Big Shifts in Fresno Unified: Leadership Changes and Program Cuts
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The Search for a new Superintendent
What Happened?
During a special meeting on April 9th, the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) Board Trustees had a community advisory panel to interview finalists for the Superintendent position. These panelists, selected by individual board members, interviewed candidates in a closed session. While the board has yet to make an official public announcement, it appears Interim Superintendent Misty Her has been selected as the new Superintendent, and contract negotiations are currently underway.
The search for a new superintendent began in January 2024 after Bob Nelson announced he would be stepping down as FUSD’s Superintendent at the end of that school year. From the start, community involvement was emphasized as a crucial part of the process. At an April 2024 meeting, Trustee Johannas Rosas highlighted the importance of addressing community concerns and incorporating public feedback in the decision making process. GO Public Schools’ South Valley Director, Sade Williams, also spoke out during public commentary to urge the board to prioritize community input. After a 5-2 vote the board postponed interviews until more voices could be heard regarding the situation.
In May of 2024, Fresno Unified School Districts own Deputy Superintendent, Misty Her, was voted on to become Interim Superintendent while the search for a new superintendent continued. Her, who is a product of Fresno’s education system, has spent much of her professional career within FUSD. As Deputy Superintendent, Her focused on student achievement through data analysis has continued to emphasize student outcomes as Interim Superintendent.
After the voting and interviews the opportunity for public commentary arose to hear back from the community regarding the anointing of Misty Her as Superintendent but there was no feedback given or discourse had.
Why is this Important?
The appointment of Misty Her as the new Superintendent of Fresno Unified is a historic moment for the district. Her not only has extensive experience within the district, but she is also set to become the first Hmong superintendent in FUSD history. This is a powerful moment of representation for the Fresno region, which is home to the second-largest Hmong population in the United States. With Her’s deep roots in Fresno, having attended FUSD schools and graduated from Fresno State, she brings a unique perspective on the needs of the community. She knows firsthand the needs of students and families, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Beyond Her’s personal story, this appointment is important because superintendents play a critical role in shaping the educational future of thousands of students. Her background in student achievement and data-driven decision-making aligns with the district’s focus on improving educational outcomes for all students. These attributes will be crucial in tackling persistent issues across the district. Even throughout her tenure as Interim Superintendent, Her has set bold goals for the district. At the beginning of the school year, Her outlined two key goals for the year: improving student outcomes and achieving operational excellence/customer service, emphasizing curriculum refinement, support services, and resource management. She followed up with the presentation of a roadmap to the Board that highlights how FUSD would work towards achieving their goals with different strategies aimed at making a 15-point increase in the “distance from standard” (DFS) each year, to help more students achieve and exceed grade level standards (learn more about what happened in our September and October school board reports).
What Can You Do?
- Stay Informed: Attend or view the FUSD school board meetings to stay up to date with what is happening within your district
- Advocate for FUSD students: Use public commentary to make your voice be heard if there is something that could be be changed in order to better student achievement
The End of Designated Schools
What Happened?
In January of 2025, FUSD Board Trustee’s quietly made the decision to discontinue the Designated School Program. This decision was made outside of school board meetings and parents were informed via School Site Council (SSC) meetings.
Launched in 2014, the Designated Schools Program was aimed at boosting student achievement at underperforming schools. It included an extra 30 minutes of instructional time for students and 10 extra learning days for teachers. However, district leaders, including Interim Superintendent Her, cited mixed results and inconsistencies in program implementation as reasons for ending it. A deeper analysis of the 2020-2021 data showed varied effectiveness in student outcomes. Chief Communications Officer Nikki Henry shared that in addition to those results, there were additional concerns about the declining enrollment and lower average daily attendance.
The community banded together after the decision had been announced and this became a hot topic during the February 12th school board meeting as well as the March 26th meeting. Educators, parents, and students alike voiced their concerns during these time and they included:
- Is there going to be a plan put into motion for students who may fall behind without the extra instructional time?
- Why was there no community engagement when it came to making this decision?
- How does this decision align with the newly implemented guardrails?
- How can the loss of resources and support for students be avoided?
- How will this decision lead to improved student outcomes?
Why is this Important?
The end of Designated Schools marks a time of uncertainty for students and educators alike. This program provides students with more time and resources to succeed while also allowing teachers to learn from each other to have the best methods possible to help their students have better outcomes.
Community members, including educators and families, have raised important questions about what comes next. Their concerns have centered not just on the decision itself, but on the process that lacked open engagement before the change was announced. At recent board meetings, many voiced the need for a clear transition plan to ensure that students who previously benefited from the additional support are not left behind.
The decision also comes at a time when FUSD is implementing new Goals and Guardrails intended to improve student outcomes district-wide (you can read more about the implemented Goals and Guardrails for the district in our February and March school board reports). As the district continues to consider strategies for supporting students, particularly in schools that previously received these resources, transparency and collaboration will be key. Ongoing dialogue with the community can help ensure that any new approach is not only data-informed, but also responsive to the needs of students, families, and educators.
What Can You Do?
- Stay Informed: Attend or view the FUSD school board meetings to stay up to date with what is happening within your district
- Advocate for FUSD students: Use public commentary to make your voice be heard if there is something that could be be changed in order to better student achievement
- Join our Family Leadership Program: Gain the knowledge and tools you need to influence educational systems and policies effectively. Reach out to Sade Williams, South Valley Director, to learn more about how you can get involved.