Santa Rosa Academy board fires Executive Director Badillo

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Laura Badillo, one of the founders of Santa Rosa Academy and most recently its executive director, was fired by the school's Board of Directors on Wednesday.

Scott Mason, board president, confirmed that Badillo's employment was terminated, effective Jan. 31. Until then, she has been placed on administrative leave. The announcement was made to those attending a special board meeting as board members emerged from a closed session. Mason told Menifee 24/7 that he couldn't discuss the firing because it's a personnel issue.

Venus Ballard, a member of the school's Advisory Council and a parent of five Santa Rosa students, attended the meeting, which she said drew an "unusually large crowd, due to many finding out about the possibility of [the board] stopping home school."

Her reference was to an item on the board agenda regarding the school's Red Track program, in which students are home schooled and meet with an advisor on campus at least once per week, according to the Student Handbook. The item, passed by the board on Wednesday, stated in part, "The purpose of the motion is to pause the creation of new Red Track programs while the Board reviews and investigates the Red Track programs available to all students within the requirements of the charter petition."

The interpretation of that agenda item by some is that the board was attempting to close the home school program. That is not the way the item was worded on the agenda, and an attorney representing the school made a brief reference to the program in a statement emailed to Menifee 24/7 Wednesday night.

"The Board looks forward to continuing Santa Rosa Academy's steadfast reputation for academic excellence within a flexible and innovative learning environment that includes continuing and strengthening its innovative and renowned home school programs," wrote Richard Hansberger of the firm Hansberger and Klein School Law, which represents California schools exclusively, according to its website.

Ballard said she believes Badillo's firing could be related to that issue, and perhaps to remarks made by Badillo (left) to board members at a previous meeting.

"At one of the last meetings, she kind of called the board out," Ballard said. "She told them they're not following their own orders. I think they were just done with her.

"This is huge and unfortunate news. I couldn't have conceived the board would go so far. They're almost turning a cold shoulder to the administration. The parents and staff have yet to figure this out."

The statement released by Hansberger stated that the board will "issue a local and nationwide search for an Executive Director that continues to exhibit the very basis of these founding characteristics and provides the necessary support for all students and teachers for many years ahead."

The statement also addressed Badillo, although not by name.

"The Santa Rosa Academy Board of Directors is proud of Santa Rosa Academy’s students, teachers, families and founders. As a nationally recognized award-winning school, authorized by the stellar and award-winning Menifee Union School District, the Board confirms that at its Board of Directors meeting on January 22, 2020, the school’s Executive Director was released effective January 31, 2020. The Board of Directors is appreciative and proud of what the Executive Director and the school have accomplished over the very integral and foundational years at Santa Rosa Academy, taking the school from 59 students to well over 1,500."

Badillo was part of a group of five teachers and administrators who founded Santa Rosa Academy. It opened in 2005 with 59 home-schooled students and a staff of seven working out of a garage until leased property was available. Santa Rosa, a charter school authorized by MUSD, continued to grow until it has a waiting list in the thousands. In 2013, Santa Rosa opened a 63,000-square-foot campus on La Piedra Road, across from what is now Menifee Town Center.

The school enrollment of 1,500 includes grades TK through 12, with advanced students participating in such programs as biomedical, engineering, art and technology, business, and career and technical education. Badillo served as principal of the school for years until being named the school's executive director.

Badillo sent the following statement to Menifee 24/7 late Wednesday night:

"This is a mutual parting of the ways. The board has been headed in a direction that the founders, myself included, never intended.

"Our vision to build a school that was highly regarded for its academics and character education within a flexible learning environment was realized. I've always said Santa Rosa Academy was the 'second happiest place on earth' and it truly has been an incredible ride.

"I love our families and our staff, whose dedication to our mission has been unwavering. I thank all of them for believing in us."

Local dignitaries watched as Laura Badillo turned over the first shovel of dirt for the school's campus in 2012. File photo