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pasadenaindependent.com
Thursday, November 3, 2016 - November 9, 2016
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COMPLIMENTARY COPY VOLUME 20, NO. 44
Local Attorney and Teachers Aim to Bring Down Alleged Cheating Principal BY GUS HERRERA
Controversy surrounding Madison School Principal Juan Ruelas once again consumed the public comment portion of the Pasadena Unified School District’s (PUSD) board meeting last week. Much has been documented surrounding the situation – from defamation lawsuits, to a mass faculty exodus, Madison Elementary School has certainly dominated the PUSD board’s plate in recent past. There was even a petition signed by 346 community members (including 169 Madison parents) to remove the polarizing principal as recently as a couple of months ago. Last week’s criticisms focused on the accusation that Principal Ruelas cheated in order to manipulate student test scores to falsely display improvement under his administration. The accusations claim that Ruelas not only carried out cheating at his current position at Madison, but also during his
former role at Roosevelt Elementary School. “The so-called Roosevelt miracle did not happen! … it is an insult to the collective citizens of Pasadena,” proclaimed one passionate speaker. Attorney Dale Gronemeier took the podium on behalf of the Community Council for Equality and Justice at Madison during last Thursday’s meeting. In an attempt to be a “voice for the voiceless,” Gronemeier submitted a 41-page analysis to the board of the alleged cheating that took place at both Madison and Roosevelt under Ruelas. The analysis includes a summary of all the evidence presented up until now, in addition to new evidence. Also included is testimony from former teachers who claim to have first-hand knowledge of the cheating. Gronemeier demanded that the board take “imSEE PAGE 12
Controversy surrounding Madison Principal Juan Ruelas (LEFT) continues to dominate the PUSD board meetings. Ruelas is pictured here with Superintendent Brian McDonald. Photo by Terry Miller
The Sierra Madre Force Is Back in Full Effect After spending nine months reinforcing its depleted ranks to full force, the Sierra Madre Police Department resumed full patrol responsibilities for the city Sunday, ending an arrangement in which the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department handled nighttime law enforcement duties in the city, officials said. In a written statement, Sierra Madre Police Chief Larry Giannone said the transition started “another chapter in the history of the Sierra Madre PoSEE PAGE 13
The Sierra Madre Police Department resumed full patrol responsibilities. - Courtesy photo
Search & Rescue Finds Missing Hiker Dead at Hermit Falls Rescue teams were looking for a 63-year-old man who went hiking in Chantry Flat, above Sierra Madre last Thursday night and didn’t return home. His wife called the sheriff’s Temple station and reported the man missing around 11 p.m. Rescuers went in search of the missing hiker last Thursday night and the search resumed this past Friday morning. A sheriff’s helicopter was assisting search and rescue teams according to LASD
Search & Rescue Coordinator, Deputy Bill Harrington. This past Saturday, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department concluded their search for the missing hiker, 63-year-old John Richard King. Detectives reported his body was found in the water below Hermit Falls by the Antelope Valley Search and Rescue Team. It appears Mr. King, while hiking, slipped and fell approximately 40 feet into the water. Mr. King was proSEE PAGE 13
Missing hiker John Richard King. – Photo courtesy of LASD