The six members of the Clovis Unified school board interviewed five candidates Thursday night to fill a vacancy and join them on an interim basis. The board chose to appoint a candidate after longtime trustee Brian Heryford retired last month. The appointee would complete the remainder of a term expiring...
Fresno Teachers Get a Do-Over Vote On Union Fee Proposal
A plan by the Fresno Unified teachers union to charge members an extra $5 monthly to bankroll a new union-run foundation will be up for a revote this month after a legal challenge by dissident members put the plan on hold. The Fresno Teachers Association was ready to start collecting...
New Clovis Unified Board Member Coming. More Could Follow.
More change is coming to the Clovis Unified school board. Brian Heryford, a trustee for 23 years, retired earlier this month. The board decided to appoint a newcomer to fill the remaining year-plus of his term. Applications are due by 3 p.m. Friday. The board will make the appointment Oct....
Report: Clovis, Sanger Districts Among Best at Closing 'Achievement Gap'
Clovis and Sanger unified school districts are among seven in California that are making the most progress in closing the so-called "achievement gap" for students of color and those in poverty, according to a new report released Tuesday in Sacramento. The Learning Policy Institute, a research nonprofit that aims to...
Protest of Nunes' Appearance Fizzles on a Hot August Night
Based on the social media chatter, you would have expected herds of people protesting Rep. Devin Nunes' appearance at a Fresno County Republican Party fundraising dinner Wednesday night. But only two people showed up to express their dissatisfaction with the congressman for the 22nd District of California. The three reporters...
A Clovis Unified Trustee Will Retire in 2020. Who Wants the Seat?
Brian Heryford, a fixture on the Clovis Unified School District Board of Trustees since 1996, won't run for reelection in 2020. Instead, the insurance brokerage owner and community leader says he will pull up stakes and retire in Washington state. "My journey is ending," said Heryford, who is board president....
State Has New Anti-Bias Hair Law. Fresno Schools Say They Comply.
Holly Mitchell had a simple motivation in crafting a law to ban discrimination against natural hairstyles like hers. “Racism,” the state senator from Los Angeles said during a recent stop in Fresno. Mitchell is black, and wears her hair in braids. Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Mitchell’s CROWN...
Foundation Honors Clovis Unified Students Who Persevere
Each spring, the Students of Promise program recognizes 16 Clovis Unified high school juniors who are succeeding in the face of challenging situations such as the death of parents, unstable living conditions, abuse, or health complications. Along with the recognition, each of these "heroes in everyday life" receives a $2,000...
Black Teachers Provide Big Boost to African American Students
There has long been an academic achievement gap between white and black students. Historically, black students have graduated from colleges and universities at lower rates than their white peers. California, which is home to the fifth-largest black population in the country, is no exception. However, new research shows that having just one black teacher can...
Hurtado’s Bill Aims To Reduce Suicide in California
When Brandy Lidbeck was 10 years old, her mom killed herself. "It was incredibly devastating," said Lidbeck, the program coordinator for Survivors of Suicide Loss. For years, Lidbeck felt alone, ashamed and embarrassed. She constantly wondered if she bore any responsibility. "You are always questioning what if I did this or what if...