Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: SAUSD

Former Santa Ana schoolteacher found guilty of molesting and filming girls in the Philippines

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment
Robert Ornelas, 2001

Robert Ornelas, 2001

Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 18, 2016

Former Orange County Teacher in Sex Tourism Case Found Guilty of Traveling to Philippines to Molest Young Girls and Filming the Abuse

SANTA ANA, California – A former teacher with the Santa Ana School District who traveled to the Philippines to engage in sex with two girls and produced videos of the abuse has been convicted in federal court of seven child exploitation offenses.

Robert Ruben Ornelas, 65, of Santa Ana, a onetime school teacher and girl’s softball coach, was found guilty yesterday afternoon of seven counts – two counts of engaging in sexual conduct in a foreign place, three counts of producing child pornography, and two counts of possessing child pornography. Continue reading→

Several lame Santa Ana political candidates are blowing off almost half the voters…

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Alfonso Alvarez, Angie Rosario Cano, Benjamin Vazquez, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, Democratic Party, Education, Jessica Byulnim Cha, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Republican Party, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Vietnamese, Vince Sarmiento 2 Comments

You are probably as sick of this year’s general election as I am. The last few weeks have given us all plenty to dislike about the top two presidential nominees – Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And here in Santa Ana several candidates aligned with the Democratic Party have tried to use Trump against Republicans running for non-partisan offices, in one of the most underhanded schemes I have ever seen in my over 20 years of covering Orange County politics.

These candidates, including Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Claudia Alvarez and the slate of SAUSD School Board candidates sponsored by the Santa Ana Educators’ Association (the teachers’ union) – including Rigo Rodriguez, Mark McLoughlin and Alfonso Alvarez, have forgotten that Santa Ana is not quite as Democratic as they think it is. Continue reading→

The SAUSD 2016 School Choice Fair is set for Oct. 22 in DTSA

Posted on by Posted in Education, Entertainment, Family, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

sausd-school-choice-fair

“We are SAUSD” School Choice Fair

Saturday, October 22, 2016

(October 17, 2016) – The Santa Ana Unified School District invites parents, students, and community members interested in learning about the unique opportunities and programs available to students at its 57 schools to attend “We are SAUSD School Choice Fair,” to be held Saturday, October 22, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in downtown Santa Ana on 4th Street.

“Our focus is to prepare all of our students for college and career beginning as early as preschool, so our School Choice Fair is a great opportunity for parents to get a head start on the variety of options that we have for their children so that they can plan and make the best decisions for their education,” said Dr. Stefanie Phillips, Superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District. Continue reading→

Santa Ana 2016 General Election Voter Guide

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Ana Urzua Alcaraz, Andrew Do, Angie Rosario Cano, Beatriz Mendoza, Benjamin Vazquez, Cecilia Aguinaga, Cecilia Iglesias, Claudia Alvarez, David De Leon, Jessica Byulnim Cha, Jose Solorio, Joshua Mauras, Juan Villegas, Mark McLoughlin, Matthew Schauer, Measure PP, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Nelida Mendoza-Yanez, Patrick Yrarrazaval-Correa, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Police Foundation, SAUSD, Steven Nguyen, Vince Sarmiento, Zeke Hernandez 2 Comments

The absentee ballots were sent to Santa Ana voters this week. So now it is time to vote! This is an important local election as the City Council majority is at stake. Our current City Council majority is trying to fool the voters into giving them a 700% raise via Measure PP. Needless to say we oppose Measure PP. If anything our City Council deserves less of our tax money, not more. Vote No on Measure PP!

Santa Ana City Council Election: Continue reading→

SAUSD School Board candidate McLoughlin ditches his colleagues Rodriguez and Alvarez

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Alfonso Alvarez, Education, Mark McLoughlin, Politics, Rigo Rodriguez, Santa Ana, SAUSD 6 Comments

mark-mcloughlin-mailer

It looks like SAUSD School Board candidate Mark McLoughlin has ditched the other two candidates who were also endorsed by the Santa Ana Educators’ Association – Dr. Rigoberto Rodriguez and Dr. Alfonso Alvarez. McLouthlin’s campaign just dropped a mailer that omits any mention of Rodriguez and Alvarez and encourages voters to only vote for McLoughlin. Continue reading→

Bauer endorsed for the SAUSD School Board by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Democratic Party, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

bruce-bauer-and-gavin-newsom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bruce Bauer, 949-293-5311 – bruce@bauer4sausd.com

GAVIN NEWSOM, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, ENDORSES BRUCE BAUER FOR SANTA ANA SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Ana, CA – Demonstrating his potent force in the race for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board race, Bruce Bauer, currently the Vice-Chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission collected yet another major statewide endorsement from California’s Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom. Gavin Newsom is currently the Lieutenant Governor for the State of California and was elected to that position in 2010. Prior to Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom was the Mayor of San Francisco. He is considered a top-contender for the 2018 governor’s race.

