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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: SAUSD

SAUSD COVID-19 free student meal update

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The SAUSD has announced the following important changes to their meal service system beginning April 1, 2020, as they continue to serve our Santa Ana Unified School District community.

Meals will continue to be served from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the following 13 locations (see pictures), while supplies last. 

Student I.D. numbers are required for enrolled students; I.D. numbers from non-SAUSD institutions will also be accepted. A student’s first and last name may be used in place of an I.D. number. 

Santa Ana Unified is still providing free to-go meals for students

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Due to the closure of SAUSD schools from March 16 to April 10, the District’s Nutrition Services has transitioned to a multiday meal service model. SAUSD is now distributing to-go meals two days per week.

• On Mondays, SAUSD will be serving two breakfasts and two lunches (to cover Monday and Tuesday.)
• On Wednesdays, SAUSD will be serving three breakfasts and three lunches (to cover Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.)

These meals are FREE Grab N’ Go breakfast and lunch meals for all children ages 1-18 that will be available for pick-up at any of the 13 school sites from 8-11 a.m.

The goal is to limit the amount of time families need to leave their homes for nutrition.

For more information, go to www.sausd.us/.

Former instructor charged with molesting a Middle College High School student

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Santa Ana, Calif. – A former Santa Ana College welding instructor has been charged with four felonies for molesting a 15-year-old high school student enrolled in his class. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying other possible victims of the instructor who taught at several high schools and community colleges across Southern California.

Santa Ana Police Special Crimes Section detectives arrested George Moreno, 59, of Cherry Valley, at Alessandro High School in the City of Hemet on January 7, 2020. He is currently employed through the Riverside County Office of Education as a welding instructor at the high school.

Moreno has been charged with four felony counts of lewd acts with a 15-year-old child. He faces a maximum sentence of five years if convicted. He was released from the Orange County Jail after posting $50,000 bail.

Moreno was a welding instructor at Santa Ana College from 2007 to 2018. Students from Santa Ana Middle College High School, which is part of the Santa Ana Unified School District, were enrolled in his class during that time.

In August 2019, a woman reported to Santa Ana police that she had been sexually molested by Moreno beginning in 2015, when she was 15 years old. The victim reported numerous incidents that occurred on campus over a three-year period.

“Teachers are entrusted with our most precious resource – our children,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Classrooms should be safe place where children can learn – not hunting grounds for predators.”

Authorities are asking for anyone with additional information to contact Santa Ana Police Detective Gerry Corona at 714-245-8343, Gcorona@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. Devin Crowley of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

The SAUSD responds to last night’s racist signs at the Segerstrom football game

Posted on by Posted in Education, Football, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports 12 Comments

As we reported last night on our Facebook page, at 11:45 p.m., yet another episode of racism occurred at an SAUSD football game, which featured teams from Segerstrom High School versus Marina High School. The incident has blown up today and resulted in the release of a joint statement by the SAUSD and the Huntington Beach Union High School District:

JOINT STATEMENT FROM SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD PRESIDENT VALERIE AMEZCUA AND HUNTINGTON BEACH UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD PRESIDENT DR. DUANE DISHNO REGARDING OCT. 25, 2019 FOOTBALL GAME:

Last evening, an incident occurred during a football game between Segerstrom High School and Marina High School in which two student-generated signs with racial undertones were displayed near the entrance of the stadium and in front of the snack bar.

“Segerstrom students and parents saw the signs and received them as offensive.

“Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) officials have shared their concerns with Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) administrators regarding the incident, and are working together to resolve the issue and to use the unfortunate incident as a teachable moment for students.

“HBUHSD and Marina High School accept responsibility for the incident and apologize to the students, families and staff of Segerstrom High School.

“SAUSD and HBUHSD believe strongly in the principles of diversity and inclusion. Every student deserves to feel valued and respected. What happened Friday night was offensive and contrary to both districts’ guiding principles – and for that, HBUHSD apologizes.

“The Marina High School Principal has also apologized and will be meeting with the Principal of Segerstrom High School to consider next steps in collaboration with Segerstrom through restorative circles to help strengthen relationships as well as provide diversity training for Marina’s Associated Student Body and other student organizations.

