The biggest mistake FUSD has made is their collective effort to exert themselves as the ultimate power in this situation, resulting in wasted taxpayer dollars. The ultimate decision makers are the tax paying voters. Us. Our collective effort will make that very clear. It can not be forgotten that very pivotal incidents were open for us advocates and most importantly our kids to watch. We have organized a divide and conquer approach that will begin with several public records requests this week.

This was recently published - Who is Bob Nelson’s greatest enemy? Q&A with Fresno Unified outgoing superintendent. There is so much to absorb in this article, and it reflects his poor leadership. Poor leadership that enabled this situation to not only happen but thrive. Poor leadership that continues to hinder the credibility of the school district that our children are dependent on for their education.

“A lot of educators say I don’t do politics. There’s no such thing. What you’re saying is I do it, I’m just not good at it,” Nelson told The Fresno Bee. - This acknowledgement of the role “politics” play within the district confirms the reason(s) this situation has been allowed to carry on as long as it has. A use of “politics” to gain influence on decisions starts from the very top and can only be corrected by those at the very top. Too many FUSD employee’s leave their morals and integrity behind when decisions are made.

“Among other things, Nelson told The Bee that the school board has been known for conflict and that it can be traced back to the switch a decade ago from at-large to district-based voting. He also offered that some board members, general speaking, use their seats as stepping stones to other, more powerful elected positions. “... They see us as the AAA franchise of other political interests.” We can only hope the ones who have motivates that are not kids are exposed. Again making this item a critical aspect in forcing the current board members to show their colors. The real question is - what are their political interests? Trustee Levine has shown he doesn't care about kids.

“I mean, honestly, my job is to try and block and tackle community politics to make sure that the interests of the kids are (addressed).” Again lies. We know for a fact that Superintendent Nelson received an email from former Coach Birkle, pleading for help, before she quit her coaching position. The second female coach to leave FHS under the toxic circumstances they endured. It was completely ignored, not even a response from a different employee. Where was his “block and tackle community politics” in this situation? I personally can’t wait for that to be published.

“I wouldn’t name a person, but I’ll say there are folks whose interests in the district have nothing to do with children. If that’s where you are, the superintendent is not a person, right? The superintendent is a thing, the superintendent is either a barrier getting in the way of you accomplishing what it is you want to do, or the superintendent is the vehicle who’s going to give you a job or a contract or provide access to revenue. People that orient to me only through the lens of being a vehicle or barrier.... Those are the people I’m watching out for.” Lies, lies, lies. Again the other club that interfered in Coach Lopez’s program DOES NOT serve kids and took priority over kids. IT STILL HASN’T BEEN CORRECTED. Why are those responsible not his “enemy”? Again there were VERY visual indicators showing us what happened. The “thing” he mentions is how our kids have been treated. Marginalized like they do not matter.

The results of FUSD’s decisions are the most critical aspect of this. I want to see the results of correcting this situation. In three years -

• There has not been a year round  year, regular and offseason program since Coach Lopez left.
• The student participation numbers have plummeted, resulting in there not being a complete girls team since Coach Lopez’s departure.
• No team bonding.
• No fundraising.
• No bridging with parents and the community. All gone.

What is left - 

• A boys coach who endangered kids in Santa Cruz, harasses others, and simply doesn’t put much effort into the teams he is responsible for.
• A girls coach who is so incompetent she has not been able to field a complete girls team in the almost three years she has been the head coach. Oh and she did NOT play water polo.
• An adult only club using the facilities that took priority over the kids at FHS.

Please continue to send emails to the FUSD board requesting this situation be added to the next board meeting agenda as a formal item. A formal item that will require a trustee vote. We are preparing for the possible media coverage surrounding this. 

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 JonassonRosas,Elizabeth.Jonasson.Rosas@fresnounified.org 

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