With accusations of “incompetence” and “unprofessional conduct” now filed, the Board of Registered Nursing has turned over its investigation of two school nurses’ conduct surrounding a Fresno Unified student’s death in 2022 — which a whistleblower called avoidable — to the California Attorney General’s Office.

The board recommended on June 22 that the license and public health certificate of Xai Elizabeth Torres be either revoked or suspended. The district told GV Wire on Thursday that Torres separated from the district in February. She had been on paid administrative leave for more than a year, according to a different lawsuit.

Torres is a relative of Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her, according to a lawsuit against the district.

In May, the board recommended that the license of Lydia Chrisel White be revoked or suspended. The board also accused White of misdiagnosing a broken wrist two weeks before the student’s death.

Both nurses could be fined for the cost of the investigation.

The accusations come as multiple lawsuits — including from the whistleblower whom Fresno Unified disciplined — allege nepotism, retaliation, and incompetence among Fresno Unified’s executive staff.

Requests for comment from School Board President Veva Islas and Fresno Unified on issues other than Torres’ employment status were not returned. Calls and messages made to Torres didn’t receive a response.

White Does Not Call Ambulance for Asthmatic Student

In 2022, an 11-year-old student at Homan Elementary died following a severe asthma attack at school, the nursing board reports state. Before going to White, the student had used her inhaler six times, unable to catch her breath.

Despite being in “severe respiratory distress” and needing a wheelchair to be transported, White contacted the student’s family to pick her up, the accusation states. White never called an ambulance.

“Respondent further documented that (the student) should be referred to a physician or the emergency department,” the accusation against White stated. “Respondent did not call emergency services and did not administer rescue medication.”

White also did not document the student’s vitals, including blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin color, speaking ability, or muscle use regarding breathing. The accusation found that the student did not have an Asthma Action Plan despite a Fresno Unified policy requiring one for asthmatic students.

Fresno Unified’s standard asthma policy states that nurses should call an ambulance first and the family second.

After being picked up by a grandparent, the student’s condition worsened and on the way to the hospital, she went into cardiac arrest. She died at the hospital of an anoxic brain injury.

“Following (the student’s) death, respondent did not report her office visit with (the student) to administration for appropriate follow up or an investigation,” the report stated.

In the misdiagnosed broken wrist case, White reportedly gave that student an ice pack then left to treat other patients, never getting the student’s name or assessing the injury.

That student left and was later taken to the emergency room by a parent.

Torres’ Investigation of White Falls Short

After Fresno Unified learned about the student’s death, the district tasked Torres — a friend of White’s and her immediate supervisor, according to the whistleblower lawsuit — with conducting the investigation. The whistleblower lawsuit stated the investigation lasted only a few hours.

The investigation by the California Board of Registered Nurses found that Torres did not create a written report, never said what kind of discipline occurred, and didn’t explain what kind of coaching occurred.

Torres also did not review medical records related to the student’s care, nor did she interview family members or medical providers.

It was not until after the whistleblower nurse filed his lawsuit against the district two years later that Fresno Unified disciplined Torres.

Before filing suit, the whistleblower received a letter of reprimand from the district for accessing medical records of the dead student. The whistleblower nurse maintains what he did did not violate privacy laws.

The whistleblower lawsuit states that the district put Torres on paid administrative leave in late 2024.

Since leaving the district, Torres has started a consulting business focusing on special education and health, according to a Facebook post.

FUSD Health Dept. Director Lacked Medical Background

At the time of the student’s death, Torres’ department director was Amy Idsvoog, who does not have a medical background yet oversaw the district’s health and security personnel. Idsvoog is married to Paul Idsvoog, Fresno Unified’s Director of Operational Services.

Another lawsuit against the district alleges that in 2013, Paul Idsvoog conditioned his employment at Fresno Unified on his wife getting hired as well. Amy Idsvoog has since been reassigned as the district’s executive officer of customer service. This follows other reassignments.

Earlier this year, the district paid $1.76 million to settle a lawsuit from several school nurses alleging discrimination and retaliation, including being passed over for promotions by Torres.

Multiple lawsuits against Fresno Unified that also name Amy Idsvoog as a defendant are winding their way through the courts.

Board of Registered Nursing Accusation Against Lydia White

Board of Registered Nursing Complaint Against Xai ‘Liz’ Torres