Fresno Unified has reached an agreement with three current and former employees, agreeing to pay $1.76 million to the plaintiffs.

In 2024, veteran school nurses Joni Kolb, Janell Beamon, and Heidi Sagaser filed a complaint against the district that alleged discrimination.

In what they parties call an “amicable resolution” of the dispute, the district paid a total of $1,765,000 in payments on Dec. 15, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026.

In exchange, the plaintiffs “release and forever discharge” Fresno Unified and all related individuals from any and all claims.

“I would describe it as the definition of a livable settlement where neither side is happy,” said attorney Howard Sagaser, Heidi’s ex-husband. “The nurses are relieved to be out of what they maintain was a hostile work environment but are concerned that the underlying problems that prompted the lawsuit have not been properly addressed by the district.”

The original lawsuit alleged age, race, and disability discrimination alongside multiple counts of retaliation and harassment.

Fresno Unified Doesn’t Admit Wrongdoing

Fresno Unified denied and continues to deny all claims, unlawful actions, or liability. This compromise is not “an admission of liability or wrongdoing,” court documents state.

All the parties have agreed to make “no maliciously false statements’ about the other.

The district will place Beamon and Sagaser on paid administrative leave until June 30 before they voluntarily resign. Both qualify for a supplemental executive retirement plan, which provides additional retirement benefits.

Kolb, who is already retired, will receive $80,000 from the total settlement due to being ineligible for the supplemental executive retirement plan.

The cost of the settlement will “force overdue and necessary changes at the administrative level,” Sagaser predicted.

Fresno Unified did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication

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Original Lawsuit Alleges Age Discrimination in Fresno Unified

The lawsuit alleges the highly qualified nurses were passed over for promotions due to their age and faced retaliation for filing complaints.

Director of Health Services and Superintendent Misty Her’s cousin, Xai “Liz” Torres, awarded positions to younger nurses with less experience, the lawsuit said.

All three nurses have decades of experience as nurses in the district.

Additionally, Torres allegedly referred to those over the age of 50 as “older nurses” and told Sagaser that she “did not like the older nurses, as they always ask for extra pay when they are asked to do extra work, and that they are afraid of COVID.”

Torres also disbanded a longtime advisory nurse panel, replacing it with a professional learning committee. She did not select Kolb, Beamon, or Sagaser — once again opting for younger nurses.

A text message chain cited in the lawsuit showed a group of nurses, including Torres, colluding to get older nurses fired.

“I filed a complaint against (Beamon) and that’s how I know this is the last straw for her,” one person wrote.

“Unfortunately, until the work environment and discrimination concerns are properly addressed, lawsuits will continue to be filed and both the students and taxpayers will suffer,” Sagaser said. “Those who are not qualified for administrative positions or who are not properly doing their job need to be replaced. Teachers and nurses should have a positive work environment where students can be educated.”

Another school nurse, Lisa VanRyn, has also filed a lawsuit against the district alleging similar mismanagement and retaliation.

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