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Thursday, February 2, 2017 - February 8, 2017
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Beleaguered Madison Elementary Principal Juan Ruelas May Leave at Year’s End
VOLUME 21, NO. 5
PUSD Superintendent Refuses Comment Citing ‘It’s a Personnel Matter’ BY TERRY MILLER
Pasadena Independent has learned from multiple sources that PUSD’s contentious Madison Elementary school principal, Juan Ruelas, will be leaving the school and possibly the district, effective the end of the current school year. Meanwhile, officials at PUSD are mum and the silence is deafening. The latest in a series on incidents that have garnered media attention took place Jan. 13 and reported by 30-year, PUSD veteran teacher, Patricia Guzman, which occurred in the Madison Cafeteria. Guzman alleged in a disruptive conduct report to PUSD officials on Jan. 18 that Principal Juan Ruelas threatened her well-being and safety. The Pasadena Police Department initiated an investigation after the report was filed. Documents obtained by Pasadena Independent indicate that a Government Code/Claim for Assault and an Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress was filed against Ruelas and PUSD for the incident
on Jan. 13. PUSD School Board members refused to comment on the matter Tuesday afternoon citing that this is a “personnel matter” and asked Pasadena Independent to contact the superintendent, Brian McDonald, who will not speak to the press. Guzman has repeatedly claimed that Ruelas’ conduct was “part of a pattern of harassment and retaliation, including false charges of child abuse, insubordination and defamation.” The complaint reads in part:
“Claimant Patricia Guzman ("Ms. Guzman") is a first grade teacher at Madison Elementary School ("Madison"). Guzman has been an employee for the Pasadena Unified School District ("PUSD") for 30 years. During her tenure with PUSD, Guzman has consistently received superior performance reviews. Guzman is also SEE PAGE 10
The 2017 PUSD School Board Candidates Up Close and Personal BY GUS HERRERA
In preparation for the upcoming 2017 PUSD School Board Elections, to be held March 7, Pasadena Independent reached out to this year’s candidates and asked them to complete a five-part questionnaire. Each candi-
date received the same five questions. This is part two in an ongoing series. District 3 Candidate: Adrienne Ann Mullen, Ed.D. Please describe your relationship/history with the
City of Pasadena: I have lived in Northwest Pasadena for the past 18 years. I have two children currently enrolled in PUSD schools, an eighth grader at SEE PAGE 11
Madison’s Principal, Juan Ruelas, has been under fire from teachers and parents for 18 months. Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
Celebrate 15 Years of the Village Movement
To celebrate its 15th anniversary and the Village movement it inspired, Beacon Hill Village in Boston has invited Villages around the country to participate “virtually” in an event featuring Dr. Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, author of the seminal book “Being Mortal.” The event will be live-streamed to Villages across the United States and Pasadena Village will broadcast the live event on Feb. 13,
at 236 W. Mountain St., Suite 104, Pasadena 91103 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dr. Gawande is a renowned surgeon, public health researcher and writer, who will speak about the value of community and opportunities as we grow older. While Dr. Gawande’s book title alludes to death, the stories in it are actually about SEE PAGE 11
THE LARGEST Saturday, Feb. 4 ONE OF CAMP FAIRS ON + 100 CAMPS FOR BOYS +GIRLS K-12 THE WEST COAST! WESTRIDGE SCHOOL • Free Admission • Learn more at Westridge.org/SOF SEE PAGE 10
SEE PAGE 11