By Terry Miller
Nearly half of PUSD Madison Elementary School’s 20 teachers have left the school since the appointment of a new principal this summer, according to the Pasadena Unified School District.
The mass departure follows Superintendent Brian McDonald’s contentious judgment to move Principal Juan Ruelas from Roosevelt Elementary School to Madison.
His placement sparked protests and criticism from some teachers and parents who said Ruelas is excessively strict and rude.
Teachers have complained that he reduced their access to classrooms, hired aides to report on them, and instituted rules that hurt children. The complaints have filled the public comment at school board meetings for months yet Superintendent McDonald is holding tight his decision.
Hilda Ramirez Horvath, from PUSD sent us the following email in a request for comment:
“Families come to Pasadena and to Madison Elementary School seeking opportunities for their children. That’s why PUSD has made a significant investment in Madison Elementary School in the last three months in order to ignite the academic achievement of its students, build the capacity of its staff and families to partner for student success, and move the school toward fulfilling its potential.
“Although nine teachers have requested voluntary transfers from Madison School during this time, PUSD is now finalizing replacements for the vacancies. Principal Ruelas has engaged the school community, including students and parents, to participate in the interviews. Almost every position is filled and recruitment is underway for the remainder.
“Principal Ruelas continues to host Friday morning ‘Coffee with the Principal’ to build parent participation and family engagement in student achievement. Recent parent education opportunities have included a multi-session computer class, an attendance workshop and more. Additional classes are scheduled in the months ahead. Parent and community volunteers are now being trained and screened for health and child safety according to state and district guidelines. A new parent/teacher resource room on the campus provides enhanced opportunities to build achievement-focused partnerships.
“As you may already know, Juan Ruelas was appointed principal of Madison because of his success at Roosevelt Elementary. Madison Elementary has been one of the lowest performing schools in PUSD.”