Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup says the district had an opportunity to select an experienced superintendent with a track record of success that the new top executive, Misty Her, doesn’t possess.

At a Thursday news conference in front of the district’s downtown office, Wittrup explained why said she voted against Her’s elevation from interim superintendent.

Simply put, Wittrup said that based on her experience at nearly every school in Fresno Unified over a 37-year career as a psychologist, “We need an infusion of experience and talent to move our students forward.”

She also said the district has not had a qualified or effective superintendent in 20 years.

“Over that timespan, Fresno Unified no longer has the muscle memory of what effective leadership looks and feels like,” said Wittrup, who represents the Bullard region.

Related Story: Fresno Trustees Choose District Insider Misty Her for New Superintendent

More Than 25 Applicants for Superintendent

The district received more than 25 applicants for the job to replace former superintendent Bob Nelson, Wittrup said. On Wednesday night, trustees voted to make Her the new leader succeeding Bob Nelson, who retired last summer. Wittrup was the only dissenting vote. Other trustees said Her was more qualified than the other candidates.

However, Wittrup said some of the candidates not only brought a history of improving student outcomes, but also were experienced superintendents.

“The potential applicants I talked with had leadership and superintendent experiences from a variety of school districts,” Wittrup said. “They were recognized in their fields and highly regarded for the results seen in their districts. We missed out on an incredible opportunity.”

Last week, GV Wire revealed the names of three external candidates brought to Fresno for interviews: Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Beaverton (Oregon) School District; former Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Ahart; and Andraé Townsel, superintendent of Calvert County (Maryland) Public Schools.

Balderas was named national superintendent of the year in 2020 by the American Association of School Administrators.

‘If You’re a Skilled Pilot, You’re Going to Be Able to Fly That Plane’

At Wednesday’s board meeting, McLane-area trustee Veva Islas said that Her “stood shoulders above other candidates.”

And Board President Valerie Davis emphasized that Her had experience leading Fresno Unified and its 70,000 students as interim superintendent. She called Her “a leader who embodies everything we want for the future of our district.”

Wittrup said, however, that a strong superintendent would be able to effectively serve in any district.

“If you’re a pilot and you’re a very skilled pilot, when you change planes, there might be a few things that are different, but you’re a very skilled pilot,” Wittrup said. “You’re going to be able to fly that plane. Well, it’s the same for a superintendent.”

Related Story: Fresno Unified Trustees Passed Over a National Superintendent of the Year

Parents Speak Out on Superintendent Pick

Fresno Unified parent Brenda Quispe said she was disheartened about the the district’s selection process. She also said she was proud of Wittrup for providing a dissenting voice.

While Quispe said she was happy for the Hmong community, she wanted an outsider to turn the district around.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I just feel like that’s where we’re at,” Quispe said. “Hearing that the other candidates — someone who was a superintendent of the year who was able turn to a district around, a whole 180 — what are we doing?”

Cher Vang, a former high school counselor, has a grandchild in Fresno Unified. He said the district is doing the best it can to educate children, but there is room for improvement.

He also said that having a Hmong superintendent provides a good role model for all minorities.

“Someone may feel that ‘we are a minority, we cannot achieve that, but when we see something like this, this is the land of opportunity,’ ” Vang said.

Vang additionally brought up Her’s experience at the district.

“She has been a teacher, a site principal. I know that she is a local so she knows the needs of the community, the needs of the students,” Vang said.