Up until last night efforts to resolve this were largely independent.  As advocates came forward, Coach Lopez and Coach Birkle endured more and more retaliation. This retaliation has included harassment, slander, defamation, and libel.  Last night that changed. Advocates met as a group for the first time since this happened. We have formally mobilized.

What does that mean specifically? We are in it for the long haul. Reinstating Coach Lopez and her team is no longer enough to resolve this. We must ensure Trustee Levine is voted out of office in November. I have learned that Trustee Levine has never met with Coach Lopez, not even a phone conversation. This confirms he DOES NOT CARE about the diverse needs of the children in the Fresno High region. Any rationale he has for not stepping in is petty and an abuse of power. His lack of action has confirmed this. He is not a voice for our children, but a hindrance to their success.

Next steps:

1. Advocates are encouraged to write their regions board member, board president Wittrup, and interim superintendent Misty Her requesting this situation be added to the agenda of the next board meeting.  Copy your region's board members as well so they know what their constituents want. This would appropriately allow for the other board members to step in and vote whether or not to make the necessary corrective actions. If this happens, the FUSD board will openly vote whether or not to correct this, an open vote would expose where these board members' priorities truly reside. This would also give advocates the opportunity to yet again advocate for this program. See email template at the bottom of this update.
2. If the reinstatement happens in June, we support the efforts to rebuild what was destroyed. If not, then we continue to gain petition signatures and work towards the November election.
3. Trustee Levine is up for reelection in November. Voters deserve to know that Trustee Levine is tone deaf when it comes to the needs of his region. He does not prioritize the region's children or listen to his constituents.  Our efforts will include: making calls, canvassing, sharing on social media, etc. #VoteLevineOut
4. Once a viable candidate is announced that is opposing Levine, we will then divert our efforts to ensure they are elected.

Email sample-

To: susan.wittrup@fresnounified.org misty.her@fresnounified.org

CC: Regions board member. List of regions and emails at the very bottom.

Dear Ms. Wittrup and Ms. Her,

I am writing today to request the FHS regular and offseason situation be formally added to the June 12th board meeting agenda during the open portion of the meeting. We would like to openly advocate for the needed corrective action to make the children of the FHS region the priority in this situation. Adding this to the board agenda would give constituents another chance to obtain the corrective action our children deserve.

I appreciate your consideration of this very important issue.

Thank you,

YOUR NAME

Bullard - Susan Wittrup, susan.wittrup@fresnounified.org

Edison - Keisha Thomas, keshia.thomas@fresnounified.org 

Fresno - Andy Levine, Andy.Levine@fresnounified.org

Hoover - Claudia Cazares, Claudia.Cazares@fresnounified.org 

McLane - Veva Islas, veva.islas@fresnounified.org

Roosevelt - Elizabeth Jonasson-Rosas, Elizabeth.Jonasson.Rosas@fresnounified.org 

Sunnyside - Valerie Davis, valerie.davis@fresnounified.org