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.
# 365
Instead of asking # 364 to explain how Noji has turned things around since Mijares left, maybe you can expand on how one out of 5 votes on a school board is completely responsible for the entire downfall of the district. I seem to remember in civics about a quorum for a board to make a decision.
Yes Noji has been on the board forever. Yes she probably should be replaced, but no one vote can change the mess the district has become in 30-60 days or even a year. What about the other 4 board members? Do they not take some responsibility for the situation the district finds itself in now or does Noji have a magic spell over all 4 of the other votes?
You have also asked # 364 to expand on Cecilia’s ties with Miyashiro and the maintenance department. How does this sound? I’m looking at a business card issued by the Santa Ana School Police Department for Cecila. Her title is Parent Involvement coordinator.
Her ties, sir or madam, is Cecila is a member of the school police department and part of building services. She works directly for Miyashiro. Building services is in charge of all maintenance. Is that a close enough tie to start with? Do you really want to put a board member in place with no experience and those connections?
To # 366. Talk about mushroom scare tactics. Wow. I can’t even argue with any of your claims. Noji caused all that? All by herself? I’ve said before that I think she needs to be replaced. Based on your statements, it sounds like she needs to be investigated for selling her vote and malfeasance of office. I assume you have the proof and are taking all these matters to the proper authorities so that justice can be done.
Putting aside all sarcasm. The fact is Noji is part of the problem. She is one-fifth of it. A few years ago Nativo was part of the problem and was removed. Palcio, Tanajero and even Avilla are part of the problem too. I’ve seen Avilla go against the other members more than once and lose. Richardson probably has as many ties if not more than Noji to the city government. So what do we do?
Do we vote to keep someone in that has a basic understanding of the politics already in place, or do we put in someone who is tied to a department that has squandered district resources to the point that even new schools are being built poorly? Someone who is tied to a supervisor who has lost one law suit because he has more interest in his sex life than his district responsibility. As # 364 said. It is the less of two evils to keep Noji. All of these comments should show the board they are under deep scrutiny now. They can either fix it or face the consequences.
Putting aside all sarcasm. The fact is Noji is part of the problem. She is one-fifth of it.
No, she is the leader of this wasted district. There is no coincidence that she has let the principal at Saddleback stay, despite the fraud, grievances, turnover and constant controversies. They are in tight from their days in the San Gabriel Valley. Noji
#369
Noji is the leader? I was taught one person one vote. I can’t repeat enough she needs replaced. I just don’t see a viable alternative. Miyashiro’s girl Cecilia isn’t the answer unless you want to pay another 500k plus in school funds for his misdeeds. You tell me who would be the best candidate and I’ll vote for him or her.
#369
You keep harping Cecilia is Miyrashiro’s girl, but you refuse to provide facts that support your accusations.
If you’ve been taught – one person, one vote – where’s the harm in supporting Cecilia? She is only one vote.
Only a fool would venture to tell you who to vote for, however you must reside and be registered, to vote, within SAUSD boundaries.
Noji has been a school board member for 16 years. Are we better off today than when she was first elected?
NO.
#368
Your post supports what Noji’s former work associates, at Santa Ana College, have been saying for years.
371,
Vote Noji!
Poster 364
Duh? Ya don’t award someone 4 more years of service when they have been ineffective for the past 16 years.
Noji knows her 16 years is a liability and that’s why her campaign literature alludes to only the past two years as board president. If all 16 years had been stellar she would be boasting about her record. She is not.
Noji’s mailer claims she has support from Santa Ana teachers, but the union is NOT endorsing her. This is misleading.
Noji makes a practice of discouraging parents at board meetings. When she began as board president she would delay public speaking so parents would eventually go home without speaking because they had to get their kids in bed. Sometimes public speaking has started as late as 9:00pm!
As much as I did not like Nativo for his misdeeds, I must say more parent involvement was more encouraged when he was on the board.
Noji has not built trust with parents. The most involved parents just move away and try to find better schools where the school leaders treat parents with respect.
# 371
I keep harping that Cecilia is Miyashiro’s girl? What facts do you want? She works for him. He has been promoting her for board since day one. Are you just blind or what?
Only a fool would NOT ask for more input from others regarding other candidates.
