Update 3/5/08: This post now has 2,003 comments! However, it has exceeded the capacities of our server and has been truncated recently at about 1,529 posts. But one of our readers has stepped up to the plate and painstakingly copied all of the comments into three NEW posts:
- SAUSD-Mijares corruption thread, 2008 Comments
- SAUSD-Mijares corruption thread, 2007 Comments
- SAUSD-Mijares corruption thread, 2006 Comments
We have also started a NEW open SAUSD thread, which I hope our readers will post to regarding new SAUSD news and views.
You can also go to our home page and go to the right column. Click on “SAUSD Posts” and you can get links to ALL of our past SAUSD articles.
I must say, I am amazed at the stories that have been posted on this blog in the wake of Al Mijares’ exit from the Santa Ana Unified School District. I am posting this item merely to give SAUSD bloggers a place to post their comments. Post away my friends – we have an opportunity now to finally do away with the corruption left over from the Mijares regime. Change is at hand, but we must remain resolute.
I noted that someone affiliated with the SAUSD administration recently posted a threat on this site – alleging possible legal action against SAUSD employees who post anonymously on this site. That is despicable and a form of terrorism. Do not let fear restrain any of you from revealing the truth.
The final challenge we face in Santa Ana is to replace Mijares with someone competent. We won’t have another opportunity like this anytime soon. This process must be open and focused and whatever else happens we must keep Audrey Noji out of the Superintendent’s position. As a member of the Cerritos College faculty and a member of the teacher’s union at that campus I opposed her when she tried to get a job at our campus. If she goes after the SAUSD superintendent post I will do so again. I know we can do better!
All of my children are in the SAUSD system. For their sake and that of all schoolchildren in the district, I urge those who are rebelling against the last vestiges of Mijares’ broken empire to keep the information flowing and to do whatever it takes to ensure that our next superintendent will be up to the task. Mijares certainly was over his head throughout his doomed tenure.
#772
No apology needed. I enjoy a good beating if I’m wrong and I enjoy debating even more. But I also enjoy it much more from someone who isn’t so smug and can spell better than I can. “rasises”,”schdule”???
Ok I mispelled Gall. Bingo But I can spell raises and schedule. Fair enough? Maybe I am a PE teacher?…*)
Was I there at the rally? Sure. Did I wear black on Friday’s? Of course not. I don’t wear green on St. Patrick’s day either and I’m Irish. Makes about as much difference and as much impression on anyone. If you think it did fine. We do not agree.
Now let’s play rockem sockem football. How many teachers in 2004 on step 6 class III in 2004 are still here to benefit at class 9 step III today? How many have retired? How many have left and how many have been forced to leave by administration? Put those numbers up and I’ll shut up if you can.
The fact is I don’t think there is a teacher in this district who would not accept this agreement willingly if the union would protect them from the harassment or abuse from the district administration.
When I see that the union stepped in and stopped just one teacher from being done over then I will have no reason to write on this blog further. Meanwhile take your numbers and realize no one buys them because they are just as minipulative as the propaganda the district puts out.
#772
PS
You almost got me with the strawman arguement. But it still doesn’t change the FACT that the 13.4% was already pre-negotiated 3 years ago and restored by agreement then. Nor does it change the fact that this measly 5% increase is negated by the PPO increase by any teacher who decides to continue with it.
You can throw out what any teacher was making in 2004 but those same teachers, if they still are here have failed to gain anything either. Now do you want to get into the cost of living index between 2004 and 2007?? I’m willing and we can toss numbers all over this blog.
Face it. We didn’t even break even, but that can be acceptable if you and the other union lacky’s will just protect us from the treatment we are getting from our school administrations.
#773
If you have the numbers of people that have been driven from the district put them up. Don’t yell about one problem when it is something else that upsets you. Give the union a break and go work to help them solve the problem.
#775
Of course I don’t have the numbers of the people driven from the district. There are over 700 posts here. Mostly from teachers that have been abused, mistreated and failed to get help from the union.
I’m not required to answer to you. You sound like a union employee or rep so you Answer to me because no district teacher in this district would possibly take the stand and tactics you seem to be taking. You you put up the numbers of the teachers the union has protected from harassment. You put up the numbers of the lawsuits against the district the union has filed and actually litigated for discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. Then we can talk.
The fact is I don’t think there is a teacher in this district who would not accept this agreement willingly if the union would protect them from the harassment or abuse from the district administration.
