Fresno Unified School District has hired a search firm to help the district conduct its national search for superintendent.
The district hopes to have a permanent hire in place by the end of the school year.
The big picture: Last week the FUSD Board of Education unanimously approved a $34,500 contract with McPherson & Jacobson LLC to conduct the search.
- McPherson & Jacobson has conducted over 1,000 superintendent searches across the nation, with nearly 80% of candidates hired having remained in the same position over the last five years.
- The board also set certain criteria for the next superintendent, requiring candidates to have previous district-level leadership experience and experience with a diverse population similar to Fresno.
The backstory: Former Superintendent Bob Nelson announced his departure from the district in January 2024 for a teaching position at Fresno State.
- The board named Deputy Superintendent Misty Her as the interim leader last May.
- That came after the board appeared ready to make a permanent hire from inside the district. Last April, the board was interviewing internal candidates but faced significant public opposition from Trustee Susan Wittrup, Fresno Teachers Association President Manuel Bonilla and several elected officials and other community leaders who pushed the board to open the search up to external candidates.
