PUSD Superintendent: San Rafael Principal Ramirez Will Return to Campus in “Near Future”

Principal Rudy Ramirez will remain assigned to San Rafael Elementary School and return in the near future, Superintendent Brian McDonald said Tuesday, but “corrective action is being taken to ensure that there is no repeat” of the actions Ramirez took after a recent incident in which he used profanity and made disparaging racial comments.

It is not entirely clear from McDonald’s statement what form that corrective action may take. Since this is a personnel matter, the District cannot provide any further details.

Principal Ramirez has apologized publicly for his remarks which were captured Aug. 14 on the body-worn camera of a security officer. The officer was supporting Pasadena police who had been summoned to the campus after a caller reported seeing someone scale the fence to get onto school grounds.

Officers searching the facility pointed non-lethal weapons at the school’s head custodian and briefly detained him. The officers handcuffed the custodian for six and a half minutes until they could identify him. A police source said officers followed standard procedures.

Ramirez arrived shortly afterward.

“The last two weeks have been very difficult for San Rafael Elementary School and the broader Pasadena community. The detention of our custodian at the school by the Pasadena Police Department and the reaction by the principal have caused deep concern in our community. I share that deep concern,” McDonald said in the statement.

McDonald continued to say principals are expected at all times to abide by the values of the District and the standards of professional education leaders. 

“We expect principals and all school leaders to recognize and use their professional influence with staff and the community to develop a climate of trust, mutual respect, and honest communication necessary to consistently make fair and equitable decisions on behalf of all students,” he wrote, before explaining that while an acting principal is on campus, Ramirez will be back soon.

McDonald said now the school community must refocus on student learning.

“We will begin a facilitated dialogue at the school and with neighbors to strengthen relationships so that students and staff can continue learning and thriving. Our goal now is to foster a climate of civility, collegiality, tolerance, and reasoned debate, embracing our diversity as a strength that adds vibrancy and creativity to our perspectives, deliberations, and decisions. We must work together as members of one community for the benefit of our students and families. The best education for our students continues to be our top priority.”