The Fresno Teachers Association wants Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas to resign her post, saying “when an elected official loses the trust of the community, the responsible choice is to step aside.”

Thomas, who is in a run-off for a Fresno City Council seat, will leave the School Board at year’s end after two terms regardless of the election’s outcome.

Presently, Thomas is the subject of a defamation lawsuit filed against her by former longtime Bullard High School football coach Donny Arax.

Arax filed the suit after Thomas alleged that he called her son the n-word. Thus far, amid depositions and court rulings, the lawsuit appears to be going in Arax’s favor, leaving Thomas and Fresno Unified exposed to millions of dollars in potential damages.

Related Story: What Fresno Trustee Keshia Thomas’ Son Told Media Versus How He Testified

Can the Community Trust Thomas?

The developments of the last several days make clear that this is no longer simply about a lawsuit,” FTA said in a Facebook post on Sunday. “It is about whether the community can continue to trust an elected official.

“For more than four years, Thomas has defended a defamation lawsuit stemming from a serious public accusation against a Fresno Unified employee. Last week, she permanently gave up the defense that her statements were true.

Continued FTA:

“Her son’s sworn declaration and subsequent, conflicting public account have raised even more questions about the factual foundation of that accusation. And the consequences now go well beyond Trustee Thomas.

“Fresno Unified has already spent approximately $350,000 in legal fees connected to her defense, and the district could still face millions of dollars in additional costs depending on the outcome of this case. Those dollars matter because money spent on legal costs and potential judgments is money that cannot support students, classrooms, educators, and other district employees.”

Related Story: Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas’ Son Gives His Account of What ...

FTA Back Arambula for Council Over Thomas

Thomas faces termed-out state Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula for the District 3 city council seat representing parts of downtown and west Fresno.

The teacher union, which is active in politics beyond Fresno Unified, has contributed $5,000 to Arambula’s effort, campaign finance documents show.