San Rafael School Principal Apologizes For His Comments

A local elementary school principal issued an apology today for comments he made in anger after police handcuffed and questioned the school’s janitor.

“I raced from my home in Arcadia to the school, and arrived at San Rafael within twenty minutes of the phone call,” said Rodolfo Ramirez said in an email from his PUSD account addressed to San Rafael Elementary School Recipients. Pasadena Now obtained a copy of the email from a City official.

“While driving to San Rafael, our custodian called me and told me, ‘Man, I have never had a gun pointed at my face. They had these big assault rifles and rubber bullet guns. They made me kneel down and then they handcuffed me. I was so scared but I kept telling myself, ‘I am not going to die today.’”

The janitor was briefly detained after a neighbor called police to report he saw someone climb over a school fence with a backpack.

The janitor, who has keys to the building, later denied climbing the fence.

Ramirez said that when he arrived at San Rafael, he was “extremely upset, scared for our custodian’s life, confused, and hurt.” 

“I was hurt because the entire scene brought back my personal trauma of growing up in Paramount where gun violence and police harassment were normal. During my drive, I reflected on friends that had lost their lives because of guns,” he said.

Ramirez said he kept thinking about what he perceived to be an injustice committed against the custodian and school community based on an inaccurate 911 call.

“I was outraged that one of our own could be treated in such a demeaning and unjust way.”

“In this moment of fear, anger, confusion and pain, I made some offensive and inappropriate comments in the presence of a Metro Patrol Officer who had his body camera on without my knowledge. I am deeply ashamed of the language that I used and some of the things that I said.”

The incident set off a firestorm among police critics and school board members, including some that accused the police of racism. 

Ramirez took a similar tone when he arrived on the scene, according to a Metro report obtained by Pasadena Now.

“’This is fucking bullshit they should not be handcuffing one of my janitors,” he said. “I bet if he was white he wouldnt have been treated like that … fuck these nosy ass white neighbors, how about when it was white kids jumping the fence vandalising [sic] classrooms and drawing dicks on the walls and leaving beer cans on the roof, no one calls.”

Ramirez apologized to one parent specifically in his email. 

“I am profoundly embarrassed about the comments that I made about one of our Panda parents, Ms. Kimberly Krentz. I wish to apologize publicly to the Krentz Family and the entire San Rafael community for this. There is no excuse for my choice of words.”

In the wake of the incident, several parents have called for a town hall meeting that would be attended by local residents, parents, school officials and police.

Ramirez did not mention a meeting in the email or what steps would be taken next. 

“I know I did not live up to what was expected of me as a school leader during this moment of crisis, or even the standards to which I hold myself. I must reflect on my behavior and try my best to show the Krentz Family and the San Rafael Family that I will learn and grow from this unfortunate situation. I care deeply about every individual who is a part of the Panda community and I sincerely hope that my eleven years of service have demonstrated my love, passion, and commitment to each and every one of you.”

“It is my responsibility to make amends and I fully intend to do so. I love our school and only want what is best for it. I will continue to work on being the leader that this community deserves and I am deeply sorry that I allowed my emotions and fear to overpower me.”