Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, who has historically kept quiet on education issues, is calling out low test scores at Fresno Unified School District.

On Tuesday, Fresno County superintendent of schools candidate Dr. Eimear O’Brien hosted a news conference alongside high-profile endorsers.

Dyer took the stand, expressing adamant support for O’Brien and a need for improvement.

The mayor, who acknowledged his rare engagement with education, specifically identified Fresno Unified as a low-performing district.

“Clearly improvement is needed in Fresno Unified School District and throughout our county,” Dyer said. “Fresno Unified is the third largest school district in the state of California. Yet, last year, only 37% of students met the standard category in English Language Arts… And only 27% of students met standard in math. This is also 10% below state average, that is completely unacceptable.”

He compared the results to the state average: 49% meeting ELA standards and 37% meeting math standards.

This marks the first time Dyer has addressed the district’s poor academic results as mayor. He said he was compelled to speak out because the county is at a “pivotal moment” in which “we are not going in the direction we need to go.”

He believes O’Brien can support the district as Fresno County superintendent and improve student outcomes.

O’Brien, the former Clovis Unified superintendent, is running against incumbent Fresno County Superintendent Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher and former Parlier Unified School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Johnny Alvarado.

See GV Wire’s candidate forum here.

Mayor Dyer Weighs in After Trustees Oppose SEDA

Dyer’s change in tone comes after the Fresno Unified School Board approved a resolution Wednesday opposing the city’s Southeast Development Area plan.

Fresno Unified trustees approved a resolution opposing SEDA as initially proposed. The city is currently revising the plan.

Related Story: Fresno Unified Trustees Approve SEDA Opposition After Heated Public Comment

Prior to this, trustees tabled the resolution in February, saying the item did not fall within their purview. Later, a Fresnoland report revealed that Dyer texted trustees in February urging them to reject the proposed SEDA opposition and citing his aforementioned silence on educational matters.

An identical message sent to at least four trustees says: “It is my hope that FUSD does not take a position and oppose SEDA development. That would open the door for the mayor to start engaging on educational issues which I have avoided in the past when media ask for my opinion.”

Additionally, Central Unified trustees voted to formally oppose SEDA in late April. Dyer did not mention the school district in his comments.

Related Story: Central Unified Trustees Make It Official: We Unanimously Oppose SEDA

“Some school districts have decided to weigh in in an area that, quite frankly, I don’t believe that they have any business talking about. Most importantly because they’re uninformed,” Dyer said. “Whether you support SEDA or you don’t, the most important thing is we support our kids.”

O’Brien declined to take a stance on SEDA, saying her expertise is in education and it was not appropriate for her to weigh in. Dyer asserted that the two have not discussed SEDA.

The 9,000-acre development plan falls within Clovis Unified and Sanger Unified boundaries — two districts Dyer applauded. Both districts have higher test scores than Fresno Unified and growing enrollment.

“We saw what can happen in Sanger Unified School District. They’re turning things around. We’ve seen what can happen in Clovis Unified for decades,” Dyer said. “But we’re not seeing that right here in Fresno and Fresno Unified. And so we need to do more for our students, there needs to be an outcry.”

Fresno Unified was not immediately available for comment.