Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Poor Academic Performance Is Kepler Charter School's Undoing
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
May 9, 2018

Share

The front page of a Fresno Unified fact-finding report bluntly lays out its recommendation: “Deny the Kepler Neighborhood School Charter Renewal Petition request. The charter school has not met the standards and criteria set forth in Education Code.”

Portrait of GV Wire's David Taub
Politics 101
David Taub
Fresno Unified trustees agreed with that finding Wednesday night, voting 5-2 not to renew the charter of the downtown school.
However, Kepler can appeal the decision to the Fresno County Board of Education. Trustees there might be convinced to allow the school to continue based on data presented by the school Wednesday night. For example, Kepler’s middle-school students outperform those at surrounding Fresno Unified campuses.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, a mother of three Kepler students, told The Fresno Bee last year that she chose the school for its focus on service learning, and that she’s hopeful the school will not close.

Costa, Denham and McClintock Team Up on Water Bill

Congressmen Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Denham, John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), and Tom McClintock (R-Elk Grove) introduced H.R 5726, the Non-Federal Reservoir Operations Improvement Act, Wednesday in the House of Representatives. If enacted, the bipartisan legislation would resolve a technicality that impedes structural and operational improvements of water reservoirs and prevents reservoirs from functioning as efficiently as possible.
“This bill is a straightforward solution to a senseless problem that blocks improved water supply in the San Joaquin Valley, and in communities across the United States,” said Costa, the bill’s lead sponsor.
Said McClintock, who represents the Valley’s foothill areas: “Droughts are nature’s fault. Water shortages are our fault. This bill is an important step in reforming the bureaucratic mess that has made it all but impossible to manage our crucial water supplies.”
Denham is the lead Republican on the bill.
“In the Valley, we’ve seen water tables dry up, community water systems completely empty, and the economic viability of some towns completely dried up as well,” Denham said. “We must move this issue forward.”
Costa’s office noted the bill’s inclusion as a provision in the Senate’s America’s Water Infrastructure Act, thus signaling Senate support. That legislation, which aims to localize the budget for the Army Corps of Engineers, was introduced Tuesday.

Measure X News

Fresno Unified is filling its bond oversight committee. Tonight (May 9), the board will vote on the appointments of Brian Andritch and Arthur Koster. They are the choices of trustees Carol Mills and Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, respectively.
The committee oversees bond money approved by voters, including Measure Q and Measure X.
District staff describe Andritch as “Leadership Fresno alum, has been involved in a community group supporting Hamilton K-8, and participates in extracurricular activities with his children who attend school in the district.”
The bio for Koster reads “Mr. Koster is a local business owner and involved in activities such as Tree Fresno, and co-founded the high-speed rail club “I Will Ride” at Fresno City College.”
The committee membership will increase to nine if the board approves both men. That still leaves six vacancies. The next committee’s next meeting is May 17. The board has had its share of attendance problems over the last few years.
Fresno Unified continues the process of selling Measure X bonds. The school board already set a wish list of where the funds will go. Now, at its meeting tonight, they start the process of selecting a bond underwriter. Staff recommended six finalists for the board to choose.

City to Buy Fire HQ

After leasing the Fire Department headquarters for the 11 years, the Fresno City Council will vote Thursday (May 10) to buy it outright. The transaction is $4.4 million for the building at 911 H Street from sellers EIE Alpha, LLC, Legacy DG Properties LLC, and the Jason and Kymberly Geil Family Trust.
Steve Geil, a longtime Fresno entrepreneur, is behind EIE Alpha. Frank Easterly is the managing member of Legacy DG Properties.
The council already approved a $1.3 million down payment. The remaining $3.1 million will be borrowed from the city’s Wastewater Operating Fund and the Sewer Rate Stabilization Fund.
The current lease rate is $50,140 per month ($601,680 a year).

Other Fresno Council Happenings

Also on the agenda: reimburse the Fresno County Transportation Authority $250,000 for purchasing land to be used for the High-Speed Rail maintenance facility in Fresno. …use $50,000 in the City Attorney’s Office from the contingency account to hire a budget analyst. …Hear citizens Gidai Maaza and Cesar CasaMayor talk about cannabis. The Fresno Bee reported that CasaMayor was arrested last year for protesting Mayor Lee Brand’s refusal to declare Fresno a sanctuary city. Prosecutors eventually dropped the charges.

