Rigoberto Ruelas, 39, a fifth-grade teacher at Miramonte Elementary School failed to show up for work last week, his colleagues instantly began to worry. And their worst fears were confirmed Sunday morning. In the Big Tujunga Canyon area of the Angeles National Forest, a search-and-rescue team with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department discovered Ruelas' body in a ravine about 100 feet below a nearby bridge.
Ruelas' death stunned Miramonte students, teachers and parents. Rueleas had near perfect attendance in 14 years on the job. Ruelas did not leave a suicide note, authorities said, and it remained unclear why he took his life.
Teachers union President A.J. Duffy said his staff was told by Ruelas' family that the teacher was depressed about his score on a teacher-rating database. Ruelas was rated "average" in his ability to raise students' English scores and "less effective" in his ability to raise math scores. Overall, he was rated slightly "less effective" than his peers.
"Despite The Times' analysis, and all other measures, this was a really good teacher," said Duffy, who called on the newspaper to take down the database. Many parents also asked that Ruelas' page on The Times' website be taken down.
Ruelas' brother, Alejandro Ruelas, told The Times that the family is boycotting the newspaper and would not comment.
The Times extends its sympathy to his family, students, friends and colleagues," Nancy Sullivan, Times vice-president of communications, said in a statement.
A community memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Presentation Catholic Church in Los Angeles.