“HBUHSD has reached out to the Orange County Human Relations Commission and to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), to assist in working with Marina students to build greater understanding of why what occurred was wrong and how we can build and maintain a strong relationship based on mutual respect.

“The safety, along with the social-emotional and mental well-being of each and every one of our students, is of utmost importance to SAUSD.

“Santa Ana Unified will employ Restorative Practices to address the issue; staff will meet when school reconvenes Monday to converse with Segerstrom students who were impacted by the incident; and communicate with our parents and families our joint district plan to resolve the concern.

“Both districts want to assure students, parents, staff and community that both HBUHSD and SAUSD reject racism in any form in our schools and community and that it is never acceptable.”

The OC Sports Zone reported that Marina won the game 25-14 to inch closer to its first league title since 1986.

The SAUSD’s annual Family & Community Engagement Conference is set for this Saturday

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The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is holding the annual FACE (Family & Community Engagement) Conference from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Santa Ana High School.

https://www.facebook.com/sausd/videos/2584907904895207/

The conference, which is free and open to all SAUSD parents, will include workshops, a School Choice Fair, and a Community Resource Fair. Free child care and transportation will be provided from SAUSD schools. To participate, visit the front office or Wellness Center at your child’s school.

The SAUSD will be conducting the 2019 Wall of Fame Induction on Sep. 9

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The SAUSD will be conducting a Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Monday, Sep. 9, 2019, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Santa Ana Public Schools Sports Complex, located at 1801 S. Greenville St., in Santa Ana, off of Raitt St., between Edinger Ave. and Glenwood Place.

The 2019 SAUSD Wall of Fame inductees include:

Click here to RSVP. Your RSVP is required if you would like to attend.

The SAUSD is seeking public input on their Superintendent search

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The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Board of Education is seeking feedback from staff, parents, community members, and students, on the desired characteristics and skills that are critical for the next Superintendent of SAUSD.

Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to let the folks at the SAUSD know that we don’t want them to pay their next Superintendent over $400,000 a year in pay and benefits, which is what they paid the last Superintendent.

Several neighborhood meetings are set where you can find out more and let the SAUSD know about how you feel about the hiring of a new Superintendent:

  • Thursday, August 29, 6-7 p.m., McFadden Intermediate School (Theatron), 2701 S. Raitt St.
  • Tuesday, Sep. 3, 9-10 a.m., Century High School (Library), 1401 S. Grand Ave.
  • Wed., Sep. 4, 6-7 p.m., Santiago Elementary School (Multi-Purpose Room, 2212 N. Baker St.

Childcare and translation services will be available at these public meetings.

Input may also be provided by completing an online survey by September 13, 2019 at www.sausd.us/search and/or by attending one of four neighborhood meetings, which begin Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Please click here for details.

To read this news in Spanish or Vietnamese click here.

The candidates are set for the SAUSD Special Election on Nov. 5

Posted on by Posted in 2019 Elections, Carolyn Torres, Cecilia Aguinaga, David Benavides, Gisela Contreras, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

The candidates are set for the upcoming SAUSD School Board Special Election, which will be held on Nov. 5, to replace Cecilia Iglesias, who was elected to the Santa Ana City Council.

The candidates include:

  • Cecilia Aguinaga – a Realtor who has run for the SAUSD School Board a few times before. Aguinaga has served on various City Commissions over the years. She currently serves on the Santa Ana Housing and Redevelopment Commission.
  • David Benavides – a former Santa Ana City Councilman who now heads up a non-profit, Kidworks.
  • Gisela Contreras – a parent/businesswoman who is endorsed by Iglesias.
  • Carolyn Torres – a 7th grade teacher who has very liberal views.

I am surprised that Benavides is running and disappointed that Angie Cano is not running. Cano has come close to getting elected to the SAUSD School Board in a couple previous races.

This Special Election will be held concurrently with the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 4 Special Election, which will replace Benavides’ old friend Roman Reyna, who had to quit the City Council after he got caught fudging his campaign paperwork.