Are we better off today than 16 years ago. That’s a matter of opinion, but 16 years ago I couldn’t find 10 kids who could speak English in a school. They can now. Something must have changed.
Hell no it isn’t perfect, but since you are part of the instant gratification crowd maybe you should think about how long it took to screw up this district before you start wanting to change at least some progress.
I agree one more time Noji is not the best but just find me someone better. I don’t see you putting up a long list of Cecilias accomplishments other than civic awards that have nothing to do with the schools.
Give me a break. If you are in Cecilia’s corner then you complain next year if she gets elected and Miyashiro loses another lawsuit. When he causes a half million dollars lost from education and Cecilia remains quiet or votes to pay it, give me a jingle and tell me about it.
364 … thanks for the illuminating post claiming Noji is evil. I have never used the benchmark of evil as voting criteria, but Nojio’s 16 years of evilness, as an SUASD board member, has given me reason to rethink my vote in this race.
As far as your assertions about Miyrashiro and Cecilia. Why hasn’t the evil Noji remedied the horrific antics of Miyrashiro? Is Yamagata-Noji protecting Miyrashiro?
# 376
Those are good questions. Why hasn’t Noji looked into those misdeeds?
I could be wrong but isn’t the Superintendent supposed to be the one watching over the day to day operations and problems of the district? Then isn’t he or she supposed to take it to the board? Where was Mijares on this? It happened on his watch. Where is Jane Russo on this now? Some have written she is trying to clean things up. Others say she isn’t doing anything. I personally don’t know who is doing what on these matters.
I do know Seroder, also named in those lawsuits, bailed out as did a few other upper level management types. Could be something is happening but if not it should be.
The Jig is up! Don
#365 ….
Noji represents 16 years of the problem you mention. Your tactic to “stay the course” with the lesser of the two evils is utterly absurd.
Noji’s influence has allowed truly failing management styles to flourish. Mijares was smart to bail out. Here is a small portion of a conversation from a contact at Saddleback Hi:
If you get called into the principal
Here are additional suggestions in regards to rogue administrators and their unprofessional harassment: Request that the nature of the meeting be explained in writing. If the administrator dodges this request, be prepared for unprofessional attacks and accusations. Immediately start documenting bizarre and unprofessional conduct. Collect the names and some of the occurrences of other professionals at your site. Consider getting an attorney if the union won
How was the candidates forum on Thursday?
Any input!
To poster #368
Your arguments are at best specious. Noji is the Board President and therefore controls three votes and often 4 votes (aka a majority). So therefore Noji is not one fifth of the problem but 60% to 80% of the problem (do the math). I am aware of only one vote Noji has lost in the recent past and that occurred when Rosie switched sides and refused to hire former SAUSD Superintendent and Noji groupy Rudy Casterita’s head hunter firm to locate a Superintendent for SAUSD. Noji wanted Casterita’s company (no pun intended) because she was hell bent on controlling the next Superintendent. Everyone with any brains knows that he/she who controls the process controls the outcome. As for poster #366’s list of problems, all are true, and all occurred on Noji’s watch. Noji was the central supporter of Mijares and now that Mijares is gone and Richardson is not up for reelection then who should be held responsible for the mess SAUSD finds itself in? Where does the buck stop? Instead poster #368 wants to again muddy the waters and hold a low level employee for SAUSD, who happened to have the timidity to run against the great Nogi, responsible for all that is wrong with SAUSD. What chutputz! What audacity! What bankrupt thinking!
Flexibility is what seperates the thinking person from all the rest. There are few people who work for SAUSD that are more critical then I when it comes to the great gulf, the three time zones of daylight between what SAUSD says and what it does. So, it is in the spirit of flexibility and the recognition that there are people within the highest levels of the District who are trying to make things better. There are people in the District leadership who care less about making points with the Mayor of Santa Ana. There are SAUSD leaders who have decided that educating students is the central issue. Audrey Noji, Rob Richardson, Rosie Avila, Pat Machado, and Juan Lopez are not those people. But maybe, just maybe, Jane Russo is. After the Election on November 6th when Audrey Noji has been sent packing, people like Jane Russo need to have what they are doing looked at more carefully. When the bath water is thrown out, lets be careful and not throw out the baby.
A recap of the forum is featured on the OJ’s homepage.
