Fresno Unified School District | Office of Communications | 2309 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721 | (559) 457-3733

Earlier this week Superintendent Nelson penned an open letter to staff and our community acknowledging the deep pain our community is grappling with as a result of the recent death of George Floyd.


In that letter he shared, “The complexities of these times will continue to leave lasting and painful memories for our children, our families, our valley, and our nation, and it is during these times that we must press harder, lean in more, LISTEN, and act.”


Late last night we learned of a racially insensitive incident involving several staff members at Hoover High School. The incident took place after hours as staff held a virtual end of year celebration. No matter the intent, the impact was fierce and was extremely hurtful to those involved. Racism and racial insensitivity will not be tolerated in our system.


Fresno Unified has begun investigating the incident. On Monday, district support staff, along with the school’s administrative team will begin the week listening to those involved and impacted, providing supports to help repair relationships, and identify necessary steps in moving its staff forward together.


In our community and around our country, we continue to see examples of racism and racial insensitivity. Fresno Unified recognizes that while our work in this area has definitely improved through its efforts with our African American Academic Acceleration task force and cultural proficiency work led by the department of Equity and Access, we are reminded once again, that more must be done. We all need to open our eyes and our hearts to the pain these racial incidents cause in our community and recognize the path and personal responsibility before us in changing future suffering and racial trauma.

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