Responding to news of the endorsement, Bruce Bauer remarked: Continue reading→

Clown hysteria arrived at several Santa Ana public schools today

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD 25 Comments

clown-sighting

Clown hysteria has finally arrived at Santa Ana public schools. One of our readers is a local public school teacher at MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School. She reported today what she called “the strangest experience in nearly 30 years of teaching.” Apparently the teachers at her school were in their lounge, on a break, when a cafeteria worker screamed “Lock the doors! Call the police!” and numerous children were brought into the kitchen while the doors were locked. Outside, kids were running, screaming and some were even crying. The principal rang the nutrition bell early and one of the teachers proclaimed, “They have ruined my nutrition!” Continue reading→

The SAUSD school board candidates all agreed with each other at tonight’s forum

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Alfonso Alvarez, Beatriz Mendoza, Bruce T. Bauer, Democratic Party, Education, Mark McLoughlin, Politics, Rigo Rodriguez, Santa Ana, SAUSD 3 Comments

Latino Health Access hosted an SAUSD School Board candidates forum tonight. All of the candidates participated except for Cecilia Iglesias and Angie Cano.

Norberto Santana, the Editor of the Voice of OC, a digital publication, served as the event moderator. The questions however were not posed by him. Instead a panel of local intermediate and high school kids asked the questions. Continue reading→

The next SAUSD School Board Candidates Forum is set for Oct. 17

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

sausd-board-candidate-forum-on-october-17-2016

Santa Ana Youth and Government is hosting an SAUSD School Board Candidates Forum on October 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 1532 E Chestnut, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

This is the 3rd candidates’ forum hosted by the Santa Ana Youth and Government Delegation.

I am told that all of the SAUSD School Board candidates will be appearing at this forum. They include: Continue reading→

The entire Santa Ana City Council has endorsed Bruce Bauer for the SAUSD School Board

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Bruce T. Bauer, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

bruce-bauer-for-the-sausd-school-board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bruce Bauer, 949-293-5311, bruce@bauer4sausd.com

SANTA ANA CITY COUNCILMEMBERS UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSE BRUCE BAUER FOR SANTA ANA SCHOOL BOARD

Santa Ana, CA – The Councilmembers of the City of Santa Ana have unanimously endorsed Bruce Bauer in the race for the Santa Ana Unified School District Board. Bruce Bauer is currently the Vice-Chair of the City of Santa Ana Planning Commission.

The City of Santa Ana City Council is composed of six members who are elected on a City-wide basis: Continue reading→

Man charged with attacking and trying to murder an SAUSD School Police Officer

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16CF2553

Date: October 4, 2016

MAN ARRAIGNED FOR ASSAULTING AND ATTEMPTING TO MURDER SCHOOL POLICE OFFICER BY GOUGING HIS EYE AND CHOKING HIM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged and arraigned yesterday for assaulting and attempting to murder a school police officer by gouging his eye and choking him. Enrique Martinez, 28, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of attempted murder on a peace officer, one felony count of attempted mayhem, one felony count of resisting an executive officer, one felony count of assault on a school police officer, one felony count of battery on a peace officer, one felony count of reckless driving while evading a peace officer, and one felony count of burglary. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Martinez is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Oct. 13, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

SAUSD School Board candidates forum set for Oct. 6 at Latino Health Access

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD 4 Comments

sausd-school-board-candidates-forum

The  Santa Ana Unified School District Board of Education candidates will be appearing at a candidates forum on Oct. 6, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Latino Health Access, located at 450 W 4th St., in Santa Ana.

Learn how they will:

– Invest in youth
– Use local control and accountability plan (LCAP) funds
– Improve school climate
– Support restorative justice Continue reading→

Meet the Santa Ana City Council and School Board candidates today at the Assistance League of Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

The Flower Park and Artesia Pilar Neighborhood Associations are hosting a meet and greet with the Santa Ana City Council and SAUSD candidates today, Oct. 1, 2016, at 10 a.m., at the Assistance League of Santa Ana.

Free Coffee & Refreshments will be provided. This is your opportunity to personally ask candidates questions that are important to you. Continue reading→

The SAUSD’s 2016 Walk to School Day is set for Oct. 5

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

sausd-walk-to-school-day

Fitness and Safety Promoted at Walk-to-School Day – October 5, 2016

Kennedy Elementary School

Join the Santa Ana Unified School District, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Santa Ana School Police and Santa Ana Police Department as they participate in the Annual International Walk to School Day. Students, parents, and community members will take part in this global event to bring awareness to the importance of practicing safe walking, biking, traffic skills, and physical activity on October 5, 2016. Continue reading→

A man tried to murder an SAUSD school police officer today after invading a home

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Vince Sarmiento 6 Comments

We have written quite a bit this year about the massive increase in violent crime in Santa Ana – and how shorthanded our police department is. What we don’t often talk about is how much our SAUSD School Police do to keep our community safe.

Today, for example, there was an outrageous episode that started just before 3 p.m., when the SAUSD School Police Dispatch got a call from SAUSD employees who were accosted by a male suspect while they were in a parked vehicle in the parking lot between one of our local elementary schools and one of our city parks. I am withholding their identity to protect my source – but I can tell you that this happened in Councilman Roman Reyna’s Ward. Continue reading→