The SAUSD will be giving away backpacks and other free stuff on August 3

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On Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019 thousands of eager Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) students and their families will converge upon the Santa Ana Public Schools Sports Complex, at 1801 S. Greenville St. in Santa Ana, to take part in the annual Back to School Bash.

During the popular event, the District is anticipating providing nearly 3,000 backpacks filled with supplies to students, along with other free giveaways. In addition, families will have the opportunity to receive information from representatives of nearly 40 local agencies at resource booths set up on site.

The fun-filled and educational gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s designed as a one-stop event to ensure that each student has the necessary tools to get the school year off to a good start, which is essential to their academic success.

Admission to the Back to School Bash is free. Here are just a few of the support services and free offerings that will be available to parents and students (while supplies last):

• Free backpacks and school supplies
• Free health screenings
• Free registration support
• Free food samples

NEW SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS AUG. 12

Instruction in SAUSD resumes Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. The 2019-20 school year will bring with it new programs and facilities across the District, with the goal of providing additional educational options and opportunities for students. These enhancements include the addition of Full Day Kindergarten at all school sites, the opening of Romero-Cruz (PreK-8) Academy, the addition of a Dual Language program at Monroe Elementary School, the expansion of the Engage 360° Extended Learning Program, and much more.

The SAUSD has jobs available in their after school program

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The SAUSD is looking to hire 95 After-School Instructional Support Providers, at a starting salary of $16.35 per hour. A high school diploma and at least 48 hours of General Education College Units is required.

Educational experience should be supplemented by training and/or working with children in a learning situation.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.). This is a non-benefited, Grant Funded position.

Click here to apply.

Former SAUSD volleyball coach and security guard gets only one year in prison after having sex with four girls

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Education, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports 5 Comments

Omar Rojas, 28, a high school volleyball coach and security guard for the Santa Ana Unified School District’s police force pleaded guilty to having sex with four girls and has been sentenced to only a year in jail, according to the O.C. Register.

Rojas, a Santa Ana resident, pleaded guilty back on Friday, June 7, to having sex with four teen girls. Apparently he worked out a plea deal with the O.C.D.A. that included waiving him a year’s worth of credit behind bars since he was arrested last August.

Rojas was originally arrested for having sex with three teenage girls on his volleyball team then a fourth victim was added to charges later.

Rojas will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The victims included two 17-year-old girls and a 15-year-old girl who were on the volleyball team at Century High School in 2015, according to the SAPD.

Rojas was so brazen that he would have the victims excused from class so he could meet up with them to have sex on campus during school.

At the time of the crimes Rojas was not a school safety officer.

Rojas worked as a District Safety Officer at Sierra Preparatory Academy, according to the Santa Ana Unified School District.

The SAUSD will offer free breakfast and lunch for local youth at sixty locations this summer

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SANTA ANA, CA – May 30, 2019 – During the regular school year at the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), all students have access to meals each school day at no charge. Unfortunately, many young children are at risk of experiencing food insecurity during the summer. The summer time can be a challenging time to find adequate nutritious meals as offered during the regular school year.

In order to ensure that no child goes hungry when the regular school year is not in session, SAUSD offers nutritious breakfasts and lunches at no charge for children between the ages of 1 and 18 during the summer months. The meals are offered at 60 participating locations, Monday through Friday, throughout the city of Santa Ana.

Last year, the summer feeding program served approximately 14,000 meals per day. We encourage all children in Santa Ana who wish to receive a nutritious meal at no charge to visit one of our sites this summer.

Please see the attached flyer for a list of participating sites, dates, times and additional rules.

For more information, call the Nutrition Services Department at 714-431-1900, or visit www.sausd.us under NEWS.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Please click HERE for a copy of the schedule and list of participating sites.

The SAUSD is going after the O.C. School of the Arts’ funding

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Media Statement from SAUSD

Earlier this year, the Santa Ana Unified School District discovered that several charters under its authorization, including the Orange County School for the Arts, had not been making required contributions from their general fund revenue to support special education services for students with disabilities residing in Santa Ana, including those attending schools operated by the District and charter schools. California law and each of the charter school’s charters requires them to contribute a fair share of their general fund revenue to provide special education and related services needed by Santa Ana residents in excess of funding provided for those services from the state and federal government.

