Sal Lucatero

Sal Lucatero is all in as the community schools coordinator at Ayer Elementary School.  

Whether it’s weekly Zumba classes for parents, group counseling for moms or the Cub’s Closet — where families can “shop” for free — Lucatero is helping transform Ayer into a welcoming community hub. 

Ayer is among 29 community schools in Fresno Unified, a growing initiative that focuses on serving the entire family and the surrounding neighborhood. Community schools aim to provide comprehensive services for students and their families through district resources and partnerships with community organizations. The primary goal is to improve student outcomes. 

Lucatero began working for Fresno Unified in 2023 as an expanded learning coordinator overseeing the afterschool program. He got to know many of the Ayer families, which made for a smooth transition to community schools coordinator.  

Prior to working for Fresno Unified, he was director of integration on a mergers and acquisitions team for a technology company.  

“Whether it was integrating companies or developing after-school programs, I’ve always been drawn to creating systems that bring people together and remove barriers to access,” Lucatero said.  

Even before the official designation, Ayer had the heart of a community school. However, with a dedicated focus and structure, the school has transformed how it supports families and the community by streamlining services, improving communication and developing systems that are sustainable long after community schools grant funding ends. 

As the community schools coordinator, Lucatero can truly listen to the needs of the Ayer community. That feedback has brought about services like the Bear Necessities pantry and Cub’s Closet, providing food, hygiene items and clothing to students and families with dignity and choice. 

“We’re seeing greater buy-in and collaboration across every level, from students and parents to staff and community partners,” Lucatero said. “Everyone feels like they have a stake in creating a school that not only educates but uplifts.” 

Lucatero said Ayer is now seen as a resource hub not only for the neighborhood but for much of southeast Fresno. The school has worked hard to create partnerships that fill long-standing gaps, collaborating with Fresno City Council members, state elected officials, community-based organizations, churches and small businesses.  

For example, the school partners with Organización Las Panchas on weekly group counseling sessions for mothers and is working with the city of Fresno and District 5 Council Member Brandon Vang’s office on weekly community education and neighborhood listening sessions. Ayer’s home school liaison, Raquel Quinonez, leads Zumba classes every week for parents.  

In addition, Lucatero and the school have worked with partners to bring larger-scale resources to Ayer and its community, including distributing more than 18,000 pounds of food and engaging with more 45 community partners for health services and upcoming initiatives like a full-school shoe distribution.  

Family participation has increased significantly, with more parents attending events, workshops, and school meetings than ever before. Ayer’s Family Resource Center has become a central hub of activity, serving hundreds of families. There’s stronger alignment among staff and partners, with clearer systems in place to support students academically, socially and emotionally, Lucatero said.  

“Together, we’re helping remove barriers so students can focus on learning rather than on unmet needs,” Lucatero said.   

Lucatero said the biggest benefit of being a community school is buy-in. Community schools operate on a shared decision-making model, which means the school is not working for families, it’s working with them.  

“That kind of collaboration creates lasting impact,” Lucatero said. 

He said he’s excited about the work being done at the 28 other community schools as well. 

“Knowing there are 29 of us building this movement together makes me proud to be part of something so much bigger than one site. Together, we’re showing what’s possible when a district and a community truly invest in their students,” Lucatero said. 

 

Written by: Anne Ellis

Photos: Tony Bernard