Three trustees said Monday they plan to seek re-election to the Fresno Unified School District board, an election sizing up to be a contentious battle.
On the first day of filing, trustees Carol Mills, Manuel Núñez and Janet Ryan went to the Fresno County election's office to file paperwork to seek another four-year term.
Mills has strong support from the Fresno Teachers Association, a union with deep financial pockets that prevailed in the last school board election in 2006. The teachers union wants to oust Núñez and Ryan for their unwavering support of Superintendent Michael Hanson.
A key point of contention is a raise the school board gave Hanson in January -- from $205,000 to $277,000 a year. Hanson also will receive a bonus of $30,000 and at least a 3.5% raise each year if he receives a positive evaluation from the board.
Mills voted against Hanson's salary package.
Mills and Ryan have served one term on the board. Núñez has served 18 years.
The three said Monday they are proud of the work they have done in the past four years. Núñez and Ryan also said they know they are targets of the teachers union, but said Hanson is worth the money he receives.
"Today our budget is balanced, our leadership is stable and student achievement comes first," Ryan said.
In the past four years, Fresno Unified trustees overcame the threat of a state takeover, successfully negotiated a new contract with the teachers union, built a healthy budget reserve and restored highly popular art and music programs, the three trustees said. The board recently adopted a budget for the upcoming school year that will prevent layoffs of teachers or cuts to student programs, they said.
"I want to make sure this progress continues on that path for the next four years," Núñez said.
Fresno Unified, with 76,504 students, is the fourth largest school district in California. Nearly 85% of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school, according to the state Department of Education.
Trustees, in general, adopt budgets, curriculum and policies. The position pays $1,500 a month.
There are seven members on the school board, but only the seats held by Mills, Núñez and Ryan are on the Nov. 4 ballot. Candidates have until Aug. 8 to file papers. The district is divided into seven areas. Trustees must live in the area they represent, but the voting is districtwide.
So far, Larry Moore, a teacher and past president of the teachers union, and Virginia Hermosillo, a homemaker and PTA vice president and classroom volunteer at McCardle Elementary School, have publicly expressed a desire to run. They are both seeking support from the teachers union.
Moore plans to run against Núñez, and Hermosillo plans to challenge Ryan. They contend the district should spend more money on students and teachers and less on Hanson or his administration.
The nearly 4,000-member teachers union's clout was evident in 2006, when it pumped more than $164,000 into the school board race -- an effort that helped oust trustees Luisa Medina and Pat Barr. The FTA backed the winners -- incumbents Valerie Davis and Tony Vang and newcomers Michelle Arax Asadoorian and Cal Johnson.
This past school year, the union gave Mills the "Friend of Education" award for her leadership skills.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy fresnobee.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines.
Here are the ground rules:
Contents of this site are © Copyright The Fresno Bee. All rights reserved.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@