Fresno Unified School District has made it official, announcing Wednesday night that it is removing the interim tag from Superintendent Misty Her.
The district decided to go with an inside hire after a national search to replace former Superintendent Bob Nelson.
The big picture: The Fresno Unified Board of Education announced that Her was the top finalist during its board meeting.
- Her’s contract will be brought before the board for approval on April 30.
Flashback: Fresno Unified has been without a permanent superintendent since Bob Nelson left the district at the end of last school year to take a teaching position at Fresno State.
- Her was appointed as his successor in the interim and looked to be the early favorite for the job until the district took a step back and opened the search up to nationwide candidates.
Driving the news: Her is as inside of a hire as it gets for Fresno Unified, given that she has spent her entire career with the district.
- Starting as a bilingual instructional aide over three decades ago, Her has served in the district as a teacher, vice principal, principal, instructional superintendent and deputy superintendent.
- The Board of Education interviewed four finalists for the position over the last few weeks before settling on Her.
What they’re saying: “Misty Her has spent her career dedicated to the students and families of Fresno Unified, building support within our staff and families because of her unmatched integrity and expertise,” said Board President Valerie Davis. “As an immigrant who came to this country as a child, she understands the reality of so many of our students who must overcome language and cultural barriers. A product of Fresno Unified Schools, she is the ultimate success story, and an example of how caring teachers and staff can change students’ lives.”
- Her said she is committed to seeing through a new era in Fresno Unified where the district is laser-focused on student achievement.
- “We already have the new goals and guardrails in place, and I look forward to doing all in my power to bring about the academic gains our students and families deserve,” Her said. “I know firsthand the many challenges our district faces, but I believe that with the expertise and talent of our staff, collaboration and a research-based approach, we will make incredible progress. I am beyond excited about the opportunities ahead.”
