Several candidates are preparing for a school board election nine months away to represent the southwest region of Fresno Unified School District.

Rizpah Bellard may have the most unique resume — a rancher and educator with an Ivy League education. She launched her campaign for the Area 1 seat last November.

In addition, a recent “Got Milk?” campaign featured Bellard.

She filed paperwork to raise funds and has already loaned herself $11,250 for the campaign.

Keshia Thomas, who represents the Edison High region, is running for Fresno City Council District 3. If Thomas doesn’t make it out of the June 2 council primary, the door would open for her to seek re-election to the school board in Area 1.

During her time as trustee, Thomas has been the center of controversy involving Golden Charter Academy. She also is the subject of a defamation lawsuit filed by former Bullard High School football coach Don Arax.

Candidates for the Nov. 3 school board election can currently file paperwork to raise funds. The filing window to run opens July 13.

Other potential candidates who have filed fundraising paperwork for Area 1 include community activist and one-time Fresno County education board trustee Daren Miller, Deshunna Ricks, and Ingram Tate. None has yet reported fundraising totals.

Bellard: Believes in High Achievement

Bellard grew up in Guinda in Yolo County in a ranching family. She moved to Fresno in 2021 — her father is a Fresno native — and operates Nova Farming in Fresno. She also runs a cattle ranch in Kern County.

She worked as a substitute teacher for Fresno Unified and said she saw a need in her west Fresno neighborhood.

“A lot of the kids were without educational support during the summer of 2024, so I stepped in and led summer school on my porch,” Bellard said.

Nova Farming also provided an educational curriculum for Fresno Unified students.

Bellard excelled academically — she is fluent in Spanish, started community college at age 12, and graduated from Cornell University at age 20.

“I believe in high academic achievement. I believe in opportunity. I believe in the power of education and the opportunities it can give you in life,” Bellard said.

That commitment, she said, makes her the best choice for the school board. Her priorities include early childhood literacy, community engagement, accountability, and “rebuilding the village.”

“I believe I’m a great voice to help show how to access these resources and opportunities in our community,” Bellard said.

She also operates Blynd Essence, which provides housing for homeless individuals on her Fresno ranch.

Regarding her “Got Milk?” ad, Bellard said the executive director of the milk board found her through media stories about her educational efforts.

“(The milk board) thought I would be a great person to represent the Central Valley, for my ranching background and my community advocacy work in Fresno,” Bellard said.

Ricks: How to Improve African-American Education

Ricks has a doctorate in education and teaches classes at several local colleges. She is an entrepreneur and educator, and the CEO of the nonprofit I Am Valuable, which mentors students and facilitates a Black parenting course.

“Our children deserve the best. I know that in Fresno Unified, certain student groups have historically underperformed,” Ricks said.

Ricks attended FUSD schools in west Fresno and worked as a district educator for 11 years.

Proper student interventions and teacher training can improve academic performance for Black, Hispanic and Native American students, Ricks said.

“Students, particularly in Area 1, need avenues for prosperity,” Ricks said.

She said she wants high school students to work in the community.

“Not only they can give back to their community and that community grows and thrives, but they also are able to learn the skills that they need, earn economic mobility and be able to have the confidence they need to continue to live the life that they want to live,” Ricks said.

Educators and school board candidates have long said schools have shortchanged Black students.

Ricks said curriculum “can be more culturally appropriate and culturally relevant for students.”

“Sometimes when you don’t see yourself in the curriculum, you’re not connected to it. If I don’t see myself in something, why should I be engaged in the process?” Ricks said.

Ricks also said parents need more support.

“If there were more resources and support, particularly in Area 1, parents would be more willing and able to help their children,” Ricks said.

Two Others Eye Edison Region Seat

Miller was appointed to the Fresno County Education Board but lost his bid for re-election in 2020. He also previously ran for Fresno City Council.

“I desire to use my 34 years of educational experience to help improve academic outcomes, increase school safety, and redirect decades of underperformance in FUSD,” Miller said in a brief comment to GV Wire.

Tate did not respond to messages from GV Wire.

Incumbents Raising Money

Three other Fresno Unified trustee seats will be on the November ballot. Only incumbents have filed fundraising paperwork so far.

Incumbent Valerie Davis raised $2,900 in 2025 — all loans to herself — and has $6,537 cash on hand. She represents Area 3, the eastern part of the district, generally bordered by Shaw, Chestnut, Clovis and Jensen avenues. It is known as the Sunnyside High region.

Susan Wittrup represents Area 7, the northwest part of the district commonly referred to as the Bullard High region. She raised $46,489 in 2025 and has $40,191 cash on hand.

Granville Homes Inc. contributed $15,000 to Wittrup’s campaign. Darius Assemi is CEO of Granville Homes and publisher of GV Wire.

Wittrup’s largest expense was $12,485 paid to Park West Associates — connected with Fresno political consultant Alex Tavlian — for information technology costs.

Veva Islas raised $3,300 in 2025, all loans to herself, and has $812 cash on hand. She represents Area 4 (the McLane High region), in the central portion of the district.