By all accounts it appears this forum was staged to assist the beleagured Noji. Apparently some of the candidates were not informed that the questions would be asked in Spanish. Suprisingly, Noji showed up with prepared answers, in Spanish, to the questions. Must be nice to have an ally that sneaks you the questions before showtime.
The event was poorly attended.
10/29/2006 5:24 PM,
If you are certain, Noji and Rob are not serving in the best interest of the students and the community, why haven’t you started a recall petition. Maybe; just, maybe because you are an employee of the district and not a resident of Santa Ana.
Your likes and dislikes as an employee of the district will not necessary be same as those of a resident and a parent of the district.
Support Noji!
Nov 7
#383
First of all your logic escapes me being naive in things political. Your fundamental basis is that being board president Noji automatically controls 3 to 4 votes on the board. On it’s face, I’d have to reject that unless the board president has the power to overpower every other vote on the board.
I’m willing to listen to reason. Please explain how this happens. How does the board president automatically control 3 or 4 other votes of the board? Do they lose their parking spaces?
This isn’t congress where the majority leader makes deals over omnibus bills. If you can explain to me how Noji or any other board president can control other votes please do for those of us who are uninitiated.
Lynn Daucher has a dismal track record in regards to special needs students:
http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2006/10/parents-speak-out-against-daucher-part.html
Here is the link to the OJ recap of the candidates’ forum: http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2006/10/santa-ana-school-board-candidates.html
Luis Navarro, were you able to attend the forum? If so, what were your impressions?
Also,who really thinks the voters are going to oust Noji? She’s been there for 16 years thanks to an apathetic community. Who really thinks she’s gone this time? Anyone hear of any parents who are organizing behind any of the candidates?
This district needs transparency when it comes to legal expenses. ELD and special education have been mismanaged and made scapegoats as being targets of lawsuits. But we need to know how much of the money spent could have been avoided in the first place, if the district decision makers had actually made legitimate responses to concerns in a time managed way? There are too many foot dragging
#390 – Luis Navarro & company do not want to talk about the hard issues. No surprise, since Navarro’s candidate, Dr. Noji, believes the way to improve parental involvement is to bake cookies.
#368- Noji alcolyte
Sharpen your pencil. Here’s a math problem for you.
Numerous parajitos tell me the student enrollment at Valley West has been capped at 3,300! That’s a 32% increase in student capacity. Valley West’s temporary quarters – Godinez HS – was built to accommodate how many students?
Since Valley West has been capped, district administrators have directed Valley administrators to redirect new students to Santa Ana HS. SAHS is teetering at a 4,000 student enrollment. SAHS, built in the 1930s, is a sagging school structure, that far exceeds its capacity.
How many high school students attend Valley and Santa Ana HS?
SAUSD has five comprehensive high schools – Valley, Saddleback, Century, Segerstrom and SAHS. Why is it that 2 of the 5 high schools have more than 50% of the total SAUSD high school population?
Meanwhile, Segerstrom – built to accommodate 2,500 students – enjoys a meager student population of 1,700.
Voters should be asking why is it that Dr. Noji has failed to provide equal access to instructional materials, safe and decent school facilities, and qualified teachers for SAUSD.
Voters need to ask why is the district’s lowest performing high school being denied the opportunity to thrive in an environment conducive to the facilities they currently occupy?
Voters should be asking why is there preferential treatment for certain schools?
Noji is fully aware that these problems exist, yet they persist.
Asking voters to renew Noji’s term for another 4 years because she is the lesser of two evils is inane.
For the most part those who stump for Noji do not have children enrolled in SAUSD schools. Their children enjoy Mater Dei, St. Johns Lutheran or St. Joseph’s. I endorse a parents choice to send their child to their school of choice, however not at the expense of perpetuating inequities within our public schools.
Noji has failed our kids. She does not deserve another 4 years on the school board.
#392
I’m sorry. I missed the answer about how Noji controls 3 or 4 of the other board votes. I will reread your post and see if I just read too fast.
SAHS is a sagging school? I disagree. After remodeling it has far and above a better auditorium, quad, and thicker foundation than any of the newer schools that already show cracks on second floor walkways. It will probably be standing long after the new schools fall.
