Dr. Johnny Alvarado, a candidate for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, was placed on paid administrative leave from Parlier Unified School District, ABC30’s Gabe Ferris reported.

Previously, Alvarado claimed he voluntarily chose to retire from Parlier Unified to focus on his campaign. During an interview with ABC30, Alvarado asserted he was not placed on leave.

After ABC30 revealed documents indicating that Alvarado was placed on leave, he admitted during an appearance on KMJ radio that he tried to deceive Ferris.

“When Gabe asked me the question on May 19, the research was still being done,” Alvarado told KMJ. “Not knowing that I could speak about it, maybe that was one of the reasons why I didn’t say, ‘yes.’ ”

Alvarado’s opponents for Fresno County Superintendent — incumbent Dr. Michelle Cantwell-Copher and former Clovis Unified Superintendent Dr. Eimear O’Brien — also weighed in. They demanded transparency and integrity in statements to ABC30.

“I believe voters deserve transparency and accountability, and I trust Fresno County voters will carefully evaluate all candidates and their records,” Cantwell-Copher said.

Said O’Brien: “Fresno County will never reach its full potential if district superintendents cannot rely on the honesty and integrity of the person meant to lead and support them.”

Cracks in Alvarado’s Resume

Additionally, Alvarado entered a separation agreement with Selma Unified School District in 2022, ABC30 previously reported.

Despite this, Alvarado’s LinkedIn profile lists employment at Selma Unified until 2024.

Alvarado’s LinkedIn shows a pattern of the educator leaving districts during the school year.

He exited his role as a learning director at Fresno Unified in April and he stopped serving Crescent View South in March. He also reports leaving Clovis Unified in October. But a Clovis Unified district spokesperson told GV Wire that he resigned in September.

His LinkedIn profile also has no specific mention of Bullard High School, where Alvarado says he served as principal during COVID-19. However, there is a gap in the profile’s employment history from March 29 to Nov. 2021.

GV Wire submitted a public records request with Fresno Unified on May 12, seeking dates of employment for Alvarado. The district invoked a 14-day extension for this request on May 22.

Alvarado Uses Different Method of Reporting Scores

Alvarado also has a unique way of reporting academic gains, which can artificially inflate the results.

He touts massive gains in English Language Arts and Math post-pandemic at Bullard High School.

During the 2018-2019 school year, 46% of Bullard High students met ELA standards and 20% met math standards.

In the 2020-21 school year, 55% met ELA standards and 28% met math standards.

According to Alvarado, who calculates the “relative change” of scores, ELA results rose by 24% and math increased by 30%.

However, state and local school districts measure this change through percentage point changes, presenting results as a 9% increase in ELA and 8% increase in math.

It is important to note that only 77% of students received scores in the 2020-21 school year. Typically, more than 90% of students participate.

Additionally, Alvarado states Parlier Unified scores rose by 3% in ELA and math during his tenure. However, using standard reporting, ELA scores remained stagnant with 24% meeting standards and math rose by about 2%.