SAUSD's transparency questioned as dual crises on staff cuts, CIF fallout ensue
— First published Apr. 22, 2025, 1:00 PM – Updated Apr. 22, 2025, 1:29 PM —
The Santa Ana Unified School District is battling two major problems: its budget deficit that has resulted in nearly 400 pink slips to certificates staff and fallout of Segerstrom’s CIF sanctions. As frustration grows among students, staff, parents and taxpayers, there are more questions than answers and an extreme concern regarding transparency.
Last Thursday, District officials escorted out Head Baseball Coach Erasmo Ramirez and Segerstrom High School Principal David Casper after the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) verified the District’s suspicions of bylaw violations brewing within the baseball program.
As the District and Superintendent Jerry Almendarez release statements, students are driving the narrative as officials aren’t answering the question on everyone’s mind: What actions occurred that violated CIF bylaws?
What does the District say on the CIF sanctions?
The Santanero reached out to SAUSD Chief Communications Officer Fermin Leal for answers. He denied the validity of the rumors, but with more students confirming a similar story, the District's image of transparency is cracking.
"All the information we can provide currently has been shared on our social media. I would direct you to CIF for details on their findings and their sanctions imposed on Segerstrom," Leal said.
CIF, in its press release, said they would not answer further questions relating to Segerstrom's probationary status.
Why did Segerstrom get on probation and why did SAUSD remove Ramirez and Casper?
The following is a summary of rumors that have been allowed to spread due to limited and confirmed information released by CIF and SAUSD.
The Unofficial Story
Students have told The Santanero rumors that involve Ramirez and a “feeder program,” in which trains student-athletes during off-season and sometimes requires parents to pay for the training.
This program is alleged to have been used as leverage by Ramirez and/or the baseball program when selecting varsity baseball players after tryouts. Student-athletes who did not participate in the off-season program were less likely to have made it to varsity. Of course, all alleged despite Segerstrom alumni confirming similar experiences in the program.
One of the alleged claims is regarding the modification of student records, specifically their addresses. Segerstrom is a neighborhood-first, lottery-second school, despite not being considered an official fundamental high school.
It is alleged that student-athletes who participated in the feeder program and did not live within the Segerstrom boundaries had their official record changed to an address to bypass the lottery process, allowing the players to participate in the baseball program. It is not clear if Ramirez or another person in the program co-conspirited with Capser to do this. It is alleged an email trail exists (The Santanero has filed a PRA request to view all communications and the investigative report [if any]).
The District began investigating the program after allegedly receiving a tip from a parent of one of the student-athletes who were allegedly barred from playing due to ineligibilities. The parent allegedly spilled all of the programs’ alleged corruption and prompted officials to confirm the parents’ accusations. Partial truth to this comes from a social media post circulating a team photo with one of the players’ face covered with a rat emoji.
Moreover, accusations of grade manipulation surfaced. Among the student body, claims of players' grades being altered so they could reach the minimum GPA requirement to play were said frequently.
Additionally, students told The Santanero earlier this week of another rumor spreading on campus that Segerstrom was a target by District administration due to years of litigation such as sexual harassment and abuse dealt with previously, suggesting the closure and sale of the campus to aid in budget constraints. This also pertained to Godinez Fundamental.
"I have no context to provide on any rumor. I am not aware of anything detailed here," Leal said.
Again, these are only rumors and have not been confirmed by the Santa Ana Unified School District. The official truth of the matter may never be put into light even with public records requests.
According to a statement issued via ParentSquare on Thursday, the District investigated and witnessed said violations. They then asked CIF to conduct their own investigation. CIF thereafter confirmed four violations of its bylaws:
CIF Southern Section Bylaw 500.2 – Forfeiture Status
Fallout of the removal of Ramirez and Casper
The fallout has resulted in students walking out in protest, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Casper and Coach Ramirez, adding the decision to do so was overkill.
Faculty have protested against the District's decision in removing Casper and some have decided to skip out on graduation and prom, even some students have threatened to not attend school as its the main way the District receives its funding.
Students walking out of class in protest demanding the reinstatement of Capser, Ramirez on Monday. (Anonymous)
On Monday, students staged a peaceful walkout protest. As District officials confirm that student activities such as prom are going as planned, students told The Santanero that wasn’t the case, adding they felt threatened and intimidated by the school administrations' tactics in compliance such as taking down protest posters.
The Santanero reached out to CIF for tallies regarding the number of probationary statuses issued categorized under public and private schools and is awaiting a response.
Transperent SAUSD, a new advocacy page, posted via Facebook Tuesday requesting parents to "share their stories." It is unclear at this time who is behind the page. Nevertheless, Jaguar students, staff and parents are expected to voice their concerns at tonight’s school board meeting.
Update on layoffs
Teachers, counselors, and other certificated staff fought for their jobs through week-long hearings. It is not clear how much faculty has been spared, but 389 pink slips were issued in March.
An update regarding layoffs is expected to be addressed tonight. A demonstration will occur at the District headquarters this afternoon ahead of tonight’s school board meeting.