As to the student perportions, you have that right. Segerstrom should not be getting a free ride and there are a lot more problems with Valley West/Godinez than just the structure.
Just riddle me this. How does Noji control the other board members votes? If they are not free thinkers able to make decisions for themselves, then why are they on the board and why do you not have a problem with them?
#392
10/30/2006 10:50 PM,
Do you have any children in SAUSD?
If your answer is no; your dislikes for Dr. Noji are those of an un-happy SAUSD employee!
Your failure to sign your post indicates that you are an employee and not a resident of Santa Ana.
Like, I have stated in the past; disliking Dr. Noji or any other Board Member because he or she did not promise to you a pay hike, told you everything you wanted to hear and promised you the world to get your and your union
Luis Navarro writes …
“If you believe
#392
Your post prompted me to jump into the conversation and add my two cents. Century and Segerstrom have been capped as well. That leaves Saddleback and Santa Ana HS as the only comprehensive high schools currently accepting students.
Since Mr. Navarro represents himself as an SAUSD employee, perhaps he can speak to the revocation of the BCLAD stipend and the immersion of special ed students into the regular classroom setting.
A district parajito tells me that, at the directive of the Public Information Office, Jeff Gothard, was instructed to film the SAEF candidates forum last Thursday. Unfortunately those same powers that be are refusing to air the candidates forum. Did Dr. Noji instruct the Public Information Office to tape the event and then renege because she does not come off favorably?
There’s a chorus of chatter asking why public funds were used to film this event and could it be a perceived conflict of interest.
Stay tuned. The OJ team is on top of this one.
#397
Could it be your misinformed? Could it be that chorus of chatter has a name? I’m sorry I didn’t read it? What group of chorus are we discussing?
Could it be Noji had nothing to do with the delay or do you have someone with a verbal or written order to prevent the presentation of this video. Could it be you are full of unsubstantiated accusations?
I’m still waiting for someone or anyone to explain to me how Noji has control of 3 or 4 of the other board member votes. The accusation was put out there so lets read how that works. Again I’m not a Noji supporter. I just want some credibility to all these accusations.
Fred G, the new VP at Saddleback is off to a bad start. Spying on staff and writing up memos and letters of reprimand to keep in good favor with the principal. Hard at work destroying any kind of favorable impression any of the staff might have had of him. Use caution around this guy. He
The students have taken to photographing that nutty VP Carrigg when she stalks up to lunch tables as soon as the bell rings and starts demanding that students leave the area immediately. Nearly Pavolovian- Ring! Goes the bell and she’s off and snarling.
You can tell when she’s having one of those days -she even walks in a mean and angry way!
Who is supposed to be watching that campus?
SAUSD Board member, Rosie Avila thread:
http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2006/10/rosie-avila-embraces-democrats-in.html
SAUSD board member, Sal Tinajero thread:
http://o-juice.blogspot.com/2006/10/hit-pieces-against-sal-tinajero.html#comments
I’d like to know why public money was used to tape the forum and why there is no scheduled date to broadcast. I am waiting for a return call from Susan Brant. I left a message for her yesterday.
Grant Elementary parents are all worked up over the news admissions policy, the possibility of closing the school, and the poor food service. A number of parents expressed their concerns to the board with Alex Vega threatening to recall any board member who votes to close Grant.
Meanwhile a parent from Manuel Esqueda is crying foul regarding a variety of violations as they pertain to the school site council. Falsifying a signature on state documents and an illegal election were just two of his complaints.
Newsflash … the district’s entire school site program needs to be reevaluated. Every school site has a story of abuse and misuse of funds. It’s not unusal for site administrators to hand select teachers, parents and classified personnel to sit on the council.
Q
I am looking over the sample ballot getting ready for Tue.
I will vote for Palacios and Noji, I noticed a discrepancy on Cecilia Afuinaga. I happen to have one of her business cards and it says, she is a
My post from:
Luis.
In quoting Cecilia’s mantra did you happen to notice a common theme? Every one of them relates to building something for either the general public, the city, and even one refers to OC instead of SA. Not one goal seems to mention what she would do for SAUSD. In fact if I didn’t know better I’d swear she was running for city mayor instead of the school board.
I’d bet a steak dinner she never even wrote those comments. If you read them closely they almost all are the same reworded. Free thinker? I don’t believe so. Definately not someone that needs to be on our board.
