When you drive a school district into near-bankruptcy and just about completely fail with regard to graduation rates and test scores, you probably don’t have much of a chance at re-election. That is the awkward position that Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) School Board President Jose Alfredo Hernandez finds himself in as he attempts to get elected to the seat he was previously appointed to.
The man’s ego is truly outrageous. Just have a look at his campaign website, where he refers to himself as a “shining success.” And check out this whopper, “Hernández has brought his professional expertise to wisely balance the financial responsibilities of the District with the competing needs of the many District stakeholders.” Is this guy serious? The District fired most of its classified employees – in fact Hernandez said at one meeting that he fired his own Aunt, who raised him! And the District has a massive budget deficit! Que mentiroso!
Hernandez likes to say on his website that he is “giving back to the community.” But I have heard he has his eye on Assemblyman Jose Solorio’s seat. Hernandez needs to stay on the SAUSD School Board or else his ambitions of higher office are dead.
The greatest indictment of Hernandez is that he is endorsed by fellow SAUSD Trustees Audrey Noji and Rob Richardson. The lot of them ought to be locked up or at least booted off the SAUSD Board. He is also endorsed by Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and a slew of lawyers. Check out the rest of his endorsements at this link.
And Hernandez lied on the KCal/Channel 2 Online Voter Guide:
3. How do you plan to fix those problems if elected?
JOSE ALFREDO HERNANDEZ: In the past 1 1/2 our, graduation rates have gone up from the previous year. In my opinion, a primary reason at least in my district is that the expectations have been raised. Right before I got on the Board, our district would issue a certificate of completion to those students that did not earn a High School diploma, either because they did not pass the High School Exit exam or because they did not have enough units to graduate. I voted to eliminate that certificate. As far as our leadership, I will insist on accepting responsibility, ensuring accountability and demanding that our administrators, teachers and staff raise their level of expectations for our children.
NOT TRUE: In the Spring of 2007, Jose Hernandez along with Rob Richardson and Audrey Noji voted to extend by a year the giving of a certificate of completion for students not passing the high school exit exam. He also allowed those students to participate in the graduation ceremonies.
This policy was first approved for the class of 2006 (4-1 vote) and then for the class of 2007 it was passed again on a 3-2 vote with Rosemary Avila and John Palacio voting no. Jose Hernandez was the swing vote. This practice ended for the class of 2008.
5. What measures would you take to optimize the use of funds for your district?
JOSE ALFREDO HERNANDEZ: This past 1 1/2 I have been part of a board that has cut over 30 million dollars (over 110 million in the last 5 years). We have had Budget Reduction Committee reviewing all of our expenditures and revenues to see where exactly we can cut or save. Our district has been very responsive in seeking restricted funds and using them wisely. I .would ensure that we continue along that path and audit ourselves to make sure that we are spending every penny wisely.
How about the loss of $6 million that the District had to pay the State? The SAUSD cuts would of been significantly less if it was not for the mismanagement. How about all the remodeling in the District offices?
There are eight other candidates running for the SAUSD School Board. My advice? Do NOT vote for either of the incumbents, Hernandez and Rob Richardson. That would be a good start. I have endorsed Irene Ibarra and Valerie Amezcua. I am still not sure who I will be supporting for the third seat on the SAUSD School Board – but I guarantee it won’t be Hernandez.
You can find out more about Hernandez at this link and this link.
The Focus on SAUSD School Board Candidates series now includes posts on Irene Ibarra, Gregory Barraza, Roman Reyna, Gloria Alvarado, Mike Gonzalez and Valerie Amezcua. Up next: Cecilia Aguinaga.
I thought the employees had been re-hired?
Who was the president before Hernandez, was it Tinajero? and if so, how was the budget while that person was on the board?
SA-Anon
A lot of other people have been led to believe the employees had been re-hired too. Some have at half as many hours, combined job descriptions, and with double or more job duties.
Tinajero was there first, true, but he became a puppet for Richardson and Noji just as Hernandez has done. Maybe Hernandez hopes to get a gig on the city council as Tenajero was rewarded for selling out the district. If Hernandez has a thought about the employees it is probably how to get his aunt’s job back after he had to go along with her termination.