For decades, police have shut down streets to deter Easter Sunday lowrider cruisers, but with cruising now legal and the culture evolving, critics call it a waste of taxpayer money and a hassle for residents trying to attend mass and celebrate.
An alleged 'pay-for-play' scandal has barred the Jaguars varsity baseball team from playoffs until next spring, but students say that's not cause for removal of their principal.
— First published Apr. 22, 2025, 1:00 PM – Updated Apr. 22, 2025, 1:29 PM —
The Santa Ana Unified School District is battling two major problems: its budget deficit that has resulted in nearly 400 pink slips to certificates staff and fallout of Segerstrom’s CIF sanctions. As frustration grows among students, staff, parents and taxpayers, there are more questions than answers and an extreme concern regarding transparency.
Last Thursday, District officials escorted out Head Baseball Coach Erasmo Ramirez and Segerstrom High School Principal David Casper after the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) verified the District’s suspicions of bylaw violations brewing within the baseball program.
As the District and Superintendent Jerry Almendarez release statements, students are driving the narrative as officials aren’t answering the question on everyone’s mind: What actions occurred that violated CIF bylaws?
What does the District say on the CIF sanctions?
The Santanero reached out to SAUSD Chief Communications Officer Fermin Leal for answers. He denied the validity of the rumors, but with more students confirming a similar story, the District's image of transparency is cracking.
"All the information we can provide currently has been shared on our social media. I would direct you to CIF for details on their findings and their sanctions imposed on Segerstrom," Leal said.
CIF, in its press release, said they would not answer further questions relating to Segerstrom's probationary status.
Why did Segerstrom get on probation and why did SAUSD remove Ramirez and Casper?
The Unofficial Story
Students have told The Santanero rumors that involve Ramirez and a “feeder program,” in which trains student-athletes during off-season and sometimes requires parents to pay for the training.
This program is alleged to have been used as leverage by Ramirez and/or the baseball program when selecting varsity baseball players after tryouts. Student-athletes who did not participate in the off-season program were less likely to have made it to varsity. Of course, all alleged despite Segerstrom alumni confirming similar experiences in the program.
One of the alleged claims is regarding the modification of student records, specifically their addresses. Segerstrom is a neighborhood-first, lottery-second school, despite not being considered an official fundamental high school.
It is alleged that student-athletes who participated in the feeder program and did not live within the Segerstrom boundaries had their official record changed to an address to bypass the lottery process, allowing the players to participate in the baseball program. It is not clear if Ramirez or another person in the program co-conspirited with Capser to do this. It is alleged an email trail exists (The Santanero has filed a PRA request to view all communications and the investigative report [if any]).
The District began investigating the program after allegedly receiving a tip from a parent of one of the student-athletes who were allegedly barred from playing due to ineligibilities. The parent allegedly spilled all of the programs’ alleged corruption and prompted officials to confirm the parents’ accusations. Partial truth to this comes from a social media post circulating a team photo with one of the players’ face covered with a rat emoji.
Moreover, accusations of grade manipulation surfaced. Among the student body, claims of players' grades being altered so they could reach the minimum GPA requirement to play were said frequently.
Additionally, students told The Santanero earlier this week of another rumor spreading on campus that Segerstrom was a target by District administration due to years of litigation such as sexual harassment and abuse dealt with previously, suggesting the closure and sale of the campus to aid in budget constraints. This also pertained to Godinez Fundamental.
"I have no context to provide on any rumor. I am not aware of anything detailed here," Leal said.
Again, these are only rumors and have not been confirmed by the Santa Ana Unified School District. The official truth of the matter may never be put into light even with public records requests.
According to a statement issued via ParentSquare on Thursday, the District investigated and witnessed said violations. They then asked CIF to conduct their own investigation. CIF thereafter confirmed four violations of its bylaws:
Fallout of the removal of Ramirez and Casper
The fallout has resulted in students walking out in protest, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Mr. Casper and Coach Ramirez, adding the decision to do so was overkill.
Faculty have protested against the District's decision in removing Casper and some have decided to skip out on graduation and prom, even some students have threatened to not attend school as its the main way the District receives its funding.
On Monday, students staged a peaceful walkout protest. As District officials confirm that student activities such as prom are going as planned, students told The Santanero that wasn’t the case, adding they felt threatened and intimidated by the school administrations' tactics in compliance such as taking down protest posters.
The Santanero reached out to CIF for tallies regarding the number of probationary statuses issued categorized under public and private schools and is awaiting a response.
Transperent SAUSD, a new advocacy page, posted via Facebook Tuesday requesting parents to "share their stories." It is unclear at this time who is behind the page. Nevertheless, Jaguar students, staff and parents are expected to voice their concerns at tonight’s school board meeting.
Update on layoffs
Teachers, counselors, and other certificated staff fought for their jobs through week-long hearings. It is not clear how much faculty has been spared, but 389 pink slips were issued in March.
An update regarding layoffs is expected to be addressed tonight. A demonstration will occur at the District headquarters this afternoon ahead of tonight’s school board meeting.
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