When I see that the union stepped in and stopped just one teacher from being done over then I will have no reason to write on this blog further. Meanwhile take your numbers and realize no one buys them because they are just as minipulative as the propaganda the district puts out.
*****************
Neither the union nor the district wants to admit where the toxic workplaces are. They know about the dysfunction, yet they never address the root problems of why administrators with obvious personality disorders are let alone to abuse staff. There are plenty of resources on the internet and in HR manuals to combat the habitual harassment. Here is just one:
http://content.monster.ca/8414_en-CA_p1.asp
Most employees begin their jobs with enthusiasm. They look forward to challenges, professional development and growth, applying their skills and talents, and working with people who have similar goals.
How do these eager, positive, and passionate individuals become stressed-out, cynical, depressed individuals who loathe going to work?
A toxic workplace.
Toxic is defined as being
#777
Your post is very intuitive even though it breaks the conversation that was going on, which is probably why you put it up. Nothing like a good distraction to break a losing battle. Thanks. I have a class to teach in the morning and I’m sure most who read this blog with A.D.D. as both the district and union count on, will also be thankful for your interjection.
Harrassment lady,
People at your school tell me you are getting to be of concern. You have access to psychological services. Please use them.
And #779 is entrusted to educate our youth. If your post is indicative of how you treat our students, I hope you take advantage of the pyschological services as well. Book your appointment before the insurance rates escalate.
#779
Which school?
Jane Russo. One of top 20 women in OC to watch.
http://www.sys-con.com/read/349954.htm
I bet students pay attention in her class!!!!!!!!!
Number 779 is from the front office. And the post was made during school hours. That’s accountability for you.
From the district website. Since when is Lewis Bratcher and Jane Russo in charge of Saddleback High School’s play this year?
from the link:
Les Miserables Production at Saddleback High
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Saddleback High will be holding the musical production of Les Miserable at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Contact Dr. Bratcher or the Superintendent’s Office for more info.
http://www.sausd.k12.ca.us/events/detail.asp?id=442
# 779
Whatever made you assume I was a woman? If I was whatever made you assume I was a lady? More interesting, whatever made you think harassment was spelled with 2 “R”s?
#785 — Bratcher & Russo need good press. The fence fiasco & low enrollment at Godinez; upcoming lawsuits; district’s pending Year 3 PI classification; poor CASHEE performance; low teacher morale; and aging facilities are plaguing Russo & her cabinet.
#787
Russo knew the job was dangerous when she took the 1/4 million a year for it. I think some would just like to see her earn it. So far it seems like mixed reviews but I remember reading that 10 years ago with another superintendent.
#788 If Russo is anything like the former supt. I pray the BOE doesn’t wait a decade to take action.
I’d like to know the BOE’s rationale for offering Russo a 1/4 million dollar salary? No prior supt. experience; no doctrate in education. No habla espanol. Who hires a chief that cannot communicate with 85% of its customers?
I just sat in a three hour training and in California it comes down to simplicity:
a workplace can’t be hostile. And trust me all the cases in CA that have been
won were not about men touching women or telling inappropriate jokes.
After that the retaliation becomes the issue. There’s another set of lawsuits
won on that.
The bottom line for managers and companies is to act swiftly and continue to
make sure the reported incidents do not re-occur.
Breaking News
The city’s school system is giving short shrift to parents of children
with disabilities, according to a report released today by Public
Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.The report reveals the findings of a probe
launched after parents complained of unreturned phone calls and
unresponsive parent coordinators.In the report, Ms. Gotbaum documents
that Committee on Special Education officials responsible for
processing and maintaining special education cases failed to respond to
52 of 98 calls (53 percent) made in October by investigators posing as
parents.
#791 does your post pertain to SAUSD?
The stench of arrogance that wafts from the district offices is offensive. The Supt., school board members, administrators and cabinet members maintain an inner circle of pet parents that have been trained to attack on queue. The most recent target of these trained circus pets were the Grant parents.
Any and all parent organizations should operate as an independent entity.
As far as phone calls returned by the district. I suggest these parents storm a board meeting and register their complaints.
It’s time the voters hold elected officials accountable.
Richardson, Avila and Hernandez are up for re-election next year.
Let’s vote RAH out of office in ’08!
Art Pedroza,
Consider making this long list of posts an item on your blog. it is nearly 800 posts about the SAUSD. If you want participation by a larger number of community members, then make this group of posts a priority for people to easily access it. Just a suggestion and I hope you consider how important this issue is to the community at large.
Poster 793,
Thank you – it is indeed a permanent item on the blog. If you go to our home page, check out the orange boxes in the top right corner. Go to “SAUSD posts” and you will find this story and all the others having to do with SAUSD.
I continue to be amazed by this story and by our readers devotion to it. Thank you all for reading the Orange Juice and for posting your ideas about improving SAUSD.
We got rid of Mijares, but we’re not done yet…
#794 – Mijares wake is like a tsumani. Read the latest.
Cook Says:
3/28/2007 9:19 AM
Thomas, what is going on with SAUSD?
from the LA Times.
“Santa Ana Unified School District administrators created false class rosters and misused substitute teachers to qualify for state funding earmarked for small classes for elementary students, according to eight teachers, school documents and state officials.”
“State officials said the district’s actions appeared illegal”
“However, Juan M. Lopez, assistant superintendent of human resources, said Monday that he was aware that teachers at Washington were “uncomfortable” with the district’s new practice of removing students from their rosters. “We’re well aware that some feel awkward about this. They’ve told us,” said Lopez, adding that teachers were told participation was voluntary.”
My lord! ARE these people running the show a bunch of CROOKS?
Anonymous Says:
3/28/2007 1:58 PM
Rob –
This crookery leads directly to Mijares, Russo, Trigg and Juan Lopez.
This latest incident is directly related to the Remington episode that took place in 2005.
The episode at Remington involved the discovery of 241 cases in which pupils’ absences were “changed to tardies.”
The Remington misstep was glossed over by Triggs, as an “error.” The principal and office manager were placed on administrative to help alleviate concerns.
Today we learn that district administrators have upped their game by boosting revenue with the creation of phantom classes at Washington Elementary.
Russo, Triggs and Lopez have some ‘splaining to do.
1.) Russo states in the article that the BOE approved the creation of phantom classes. I don’t know what she’s smoking, but I’d bet the farm that’s an outright untruth. (This is one reason the BOE should have hired a seasoned superintendent.)
2.) School site administrators have nothing to gain by creating phantom classes. The revenue boost goes directly to the district. If district administrators coerced school site adminstrators to engage in such practices they should be fired on the spot.
3.)The article states union officials have heard concerns about altered rosters from teachers at four schools and requested legal justification from the district two weeks ago. Why hasn’t the district responded to the union officals? How widespread is this practice of creating phantom classes?
4.)The article goes on to say that the creation of phantom classes is a new district policy that was enacted about one-month ago. If that’s accurate then Supt. Russo should post this district policy on its website immediatley.
5.) Richardson’s “steward” lecture is A-1 manure. Stop chasing Montgomery – keep your eye on the skullery taking place beneath your nose. The county went BK while you were stewarding with Stanton.
6.)In both instances it has been the teachers that have alerted the public about the district’s unethical practices of boosting revenue. To you, I say thank you.
The corruption just marches on:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-classsize28mar28,0,4075983.story?coll=la-home-headlines
What bunch of idiots decided that this new illegal policy should begin last month? Is this an attempt to divert money to administrators instead of cutting numbers of them down? The district eliminates teacher assistant positions that really help the students learn, then they create false rosters which keep overcrowding in place. This is an outrage! This is a perfect example of a BOE and Superintendents who have absolutely NO stake at all in making sure the Santa Ana tax payers and school system are run properly.
When real estate prices start to weaken, who in their right mind will buy in the district with the worst run schools by the most incompetent leadership? How many of those overpriced parasites called district administration are really doing anything at all for the service of the children?
Thanks to the Times for printing this story. Don’t count on the Register for any enlightenment when there are major issues in Santa Ana.
I applaud the teachers who stepped up because the future will be rough. I’d start putting out resume’s now because if you have read the nearly 800 entries here you know what you will be facing.
To be honest I’d given up on the teachers and the union to out any wrongdoing other than personal retribution. This, assuming all true, outs the real district methods. I truly enjoyed the quote from Trigg.
“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.
Does anyone else see what the problem is?
#797-
You ask what bunch of (SAUSD admins)decided this new illegal policy?
Mijares
Triggs
Lopez
Russo
This illegal activity reaches back two years, that we know, when the Remington tardy scandal broke lose.
The article reported that this illegal activity was ocurring at four school sites. Does anyone know what other schools are involved in this new policy to extort state money?
Have the Washington teachers filed grievances?
#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.
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?
#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.
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.
Anyone see Saddleback’s API scores this year?
SAD.
Mijares’s wake of incompetency is just starting to hit shore.
#805
When does Jane Russo begin to take responsibility for problems?
Mijares has been gone for well over 6 months.
