Education Lab Newsletter

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Although four Fresno Unified school board seats are on the ballot this November, one race seems to be hogging the spotlight — at least in terms of campaign dollars.

The race for the Bullard High School area seat is by far the most expensive of the four FUSD races.

Since 2021, over $182,000 has been raised and over $94,000 spent between the race’s two high-profile candidates: incumbent Terry Slatic and retired FUSD school psychologist Susan Wittrup, according to Fresno County Clerk’s Office records.

Wittrup’s campaign has poured the bulk of that money in. Since 2021, the rookie politician has raised over $163,000 in contributions and spent roughly $84,700 on her campaign. Slatic has raised $18,850 and spent just under $10,000 in the same time frame.

But Wittrup hasn’t just outraised her three opponents in the Bullard race — she’s also received more contributions since 2021 than all other 12 candidates in FUSD races this fall combined.

Why so expensive?

The Bullard-area candidates have different takes on why their race has such a high price tag.

Wittrup called the “outpouring” of financial support for her campaign “unexpected” in an email to The Bee’s Education Lab — and helpful in this particular race. She added that she received many donations “while canvassing and after speaking events.”

“Trying to supplant an incumbent like Trustee Slatic who gets free media for jabbing his finger and pounding his chest isn’t cheap,” she said.

Slatic has countered that this is “the way it works” when “the super wealthy in Fresno want people that they are supporting to get elected,” referring to Darius Assemi, Wittrup’s longtime boyfriend and biggest financial backer in the race.

The largest single donation to Wittrup’s campaign so far has come from Granville Homes, the development company owned by Assemi. He and his brothers Farid and Farshid — who have also donated to and endorsed Wittrup’s campaign — are influential developers, growers, philanthropists and digital publishers in Fresno.

Another challenger in the Bullard-area race, retired FUSD campus safety assistant Michael Haynes, told the Ed Lab that, unlike the incumbent and Wittrup, he isn’t taking donations because he doesn’t want to “owe somebody anything.” He said that made his campaign, alongside the other Bullard-area candidates, more difficult.

FUSD teacher Jim Barr told the Ed Lab he’s spent about $1,600 out-of-pocket on his campaign so far and won’t exceed $2,000. He doesn’t see a problem with the expensive campaigns and reputations he’s competing with.

“People have a choice, and that is the beauty of our system,” he said.

Tensions between candidates

On top of how expensive the Bullard race is, some of the area’s flagship school’s controversies over the past six months have spilled over into the race for its representative seat.

That includes Bullard High School’s proposed cellphone ban. School leaders stressed that the policy is meant to reduce distractions in the classroom, while some students see it as a response to a photo taken in Bullard’s weight room and shared on social media, showing a student in what appeared to be a makeshift Ku Klux Klan hood.

Slatic has accused Wittrup of trying to politicize the ban, including at a community meeting Aug. 18, where Wittrup questioned the policy. Both he and Wittrup were present at the meeting, which was closed to media.

The Ed Lab obtained screenshots of a text message Wittrup sent to Bullard Principal Armen Torigian after the August meeting, accusing him of politicizing the meeting himself by having elected officials like Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp present.

“Enjoy your bromance with Terry Slatic,” the text continues. “I hope he doesn’t hurt any students this semester.”

Slatic has criticized Wittrup’s attempt to “go after” Torigian and called the text “odd.”

“I have no ill will towards Susan because I know that she is simply following the instructions of her millionaire boyfriend, Assemi,” Slatic said.

Torigian told the Ed Lab he was somewhat surprised by the message but is not interested in “political games.” Instead, his focus is on ensuring he works well with whichever candidate wins — which, at this point, Torigian said he still is.

“Whoever’s going to win,” he said, “need(s) to be able to fight tooth and nail to make sure that (the community’s) needs are met so that our students can be successful.”

Wittrup declined to comment on the text specifically.

“Principal Torigian and I have had many frank conversations. We are both passionate about Bullard students. I will not comment on my private conversations with him,” she said.

She added that she’s neither for nor against the cell phone policy at this time but believes parents’ concerns with it are being dismissed, calling the Aug. 22 meeting “a one-sided shame.”

Slatic has been a vocal supporter of the ban, which has yet to be implemented or given a start date. Torigian said Thursday that the target is for the policy to start in November once the school fills more administrative positions to help with the rollout.

Barr has told the Ed Lab that while he supports Torigian in his efforts, he personally would prefer a policy of cooperation rather than total prohibition.

Haynes told The Bee’s editorial board on Sept. 13 that he had mixed emotions about the proposed ban. On the one hand, students have reported fights and other issues to him as a campus safety assistant in the past. On the other, he believes phones are major distractions from students’ education and agrees with some level of enforcement.

How to vote in the Bullard race and others

Early voting is already underway for the Nov. 8 election and can be done at the Fresno County Clerk’s Office, located at 2221 Kern St.

Select in-person vote centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Oct. 29.

All voting centers will be open starting Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — or 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. The Fresno County Clerk’s website provides an interactive map of polling places and drop boxes.

Not sure whether you’re registered yet?

You can check your registration online via the Secretary of State’s website by visiting voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. All you need to enter is your name, birthday, your driver’s license/state ID if you have one, and/or the last four digits of your Social Security number if you have one. You can also sign up for updates on the status of your vote-by-mail ballot on this portal.

If you’re not registered to vote yet, you can do so online or via mail. The last day to register for the November election is Oct. 24. More information can be found by visiting the SOS website.

Still have questions? You can contact the clerk’s office at 559-600-8683 or visit its website.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab at its website.