Samantha "Sam" Bridgeforth could be the poster child for Sunnyside High School's restorative practices program. As a sophomore, her grade-point average was 1.0 — a D. She was often angry, rude to school staffers, quick to start swinging her fists in fights. After numerous suspensions, she was inches away from...
Straight Talk From Bob Nelson on the State of Fresno Unified
Bob Nelson begins his third year as superintendent of Fresno Unified radiating his trademark optimism but with eyes wide open and hands gripping a full plate of big challenges. "This is the single greatest thing that's ever happened to me," the superintendent says about leading California's third-largest school district. "And...
Finally, Fresno Unified's Trajectory Is Pointing Up
After 43 years of bare-knuckled brawling, the leaders of Fresno Unified and its teachers union tried something different in hope of getting a better result. It worked. And that's good news for the district's students, families, and teachers. It's good news, too, for Fresno. Few would disagree our city's future...
State Auditor Nabs Fresno State Groundskeepers for $111,000
You'd think by now that California state employees who sleep on the job, leave their posts early or buy unauthorized stuff would realize that State Auditor Elaine M. Howle and her staff are watching. But state employees keep thinking they can fleece taxpayers. And they keep getting caught. Howle issued...
Fresno State President Schedules Two Forums to Address Professor’s Tweets
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro will hold two campus forums this week to address the nationwide controversy triggered by the tweets of creative writing professor Randa Jarrar. The first forum will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the North Gym and is for students, faculty and staff only, a...
No Discipline For Fresno State Prof After Bush Bashing Twitter Storm
Controversial Fresno State creative writing professor Randa Jarrar won't be disciplined for tweets made following the death of first lady Barbara Bush, university President Joe Castro announced in a letter posted on social media Tuesday. "Professor Jarrar’s conduct was insensitive, inappropriate and an embarrassment to the university. I know her...