The classified employees are being told that they will be rehired after the election. I hope they don’t fall for that lie. Look what happend to them after they help with Measure G.
Audrey, Rob and Jose Alfredo voted to cut over 700 classifed jobs to balance the budget.
I heard that at the NAACP forum candidate Barraza said he was the most qualified because he had a degrree. Really? With all the degrees on the board now, what does he plan to add to the mix? More stupidity? I don’t think much of a guy who posts a picture of himself with his student sitting on his lap.
Let’s get some people on board with common sense.
SA – Anon,
I believe that Hernandez was preceded by the equally lame Rob Richardson. Yes some folks were rehired. Benefits and hours however were not restored in most cases.
The worst part is that according to another Trustee, the money to pay these workers was available. The Trustees needed to shuffle their money a bit and they failed to do so. Hernandez in particular appeared to take some glee in firing his Auntie.
It is best to vote Hernandez and Richardson OUT and start anew…
Tinajero was never president of the board. He was rebuked for being friendly with Nativo Lopez.
As far as Hernandez. He was a personal pick by Audrey Noji to be appointed to the board when Tinajero vacated his seat. Noji plucked Hernandez to round out her board trifecta. She’s very clever at stacking the board in her favor.
It’s time to break up the Noji Trifecta. She’s been on the board for nearly two decades. It’s time for a change.
It’s best to vote Hernandez and Richardson OUT and start anew.
I don’t know who of all the SA School Board candidates is more self enamored, this Jose Alfredo or Barraza. Newsflash to these two knuckleheads: there are many more Hispanic men and women who are far more educated not only in college but also at home. These two arrogant fools need to learn manners and not be so condescending to the community.
The grapevine gossip is Jose Alfredo may not have become a legal resident until the ’80s.
SAHS Alumni,
What does jose alfredo’s legal residency in the 80’s have anything to do with the board?
This election is going to be very tough. There are many candidates, and unfortunately it is obvious that many of them are not in it for the right reasons. I think Hernandez is one of the only candidates who might not have a hidden agenda. Word is his name is already well known in the higher politics…and has a well established business. Amezcua seems to be in it for the community as well. Her family (specially her father) have been known to be proactive in the community.
Isn’t the teacher’s union endorsing Hernandez? I find it odd that they would endorse him if they have been deprived of so much during the last year.
SA-Anon,
For the record, the Santa Ana Unified Classified Employees Association did NOT endorse Hernandez. They endorsed Roman Reyna, Gloria Alvarado and Valerie Amezcua.
Cecilia Aguinaga LOVES our children and parents. She has lots of support in the community by almost all the residents of Santa Ana. She would never physically hurt anyone because she has so much love. Give her a chance! She will do a good job. And Gloria Alvarado will do a good job to. The Unions are behind Gloria and Bob Hernandez with SEIU supports Cecilia. If you like Al Amezcua vote for his daughter.
Remember People:
Vote for Cecilia Aguinaga and Gloria Alvarado on November 4.
They will not hurt our chldren.
SA Anon.
Are you trying to say that Jose Alfredo Hernandez was an illegal alien until sometime in the 1980’s? Is that why he was raised by his aunt?
If it’s true, an illegal alien who took a seat in school that belonged to an AMERICAN! It’s no wonder our country is in trouble and people who violate our laws are running for office.
For the past 2 years Jose Hernandez has destroyed the SAUSD by cutting jobs, leaving our kids with no school Nurses, no librarians, and no help for our teachers. This past month I have found out that he has 2 DUI’s and the 3rd DUI he obtained a Felony for Identity Theft of another California Resident Driver License ( Not His own). He was also arrested for Domestic Violence. Who in their right mind would vote for someone like this? We need a person with morals, and right decision making skills. A vote for this person would mean a circus show at the School Board.
It is people like Santa Ana Resident who make politics as bad as they are today….because of stupid “chismes” people hear but can NEVER prove people end up electing the wrong people into office.
I would like to hear who Santa Ana Resident is voting for….