The Fresno Police Department has completed its investigation into an altercation involving Fresno Unified trustee Terry Slatic and a student that took place last week and was captured on video. The report, which was being forwarded to the Fresno County District Attorney’s office, does not make a recommendation about potential charges....
Is Nelson's 'Happy Warrior' Style a Fit for Fresno Unified's New Board?
Bob Nelson is asking Fresno Unified School District trustees to evaluate his performance just four months after receiving a positive evaluation from the previous board. The request comes after two public meetings with a board that includes three new members. Nelson signaled his need to clear the air at Wednesday's...
Fresno Unified, EOC Provide Free Meals Over Winter Break
With the winter break in full effect at Fresno Unified, some students may wonder where they are going to get their next meal. FUSD and the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission are alleviating those concerns. In an effort that began Monday, any student at Fresno Unified and anyone ages 1 to 18 can...
Incoming Teachers Treated Like Rock Stars by Fresno Unified
Ever since Taylor King can remember, she wanted to be a teacher. "I grew up with a lot of really influential teachers and it has been a lifelong dream of mine to be a teacher," says King, who is a student teacher at Ewing Elementary School. On Tuesday morning, King and...
'Sweet' Holiday Sounds Break Heart of Mom With Excluded Son
School holiday concerts and plays are a source of great pride for parents. The singing, acting, and costumes often provide joyful lifetime memories. But the holiday program Wednesday night at Figarden Elementary School triggered anguish in Chrissy and Michael Kelly. Special Needs Class Excluded That's because the school excluded Parker...
Addams Neighborhood Now Has a Mobile Health Clinic
Salome Romero was overjoyed when she heard there would be a mobile health clinic at her children's elementary school. "I was very happy," Romero said through a translator. "Now I don't have to take my kids out of school to take them to see the doctor." Being within walking distance...
Old 'Hall of Shame' Will Now Uplift Southeast Fresno, Leaders Say
Fresno's notorious "Hall of Shame" will be transformed into a state-of-the-art alternative education site in southeast Fresno. Fresno Unified trustees voted unanimously Wednesday night to buy the old juvenile hall campus on Tenth Street, ending months of negotiations with the county of Fresno. Fresno Unified will demolish the closed campus...
Nelson is ‘Militantly Positive’ About Fresno Unified's Future
Fresno Unified is widely known as the fourth-largest school district in the state, but many may not know that its students come from the poorest families in California. In fact, Fresno Unified is not only the most impoverished, large, urban school district in California, it is second overall in the...
Teamwork Replaces Chaos in Fresno Unified, Leaders and Union Say
One year ago, Fresno Unified teachers threatened to go out on strike over stalled contract negotiations with the district. Among the issues contributing to the impasse: a demand by teachers that the district make a commitment to reducing class sizes to help address deficiencies in student achievement. On Wednesday, the...
Fresno Unified Must Make Special Ed a Priority. Not an Afterthought.
Even before Bob Nelson took over as Fresno Unified superintendent, he had to know that the district's efforts to educate students with disabilities were coming up short. The many lawsuits against the district filed by families of special education students and the voices expressing frustration at board meetings were ample...