RV Parking OK in Clovis

The Clovis City Council said it’s OK to park an RV or boat in a residential driveway. With a 5-0 vote, the council accepted a police department request to relax enforcement of such vehicles not being allowed to park on driveways. The pilot program runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and could be extended if it goes well.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

DON'T MISS

Mamdani Holds Lead Over Cuomo in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

DON'T MISS

Fresno County’s New Breeding Ordinance Could Shut Down 50 Operations

DON'T MISS

NATO Leaders Set to Back Trump Defense Spending Goal at Hague Summit

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Wildfire Quickly Contained. How Did They Do It?

DON'T MISS

Lender’s Intervention Halts City of Fresno’s Eviction Attempt at Granite Park

DON'T MISS

Clovis Unified Faces Lawsuit Alleging Years of Neglect and Sexual Abuse at Fancher Creek

DON'T MISS

Suspect in Bombing at California Fertility Clinic Dies in Federal Custody

DON'T MISS

US Airstrikes Failed to Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Sites, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Stephen Miller Expands Power in Second Trump Term, Defies Legal Limits

UP NEXT

Mamdani Holds Lead Over Cuomo in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

UP NEXT

Fresno County’s New Breeding Ordinance Could Shut Down 50 Operations

UP NEXT

NATO Leaders Set to Back Trump Defense Spending Goal at Hague Summit

UP NEXT

Fresno County Wildfire Quickly Contained. How Did They Do It?

UP NEXT

Lender’s Intervention Halts City of Fresno’s Eviction Attempt at Granite Park

UP NEXT

Suspect in Bombing at California Fertility Clinic Dies in Federal Custody

UP NEXT

US Airstrikes Failed to Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Sites, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Stephen Miller Expands Power in Second Trump Term, Defies Legal Limits

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Dies After Alleyway Attack. Police Investigating

UP NEXT

Poll: Most Californians Prefer Lower Taxes and Fewer Services, Skeptical of Gov’t Spending

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

NATO Leaders Set to Back Trump Defense Spending Goal at Hague Summit

7 hours ago

Fresno County Wildfire Quickly Contained. How Did They Do It?

7 hours ago

Lender’s Intervention Halts City of Fresno’s Eviction Attempt at Granite Park

8 hours ago

Clovis Unified Faces Lawsuit Alleging Years of Neglect and Sexual Abuse at Fancher Creek

8 hours ago

Suspect in Bombing at California Fertility Clinic Dies in Federal Custody

9 hours ago

US Airstrikes Failed to Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Sites, Sources Say

9 hours ago

Stephen Miller Expands Power in Second Trump Term, Defies Legal Limits

9 hours ago

FTA Unloads on Fresno Unified After Skipping External Search for Chief Academic Officer

9 hours ago

Fresno Man Dies After Alleyway Attack. Police Investigating

9 hours ago

Poll: Most Californians Prefer Lower Taxes and Fewer Services, Skeptical of Gov’t Spending

9 hours ago

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday conceded to state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary election for New York C...

3 hours ago

Former New York governor and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during the primary election night rally in New York City, U.S., June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
3 hours ago

Cuomo Concedes to Mamdani in New York City Democratic Mayoral Contest

People hold “I Voted” stickers on Democratic primary day in New York, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. After months of campaigning, caustic debates and a deluge of attack ads, the consequential Democratic primary for mayor of New York City comes to a head on Tuesday as voters stream to the ballot box in blistering heat. (Hilary Swift/The New York Times)
4 hours ago

Mamdani Holds Lead Over Cuomo in Democratic Primary for NYC Mayor

7 hours ago

Fresno County’s New Breeding Ordinance Could Shut Down 50 Operations

President Donald Trump arrives at a dinner for NATO heads of state and governments hosted by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Dutch Queen Maxima, on the sidelines of a NATO Summit, at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, Netherlands June 24, 2025. (Reuters/Toby Melville)
7 hours ago

NATO Leaders Set to Back Trump Defense Spending Goal at Hague Summit

A 180-acre wildfire in Cantua Creek was fully contained Tuesday afternoon, with CalFire crediting nearby roads for helping crews quickly stop the Monterey Fire from spreading. (CalFire)
7 hours ago

Fresno County Wildfire Quickly Contained. How Did They Do It?

8 hours ago

Lender’s Intervention Halts City of Fresno’s Eviction Attempt at Granite Park

8 hours ago

Clovis Unified Faces Lawsuit Alleging Years of Neglect and Sexual Abuse at Fancher Creek

California Fertility Clinic Bombing Investigation
9 hours ago

Suspect in Bombing at California Fertility Clinic Dies in Federal Custody

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend