Installing portable classrooms is a fairly typical move for schools that have more students than instructional space, although not always a desired solution. In the case of Justin Garza High School, Central Unified's newest school, portables will be needed next fall because classroom space won't be available for the four...
Fresno Political Aide Looks Set to Unseat Central Trustee. Big Leads in Other Races.
Editor's Note: This story initially reported incorrectly that Joshua Sellers was an incumbent in the Area 1 race. There may be two new faces on the Central Unified School Board as a result of Tuesday's elections. Four seats — Areas 1, 2, 4, and 7 — were up for election....
State Ed Delays Test Score Release. Fresno Reports Lower Scores.
EdSource is criticizing the California Department of Education's decision to delay releasing test score data from last spring until later this year — possibly after November's election — and says that educators, policymakers, parents, and the public need the information sooner, not later. The Oakland-based nonprofit, which reports on...
Back to School in Fresno and Clovis: What to Know on Masks, Schedules, Campus Changes
The first day of the new school year is rapidly approaching for Valley students and school staffers, and with the new year comes new starting times and bus schedules, a new Fresno elementary, and a new gym at a Fresno high school. Many people will be glad to hear...
Strong Divisions Remain After Central Trustees Make Choice for School’s New Name
Central Unified trustees outraged advocates on both sides of a school renaming battle when they voted 4-2 Tuesday night to choose a neutral name for the school formerly known as James K. Polk Elementary. And some of those trustees could wind up being the targets of recall efforts, several...
More Security Needed? Cops May Be Coming to Fresno Middle School Campuses
Two school boards in Fresno could amend contracts this month with the Fresno Police Department to add police officers on middle school campuses as school resource officers. For Fresno Unified, the proposed $1,017,761 contract addendum would restore officers who have been absent from middle school campuses since the last...
Central Unified Trustee Areas Face Major Revisions in Redistricting
Large swaths of the Central Unified School District could wind up in newly assigned trustee areas under three proposals under consideration by the School Board. The plans are scheduled to be presented at tonight's Central Unified board meeting as an information item. The meeting will be held at Central...
No Charges for Central Unified Schools Chief. Here’s His Reaction.
The superintendent for the Central Unified School District will not face charges after his arrest earlier this summer on suspicion of committing domestic violence. Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno announced she will not charge Andy Alvarado, who was hired to lead the district in 2018. "After thoroughly examining the...
Changing This New School’s Name Will Cost Fresno-Area District an Extra $38K
When Central Unified School District trustees agreed last year to name the district's newest campus Justin Garza High School, they may not have known it would cost taxpayers $38,003. That's because when the contract to build the school was awarded to Harris Construction in 2019, the name listed on the...
Central Unified Accelerates Return to Classroom for All Students
Central Unified School District announced Thursday that students will be returning to school in April after more than a year of distance learning because of the pandemic. Many students will have in-person instruction according to hybrid schedules to limit the number of students in classrooms and keep them safely distanced...