Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

2 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

3 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

3 hours ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

4 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

7 hours ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

8 hours ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

8 hours ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

8 hours ago
School Boards: Incumbents Fall in Clovis, Central, Fresno, SCCCD
By Myles Barker
Published 7 years ago on
November 7, 2018

Share

Veva Islas ousted incumbent Christopher De La Cerda in the Fresno Unified school board race to represent McLane High School trustee area.

With 100% precincts reporting, Islas garnered 59% of the vote.

De La Cerda, a retired school educator, was seeking his second full term on the school board. The race was for one of four trustee seats in play this election cycle.

In the weeks leading up to Election Day, De La Cerda caused a stir in the race by claiming the California Teachers Association and SEIU had endorsed him.

In fact, CTA did not endorse any candidate in the race and SEIU endorsed Islas. De La Cerda said he misspoke.

Keshia Thomas Wins Area 1

In Area 1, Keshia Thomas beat out Robert Fuentes to represent the Edison High Region.

“It feels so wonderful,” Thomas said. “I am humbled and excited and can’t wait to go to work for my kids.”

Keshia Thomas (GV Wire Photo/Jahz Tello)

“I am humbled and excited and can’t wait to go to work for my kids.”Keshia Thomas, newly-elected Area 1 trustee

Thomas finished with a comfortable lead over Fuentes, winning 58 percent of the votes. Fuentes received 42 percent.

Thomas will replace Lindsay Cal Johnson, who decided not to run for re-election. Johnson served on the board for 12 years.

Valerie Davis Secures Re-election

Incumbent Valerie Davis defended her seat in the Area 3 race to continue representing the Sunnyside region.

She faced competition from two challengers – Mark Ratchford and Karl Diaz. Davis finished off Tuesday night with 46 percent of the votes.

Diaz had 35 percent and Ratchford 19 percent.

“I am looking forward to the work ahead with laser focus.” — Valerie Davis, Area 3 Incumbent

Davis said her win reflects the work she has done as a board member for the past 12 years.

“I am grateful to do the work again for our students,” Davis said.

Terry Slatic Claims Area 7 Seat

Terry Slatic reigned supreme in Fresno Unified’s Area 7 race.

“We are enjoying the moment.” — Terry Slatic, newly-elected Area 7 trustee

He beat out three other candidates Nasreen Johnson, Amanda Karabian and Terri Edwards – to represent the Bullard High region. He replaces Brooke Ashjian, who did not seek re-election.

Slatic claimed 36% of the vote Tuesday night. Johnson finished with 28% of the vote, Edwards with 24% and Karabian with 12%.

“We are enjoying the moment,” said Slatic at his campaign party at The Lime Lite in Fresno.

Slatic said he plans to hit the ground running.

“I am looking at this as a 50-hour-a-week job,” Slatic said.

Clovis Unified

Susan Hatmaker made a stunning upset Tuesday night by unseating Area 1 Incumbent Sandy Bengal Budd on Clovis Unified’s School Board.

Hatmaker took home 52 percent of the votes with 100 percent precincts reporting. Budd received 48 percent.

Bengel Budd has been a trustee since 1993.

Some issues affecting Area 1 include expanding classroom offerings and improving communication within the district.

Hatmaker said she will work to address those problems and more by keeping a close ear in the community.

Tiffany Madsen beat Albert Zuniga to replace Jim Volkinburg, who is not seeking re-election. He has served since 1993.

Madsen received 72 percent of votes and Zuniga 28 percent.

As board member, Madsen pledges to always make decisions keeping kids first.

A total of three seats were up for grabs this election cycle.

Betsy Sandoval, who served on the board for 36 years in two different stings, ran unopposed in Area 6.

Central Unified

Two of the three Central Unified trustees who voted to oust popular superintendent Mark Sutton, were ousted themselves.

Central Unified School Board Area 1 and 2 Incumbents Cesar Granda and Ruben Coronado both lost their bid for re-election Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Rama Dawar has a slim lead, pending the counting of mail-in ballots.