The Santa Ana Unified School District informed each charter school it has authorized that participates in its special education local plan area (SELPA) of this required contribution and sought to meet and work collaboratively with them to make the contribution required by law and their charters to students with disabilities residing in Santa Ana. The District expressed its goal to work collaboratively with our charter schools to ensure that the needs of all of our special education students are being met in accordance with existing laws and authorized charters. Contrary to OCSA’s statement, the District has not “threatened” all of its charters with withholding of property tax payments. When informed of its delinquency in making contribution to district wide special education cost that exceed funding, only OCSA responded by steadfastly refusing to make any contribution and confirming they never intended to make any contribution to special education costs in the past, the present or the future. OCSA took the position as they have in the current statement, that it should be able to make its contribution from special education funds instead of the general education revenue that must, by law and charter, be used to contribute. Despite the District’s willingness to work towards resolution without litigation, including a delay of withholding of property tax transfer authorized by their charter, OCSA chose instead to rush into court in pursuit of legal action against the District. It is for these reasons alone that OCSA has forced the invocation of terms referenced in its own charter requiring the withholding of payments.

The Santa Ana Unified School District continues to work collaboratively and amicably with the other charters who have not chosen to turn their backs on the needs of special education students in the Santa Ana Unified SELPA, as OCSA has decided to do. Although OCSA has the ability to make the contribution, with a fund balance in excess of $25 million in March, they refuse to make any contribution as required by law and their charter. After receiving notice from the District, OCSA transferred the funding out of the charter school’s balance, and are now claiming an inability to pay their obligation.

Simply put, OCSA has deliberately and systematically sought to avoid its legal obligation as a public charter school to contribute to excess costs all public schools bear in meeting the educational needs of special needs students. When approached in good faith to work out a fair settlement, they chose instead to expend their funds on court battles and not the needs of special education students. We believe that the children of Santa Ana deserve better.

Santa Ana College student arrested for stalking a woman and making threats to Century High School

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A 20-year-old convicted stalker, Kevin Cacho, was charged Tuesday with making threats against Century High School as well as a woman he met while both were students at the Santa Ana campus and subsequently rejected his romantic advances, according to the O.C. Register.

Cacho pleaded not guilty to one count each of making criminal threats and violating a domestic violence order with a prior conviction for domestic violence, both felonies. He must return to the court on Feb. 14, which ironically is Valentine’s Day, for a pretrial hearing in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Cacho reportedly sent threats to the high school and the victim, who befriended him while they were both students at Century, according to the SAPD.

Cacho was apparently “infatuated” with the unnamed woman in high school, but when he told her this she indicated that she was not attracted to him. Things escalated at that point.

Cacho was already sentenced previously on Oct. 10, after he plead guilty to stalking the same woman. At the time he was sentenced to 364 days in jail.

However Cacho seemed not to have learned his lesson. On Jan. 8, the victim received a number of “intimidating” text messages, from an unknown phone number. from an unknown phone number.

The SAPD arrested Cacho, a Santa Ana College student, on Friday.

SAUSD to Showcase 55 Schools, 11 Programs During School Choice Fair on Saturday

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SANTA ANA, CA (Jan. 25, 2019) – The public is invited to learn about the variety of programs offered by the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) during the 5th Annual School Choice Fair from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana.

Representatives of 55 SAUSD schools and 11 SAUSD-related programs will provide information to the community about the District’s award-winning campuses and wide selection of programs, including STEM, early learning, dual language, Speech & Debate, and Visual and Performing Arts, in addition to its 34 career pathways, nationally ranked culinary program, and more. In addition, 18 school music groups – ranging from chamber singers, to dance teams, to mariachi groups – will provide entertainment throughout the day.

MainPlace Mall is at 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705.

For photos from last year’s School Choice Fair, click here.

Founded in 1888, the Santa Ana Unified School District is the 7th largest school district in California and the largest school district in Orange County. The District educates approximately 50,000 students at 57 schools throughout the city of Santa Ana. Approximately 60% of District students are English learners with Spanish being the most common language, and approximately 91% of the student population is eligible for free and reduced-price meals.