Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Teamwork Replaces Chaos in Fresno Unified, Leaders and Union Say
By Myles Barker
Published 7 years ago on
October 3, 2018

Share

One year ago, Fresno Unified teachers threatened to go out on strike over stalled contract negotiations with the district. Among the issues contributing to the impasse: a demand by teachers that the district make a commitment to reducing class sizes to help address deficiencies in student achievement.
On Wednesday, the district and teachers union joined together to announce the progress they’ve made on bridging the divide.
“Since August of this year, we eliminated combination classes in our elementary schools and we reduced class sizes in our secondary schools in language classes,” said Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson.

“It has not been an easy journey, we are still working on our development of creating a joint relationship of mutual trust, but we are committed in working forward together.” — Bob Nelson, superintendent of Fresno Unified
In situations where student numbers were high and extra classroom space was unavailable, Nelson said a second teacher or paraprofessional educator was added.
“It is important to note that these efforts all took place outside of the formal bargaining process, which is markedly different from anything that we have done before,” Nelson said. “We are trying to operate differently.”

New Attitude in the District

The changes came following joint labor-management committee meetings that were created as a condition of a new contract between the district and the Fresno Teachers Association. The agreement was reached in January, just before teachers were scheduled to walk out for the first time in 40 years.
Leaders say there is a new attitude at work.
“When we move from a place of chaos and conflict to collaboration and cooperation, the 74,000 students of Fresno Unified transform, our city transforms, and this Valley transforms,” said FTA President Michael Bonilla.
Nelson echoed the sentiment.
“It has not been an easy journey,” Nelson said. “We are still working on our development of creating a joint relationship of mutual trust, but we are committed in working forward together,” Nelson said.
School Board Member Claudia Cazares, who represents Fresno Unified Hoover area region, commended both Bonilla and Nelson for the “remarkable accomplishments we’ve had as partners in this community.”
“It is not about the adults and it is not about how well we can get along, it is about our children and making sure they advance and that the city advances,” Cazares said.

Focusing on Special Ed Improvements

Creating a plan to better serve students with special needs is another issue the district is working on addressing, Nelson said.
In response to feedback from the Council of the Great City Schools regarding how well Fresno Unified is doing in providing for students with special needs, Nelson said the district has developed a plan, which he will present to the school board in the near future.

“When we move from a place of chaos and conflict to collaboration and cooperation, the 74,000 students of Fresno Unified transform, our city transforms, and this Valley transforms.” — Manuel Bonilla, president of the Fresno Teachers Association
The plan consists of providing direct support to students in classrooms in the form of additional material, equipment, and technological tools supporting both communication for special needs youth and mobility.

More Work To Do

Even with the progress the district has made, Nelson said there’s “absolutely further work to do.”
Some of that work includes focusing on the area of literacy and early learning.
“We acknowledge that early learning is key in order to make sure that our students enter kindergarten with a foundation, which is solid for future learning and growth,” Nelson said.

School Board Member Valerie Davis said she is really proud that both Fresno Unified and the FTA can get the credit for getting so much done for students.
“I am moved beyond words that this is a new beginning and I look forward to more work with our teacher unions and our superintendent together,” Davis said.

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

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

DON'T MISS

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

DON'T MISS

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

DON'T MISS

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

DON'T MISS

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

DON'T MISS

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

DON'T MISS

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

UP NEXT

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

UP NEXT

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

UP NEXT

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

UP NEXT

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Fermin Solorzano

UP NEXT

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

UP NEXT

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

1 hour ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

1 hour ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

2 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

2 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

2 hours ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

2 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

4 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

5 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

6 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

6 hours ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

The nonprofit supporting Fresno State’s ag specialty college unveiled its first corporate sponsor Thursday supporting students and tea...

9 minutes ago

9 minutes ago

Fresno State’s Ag College Is Growing. A New Corporate Sponsor Will Help Them

1 hour ago

Trump Compares Russia and Ukraine to Children Fighting

1 hour ago

Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges in Unprecedented Move

1 hour ago

SpaceX Will Decommission Dragon Spacecraft, Musk Says as Feud With Trump Escalates

1 hour ago

Erika Sandoval Gets Life Sentence in Notorious Tulare County Murder

2 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

2 hours ago

We Are Being Governed by the Trump Organization Inc.

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
2 hours ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

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

Search

Send this to a friend