Mr. Navarro –
The information you seek regarding Ms. Aguinaga’s seat on the Human Relation Commission can be accessed on the City of Santa Ana’s website.
Mr. Navarro, I’m sure there’s a reason you have failed to disclose that you are a former – and disgruntled – board member of the Santa Ana School Employee Assn.
I want to know why hasn’t CSEA gone after Mr. Navarro? I heard he and other CSEA Board members stole our hard earned money for themselves. When will the investigation be complete? I have called CSEA and they told me they were still looking into it. Mr. Navarro can set up a new blog at the O.C. jail!!
CSEA is currently investigating Mr. Navarro and other CSEA board members for stealing our hard earned union dues. I called CSEA and they said they would have information available soon.
I’m completely surprised it took this long for the Cecilia supporters or anti Noji voters to bring up Mr. Navarro’s Union matters. When all else fails, discredit anyone who actually made a point. Due course will determine Mr. Navarro’s situation. How about sticking to the questions raised about Cecilia?
I am still waiting for anyone to answer how Noji controls 3 or 4 votes on the board.
Luis Navarro is going to love sending his kids to Saddleback (Willard feeds into SHS) where the principal regularly rids the campus of talented, experienced teachers and replaces them with cheap newbies. No program can take root for long there. No innovations can survive the constant churn of the crummy administration whims. His kids are just going to love it when their favorite teachers keep leaving and as they look back during their senior year, realize that their best teachers won
Who cares about Luis Navarro, if anyone has ever talked to him, it’s easy to see that he is a product of SAUSD (smart as a rock). As for Noji controlling 3 or 4 votes on the board, I know she has one for sure with Rob Richardson and sometimes two with Sal or Rosie… All of them talk in private in violation of the Brown Act. I wish there were five new seats and five new members, but after looking at the other school districts in O.C., none of them are much better. The problem is that not to many people want to run for school board. It’s the lowest public offical position in the State. In most Cities, school board members us their position as a stepping stone to City Counsel or other public office. In Santa Ana, our board members can’t get a higher position so they stay 16 years or more.
CSEA’s investigation into Mr. Navarro’s alleged thievery of union dues is germane to this thread since the topic is “SAUSD Corruption Coming Out with Mijares Gone.”
Luis and his blogging ally are merely interested in stirring the pot.
Mr. Navarro certainly has an vested interst in maintaining the status quo
#413
So you know for sure, absolutely sure, that Noji is in violation of the Brown act by talking with Richardson sometimes with Avilla or Sal.
Perhaps you should read the Brown act before you start tossing allegations first. Here’s a link for you.
http://www.vanguardnews.com/brownact.htm#notapply
Read it closely. It’s long and boring but assuming you have a degree in law you should be able to follow it.
In short If you have proof Noji controls the others by violation of the Brown act, you need to report it, even anon, to the attorney generals office.
If you don’t have substantial proof, I would suggest you let it go. The Brown act is long and tedious and refers to secret meetings and proving a conversation between a couple of people should come with more than some wild “I know for sures”.
To posting # 409(12:46pm) and # 410 (12:52)pm
ANY and ALL charges that were brought against Mr. Navarro and other CSEA board members “have been dismissed and the matter is considered closed.” Please get your facts straight before you post.
To Post # 414
Poster # 416 just gave you the answer and a CSEA scandal, especially if the accusations were dropped, has NOTHING to do with SAUSD corruption OR Mijares.
CSEA is a union affiliated with SAUSD and its own entity. What goes on there only interacts with the district as far as representation goes and has nothing to do with any corruption within the district itself.
But as I said. You got your answer from # 416. So now do you have another strawman arguement to toss out?
What Mr. Navarro posted from Cecilias site should be read and considered by the voters. Her statements are all micro spin that tells no one what she would do for SAUSD, the employees or the kids!
By the way. I’m no ally of Mr. Navarro. In fact he and I don’t even like each other. I just happen to agree with his political take on this election.
To Poster # 413. Have you finished the “Brown Act” yet? If so and you still believe a violation of it exists then it is your dedicated and civic duty, not to mention a member of SAUSD to report it the authorities. If you have proof and don’t report it, you are obstructing justice. That my friend IS a crime.