#804
Are Sadleback’s API scores bad enough to warrant Hernandez’s call to close down the school for poor academic performance?
#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.
#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
#809
You’re right Jose Alfredo “Immigrant Millionaire” Hernandez took the lazy approach when it came to closing Grant. He made no attempt to meet with Grant parents, but joined the chorus of parent bashing led by Alda Rosa and Victoria Zaragoza.
District officials and their trained pets rountinely attack their critics. Conquer and divide is their mantra.
DELAC and the PTA’s silence is deafening.
A state takeover looks promising everyday.
Thanks for the good community service, Art. You are keeping track of a shameful period of time in our school district’s history of fraud, corruption, lies, harassment, hiding serious problems, breaches of safety, dishonesty and cronyism unmatched anywhere.
Thanks, too, to David Barton for stepping up to face this dragon on behalf of the teachers and for the students they work for.
I would like to quote the great Mahatma Gandhi:
Nonviolent noncooperation with evil means cooperation
with all that is good.
Do not co-operate with bullying because it is an
unqualified evil.
When you fight bullying, you fight the good fight.
This thread survives because of the district’s failure to effectively communicate with the parents,students,teachers, staff & the community it serves.
This is the only outlet we have to express our outrage about the shoddy management practices of district adminstrators.
Parent organizations such as DELAC and the PTA are useless since their leadership is controlled by Russo and Noji. Their robotic performances at school board meetings punctuate the district’s need to control information.
Program Improvement money has gone unchecked. The public should ask for an audit of these funds. If Russo, Trigg & Lopez tinkered with state money, it wouldn’t be too surprising to learn they’ve been jiggling federal funds as well.
The board’s overture to conduct an independent audit is meaningless. They didn’t learn from the Remington scandal and will continue to defy the laws that govern fund distribution because they believe they’re above the law.
The Russo, Trigg, Lopez & Noji chorus of “it’s a clerical error,” is the height of smugness and arrogance.
Red Says:
3/30/2007 11:07 AM
SAEA Teacher’s Union Preseident, David Barton’s interview with KOCE Reporter Jason will be on tonight.
This will air as part of Real Orange, KOCE (local PBS affiliate in Huntington Beach Ch 50) at 6:30 and 11:00 p.m on Friday (today) and tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.
I watched the interview on KOCE with Mr. Barton and with Mr. Palacio. Both were very interesting. Barton seems to appear to be very sure of finally catching the district with its hand in the till. Palacio reminded me of a deer caught in headlights while stating the obvious with plausible denial.
Is this the same Palacio that was linked with Nativo a few years ago? If I heard this interview correctly he almost admitted the district may have been involved with wrongdoing but the board had no knowledge???
At what point does it take for the board to get more involved with the activities of the top administrators? Isn’t that what they were elected to do rather than just enjoy the perks?
Plausible deniability does not work after the track record the district has over the past few years.
You can click on the below site to watch the KOCE broadcast of SAUSD alleged fraud issue regarding Class Size Reduction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeUk2vSCRrQ
Dr. Noji laments that the teachers didn
On July 16 last summer I posted (#7) the open letter to Noji and Russo, excerpted below . By the end of August it was clear that both Noji and Russo were incapable of making any dramatic changes to the corrupt culture infecting the Chestnut Street offices. Both Noji and Russo were and still are unwilling to cut the cancer spreading throughout the district. By the November elections I had two months of voluntary effort to oust Noji from the school Board. And despite the fact that we failed to rid SAUSD of Noji, we came very close with Noji squeaking out a 765 vote victory over a virtually unknown challenger. Yet after the election many of us with an optimistic streak sincerely believed Noji would get the message and begin cleaning the district up. Silly us.
I think it
There are two groups active in SAUSD. The group that wants to do the best that they can to educate the students in the district. They have high morals, great expectations, they are focused on delivering quality teaching, and they are honest and sincere.
The other group consists of a club of entitled liars and fools. They don
#817
Things are getting interesting.
Here is a problem that looks to be an issue. In the past Audrey Noji had Al Mijares to enforce her control issues. He
Retaliation has been a huge part of the culture of SAUSD administration. If there is a problem, the whistleblower is the one to pay the consequences. Remember the Valley Counselors and the little witch hunt that happened that spring, when information leaked onto this blog? Remember Bernedette Medrano threatening this blog when all the bottled up corruption and district abuses were coming to light? You can look directly to the top of an organization that has this kind of toxic focus. There used to be a question of whether those threats were generated by Mijares, but now that he
Concordia University has a Master