Jason Paul, a local geologist and farmer, defeated Granda 60%-39% with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Improving student safety and planning for growth are Paul’s top issues for Area 1.

Yesenia Carrillo, a local attorney, beat Coronado 55%-45% with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Carefully managing the district’s budget and working as a team are her main priorities as board member.

Dawar leads Naindeep Singh Chann  by just 20 votes. It is too close to call with a yet-to-be determined amount of mail-in and provisional ballots to be counted.

In Area 4, Richard Atkins defeated challenger Shawn Brooks 62%-38%

Atkins, a manager at Leisle Electric Inc. in Fresno, said increasing academic performance in the district as well as career technical programs are his top goals.

State Center Community College District

Magdalena Gomez is poised for an upset over two-term trustee Ronald Nishinaka. With all precincts reporting in Fresno and Tulare counties, Gomez leads by 230 votes for the Area 4 seat.

In the Area 5 seat, Annalisa Perea becomes the third member of her family to win elected office.

Perea is the daughter of former Fresno city councilman and county supervisor Henry R. Perea; and sister of former councilman and state assemblyman Henry T. Perea.

Annalisa defeated Daren Miller and Teri Orantes for the seat vacated by Miguel Arias (who won election to Fresno city council) taking 51% of the vote. Miller finished with 43% and Orantes, who did not actively campaign, won 6%.

Fresno County Office of Education

Kimberly Tapscott-Munson will join the Fresno County Office of Education school board, winning 34% of the vote in a four-person race.

The retired Fresno librarian defeated Randy Rocca (28%), Michele Arvance (20%) and Richard Martinez (18%).

Tapscott-Munson ran in the pirmary for Fresno city council but did not qualify for the runoff. She will replace Ismael Herrera, who opted to run for a Kerman city council seat and won unopposed.

This story has been updated.

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

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

DON'T MISS

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

DON'T MISS

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

DON'T MISS

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

DON'T MISS

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

DON'T MISS

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

DON'T MISS

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

DON'T MISS

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

UP NEXT

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Bill on Friday at 5 p.m., White House Says

UP NEXT

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

UP NEXT

Presidential Election Reveals Big Shift in California Voting Patterns. Will It Last?

UP NEXT

After Record Democratic Speech, House Republicans Begin Final Vote on Trump Tax-Cut Bill

UP NEXT

Jeffries Sets Record for Floor Speech Before Vote on Trump Tax Bill

UP NEXT

Trump Impounds Billions in Education Funding. For Fresno Unified, It’s $7.1 Million

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Will Focus on Fed Chair Replacement in Fall, Bessent Says

UP NEXT

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

UP NEXT

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

1 hour ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

1 hour ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

2 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

2 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

3 hours ago

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

3 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

3 hours ago

Trump to Sign Bill on Friday at 5 p.m., White House Says

4 hours ago

Colombia President Recalls Ambassador to US

4 hours ago

Riverdale High School Coach Arrested for Allegedly Arranging to Meet Minor

4 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

As the drama unfolded Wednesday night into Thursday, Rep. David Valadao was one of the initial holdouts on voting for the “One Big Bea...

40 minutes ago

40 minutes ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

An ICE agent talks with migrants about their scheduled appointments with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Father’s Day, to learn about their immigration status, in Chicago, Illinois., U.S., June 15, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

Boeing logo and miniature satellite model are seen in this illustration taken, March 10, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

1 hour ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

Clovis Police are searching for Pathmani Goonawardena, 82, who went missing nearly three weeks ago and was last seen driving a white Volvo near Copper and Auberry, possibly en route to Coarsegold. (CHP)
1 hour ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

A general view of a U.S. State Department sign, on the day U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 4, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

An electric vehicle charging location is shown from the view of a drone in Carlsbad, California, U.S., May 14, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

Actor Michael Madsen arrives at the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, California November 1, 2015. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

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

Search

Send this to a friend