rode Ron Unz’s monied coattails and exploited the original recall activists.
Pulido is the one that asked Rob to run against Lopez in the recall election. It was the perfect storm. Recall Nativo and get the BoE to rescind their vote to build Loren Griset school in his neighborood. It was a win, win for Miguel.
After Noji’s bitter loss to Lopez, it was easy for Pulido to entice her to run again. She did. And she won. Avila has always saddled up to Pulido and that was his second vote. Richardson was his majority vote. Unz’s unfettered money allowed him to put his plan in play. And he won.
Yes, Pulido is responsible for a good share of the district’s troubles.
But you already knew that.
i still want to know: is there a place to send a donation for a recall? I don’t care who is in charge of it. I just want to get the donations started.
I think the teacher’s union has a PAC for donations, too. Let’s get this started.
You all have to have a decent school system that is respected among teachers and the community.
If u can do this then, you will have homeowners willing to buy properties in Santa Ana. Right now, everyone knows that SA is rife with gangs, violence, drop out rates and a very compromised education system. Is this what you want to advertise to potential homeowners?
Get rid of the carpet baggers= all the south county administrators who are stealing your school funds b/c they don’t care about the community. Build the school system with the best teachers in the area and promise to support them. get rid of the greedy and the short-sighted. Hire only employees who are dedicated to affecting positive change in your city.
The time is now. If you are Mexican or Caucasian or Asian…. your school distict owes you justice. Rise up and demand it.
Get rid of the lazy and the disaffected. get rid of the harassing and the short-sighted. demand that Russo and the board do the right thing for this working class community.
#27-
Most of the folks who ultimately got involved in the recall waited until there was a good chance it would succeed. They knew what it would take to get it done, and there was no point in taking on something that had no chance of happening.
Pulido was **one** of the people who asked Rob to run for the SAUSD position. There were many, many others who also urged him to run.
The folly of the Griset school location was, there weren’t enough children in the local area to justify the school. Children were going to be bussed in from other schools. Many believed, and still do, it was better to locate a new school where children could attend without being bussed through half the City.
Pulido didn’t “entice” Noji to run again. She needs no enticement! She truly believes she’s the most qualified person on the Board, and is the only one who knows what’s best for the children.
As for Avila, don’t kid yourself. Pulido isn’t a member of her fan club. If anything, he has tried to reign her in on some things, most times without much success.
It was never Pulido’s *plan* to recall anyone. That idea got started by some parents. And it wasn’t Pulido who brought Unz to the party either.
As for this fence issue, Pulido and Alvarez have both spoken out about how bad it is and are both pushing to stop it.
The real blame for the mess in the SAUSD belongs the people who continually vote to reelect bad board members, and the absence of parents marching on the District calling for change and investigations.
But *you* already knew that, or should have.
Morning Coffee
Morning Coffee –
I’ll take a bag of peanuts with my coffee and the in-flight movie.
#30
Is that you Sonia? It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you. Whatzzzzzzz happening?
#31-
Therein lies the problem. It’s much easier to sit on your backside, eat peanuts, watch the movie and cry because no one is going to fight the battle for you. The people who have children in SAUSD are the ones being harmed. It’s up to them to get together and take action, other than posting here about how bad things are and how the folks from the last recall aren’t stepping up to the plate.
Last time, there were petitions on the street, people speaking up at Board meetings, and a lot of volunteers working *before* other folks stepped in to help. All I’ve seen happen so far is the complaining and finger pointing on this blog!
Morning Coffee
#33
The entire community is being harmed by the incompetent leadership fully entrenched at SAUSD. And that includes Pulido, Richardson and Noji.