Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Construction of $200M Trump Ballroom at the White House to Begin in September

9 hours ago

US Senate Committee Backs $1 Billion for Ukraine in Pentagon Spending Bill

11 hours ago

Trump Says Mexico Trade Deal Extended for 90 Days

12 hours ago

Wall Street Jumps as Microsoft Enters $4 Trillion Club After Results

13 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

1 day ago

Neptune to Launch a Creator-First, Customizable Algorithm Social Platform to Rival TikTok

1 day ago

Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California in 2026

1 day ago

Trump Pushes for Release of Epstein, Maxwell Grand Jury Testimony

1 day ago
Fresno Schools May Lose Social Workers Over Teachers Union Complaint
NANCY WEBSITE HEADSHOT 1
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 2 years ago on
May 19, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Students at some Fresno Unified high schools could have fewer social workers on hand next year to help them with their social and emotional problems after the teachers union raised an objection because the workers were hired by contract and not directly by the district.

The issue arose during the ongoing negotiations for a new Fresno Teachers Association contract, which will expire at the end of June.

The district said FTA is requesting the termination of an $800,000 contract with Family Foundations “moving forward,” district spokeswoman Nikki Henry said in an email to GV Wire.

The district has employed Family Foundations employees to provide service to students at several comprehensive high schools, she said.

The district initially thought it would have to cut $2 million in contracts and services, but the issue was clarified Thursday afternoon during a negotiating session, Henry said.

“It will likely still be difficult for us to replace those services through internal hiring of full-time social workers, but we will do everything we can to minimize the impact to our students in the upcoming school year,” she said.

District like Fresno Unified have tried to boost staffing after the pandemic caused more students to experience social-emotional problems.

Fresno Unified has struggled to hire employees to provide mental health and social services to students. Even though the district budgeted sufficient funds to employ at least one school psychologist at each school this year, the district was able to hire only 20 of 27 new psychologists and seven of 15 additional regional instructional managers.

In lieu of hiring staffers, the district has turned to using contract employees to fill gaps.

Union: Students Not Served as Well with Contract Workers

But doing so bypasses the “sustainable practice of hiring licensed district social workers,” FTA President Manuel Bonilla said in a text message to GV Wire.

Fresno Unified needs to employ social workers who are both licensed as clinical social workers and also hold a Pupil Personnel Service credential, he said.

Rather than see gaps in service this year, the teachers union proposed that the contract remain in effect for the remainder of this year while the district seeks to hire licensed social workers for next year, Bonilla said.

The union also is advocating for Fresno Unified to collaborate with mental health support app companies that can provide students and their families with resources outside of regular school hours, which would give students support 24/7, he said.

“Our commitment to the well-being of our students remains unwavering,” Bonilla said. “We firmly believe that investing in properly credentialed professionals, expanding social/emotional support, and embracing technological solutions will create a supportive and nurturing environment for every student in Fresno Unified. Together, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our students and empower them to thrive academically and emotionally.”

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

Trump Sets 10% to 41% ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs on Dozens of Countries’ Exports

DON'T MISS

Fresno Fire Displaces Family of Three, Pets Rescued

DON'T MISS

Measure C Advisory Group Still Squabbling but Agrees on Mission Statement

DON'T MISS

Adopt Eevee and She’ll Bring Sunshine Into Your Life

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Arrest Suspect, Recover Firearms and Drugs in Fowler

DON'T MISS

Countries With No Trade Deal Will Hear From US by Midnight, White House Says

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Envoy Meets Netanyahu for Gaza Aid, Ceasefire Push

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s $100M Warehouse Project Means Big Things for City: Dyer

DON'T MISS

Construction of $200M Trump Ballroom at the White House to Begin in September

DON'T MISS

Tulare County Fire Responds to Three-Alarm Fire at Commercial Building Near Tipton

UP NEXT

As Trump Cuts Education, Candidates Line Up for California’s Top Schools Job

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Will Pay Nikki Henry $162K Without Board’s Public Vote

UP NEXT

Questions Linger After Beloved Superintendent Exits a Merced County School District

UP NEXT

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

UP NEXT

Oregon Schools Face Federal Probe Over Transgender Athletes

UP NEXT

White House Will Release $5.5 Billion for Schools, After Surprise Delay

UP NEXT

California Releases Teacher Data. It Shows Big Rise in Hispanic Teachers

UP NEXT

Columbia University, Trump Administration Reach $200 Million Deal Over Funding

UP NEXT

State Department Investigating Harvard’s Participation in Exchange Visitor Program

UP NEXT

Trump Admin Releases After-School Grant Money, but There’s a Catch

Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

Adopt Eevee and She’ll Bring Sunshine Into Your Life

7 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Arrest Suspect, Recover Firearms and Drugs in Fowler

7 hours ago

Countries With No Trade Deal Will Hear From US by Midnight, White House Says

7 hours ago

Trump’s Envoy Meets Netanyahu for Gaza Aid, Ceasefire Push

8 hours ago

Fresno’s $100M Warehouse Project Means Big Things for City: Dyer

9 hours ago

Construction of $200M Trump Ballroom at the White House to Begin in September

9 hours ago

Tulare County Fire Responds to Three-Alarm Fire at Commercial Building Near Tipton

10 hours ago

If Texas Gerrymanders Its House Districts, Costa Says California Must Follow Suit

10 hours ago

Yosemite’s Largest Campground Reopens Friday After $26.2 Million Renovation

11 hours ago

Two Men Shot During Fight at Tulare Apartment Complex

11 hours ago

Trump Sets 10% to 41% ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs on Dozens of Countries’ Exports

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on U.S. imports from dozens...

4 hours ago

President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 8, 2025. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)
4 hours ago

Trump Sets 10% to 41% ‘Reciprocal’ Tariffs on Dozens of Countries’ Exports

A fire sparked by oily rags displaced a Fresno family and damaged their home Thursday, July 31, 2025, but firefighters rescued three dogs, a chameleon, and a turtle with no injuries reported. (Fresno FD)
6 hours ago

Fresno Fire Displaces Family of Three, Pets Rescued

Measure C MeasureC Highway 41 HWY41 Transportation tax (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
7 hours ago

Measure C Advisory Group Still Squabbling but Agrees on Mission Statement

Eevee Is GV Wire's Adoptable Cat of the Week, July 31, 2025
7 hours ago

Adopt Eevee and She’ll Bring Sunshine Into Your Life

Fresno County authorities helped Fowler police arrest a suspect on Thursday, July 31, 2025, and seize stolen firearms, drugs, ammunition, and cash following a grand theft investigation. (Fowler PD)
7 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Arrest Suspect, Recover Firearms and Drugs in Fowler

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 31, 2025. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)
7 hours ago

Countries With No Trade Deal Will Hear From US by Midnight, White House Says

Palestinians carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, July 30, 2025. (Reuters File)
8 hours ago

Trump’s Envoy Meets Netanyahu for Gaza Aid, Ceasefire Push

9 hours ago

Fresno’s $100M Warehouse Project Means Big Things for City: Dyer

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

Search

Send this to a friend