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...
He Once Struggled to Read. Now He's on State Board of Ed.
Educators throughout the state applauded when Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed former Sanger Unified School superintendent Matt Navo to the California Board of Education in April. Besides being a pioneer in collaborative learning, he's a nationally recognized expert in special education. And he's had a taste of just about every assignment...
Special Ed Problems Are Real. The Fresno Unified Script Isn’t.
Fresno Unified leaders carefully drew up Tuesday night's roll-out of the special education budget for the next school year. Assistant Superintendent Brian Beck presented a summary of the Council of the Great City Schools special ed recommendations. Check. Beck meticulously explained the proposed new funding to the 40 teachers, advocates...
Speaking Truth to Power on Behalf of Special Ed Students
It's called speaking truth to power. And, Wednesday night, five women dedicated to special education students and families delivered the truth to the most powerful leaders in Fresno Unified. It was a remarkable, dramatic event on a night that leaders rolled out something worth celebrating: a $10 million ongoing increase...
Big Special Ed Dollars Coming. Can FUSD Deliver Better Results?
As soon as he became superintendent in 2017, Bob Nelson publicly acknowledged serious, heart-breaking problems in Fresno Unified's often-criticized special education program. The criticism hasn't relented even as Nelson has become the social media face of the district's move to "inclusion" — that is, teaching special ed students, whenever possible,...
Wild Chase Reveals FUSD Failure to Support Troubled Student
Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson and the district's trustees face perhaps the biggest challenge in his nearly 27 months of leadership. On Wednesday, a student was removed from Bullard High School by Fresno police for his safety and the safety of others after running all over the campus screaming threats...
Job One for Fresno Unified Bureaucracy? Self-Preservation.
The notion that Fresno Unified School District's mission is to educate and equip children to succeed as adults was shredded Thursday at Starr Elementary School. Rather than let Trustee Terry Slatic observe a meeting about how the district intends to improve classrooms for special education students, the district staff told...
FUSD Teachers, Parents Voice Special Ed Concerns at Town Hall
Parents and teachers came together Wednesday night to share their views on improving special education programs in Fresno Unified schools. The district has faced criticism for years that it doesn't adequately support its special needs students. Fresno Unified has also faced lawsuits by parents of special education students. The town...
This Is How Fresno Unified Can Vault to the Top
Fresno’s future depends on Fresno Unified School District. Its 74,000 students are the biggest part of our future workforce. In fact, what happens at Fresno Unified sometimes is more important than the decisions made at City Hall. If Fresno Unified fails, we all suffer the consequences: Less prosperity, more blighted...
Town Hall Aims To Improve Special Education in Fresno Unified
Improving special education at Fresno Unified is the goal of a Fresno Teachers Association's town hall Feb. 20. The discussion will start at 4:30 p.m. inside Hoover High School's library. Those interested in attending the town hall can register here. Union: Teachers Voices Should Be Heard "Special Education teachers are the...