Dr. Tony Vang, president of the Fresno Unified School District's Board of Education, announced Friday he is stepping down from his position but will remain on the Board as a member.More >> Embattled Fresno Unified School Board President Dr. Tony Vang says he's considering stepping down and walking away from the Central Valley's largest school board. Dr. Vang says, "It's politics. I neverMore >> Embattled Fresno Unified School Board President Dr. Tony Vang says he's considering stepping down and walking away from the Central Valley's largest school board.More >>
FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Former Fresno Unified School Board President Dr. Tony Vang was a "no show" at Wednesday night's school board meeting. Vang stepped down as school board president last week. Allegations that he doesn't live in the McLane High School District has prompted criticism from board members and the public.
Tony Vang's water bottle was full but his seat was empty. Wednesday night he missed the chance to vote on his replacement. By a five to one vote Valerie Davis will now be running the school board meetings as President.
After the vote Anthony Benjamin told the board, "something is dirty here. I think people on this board might know issues about Mr. Vang, and I don't think anyone of you have a right to be voting on anything at this time. I don't think a single one of you should be at this time because there is a cover up here."
School Board member Michelle Asadoorian publicly scolded her fellow board members for staying silent on the Vang residency issue. "As an individual board member I'm getting my news from local media, which I don't think anybody thinks that's the way board members should be getting their news."
According to the Fresno County Elections Office, Tony Vang's registered address from 2007 to 2010 was a house he owns on East Goshen Avenue in Northeast Fresno. The home is in Clovis Unified's District not Fresno Unified.
Asadoorian wants the board to call for a special investigation. "I would think that Dr. Vang or anyone would want to prove his innocence."
Board member Larry Moore was the only other member to side with Asadoorian. It's a safe bet the residency issue won't be going away. But Tony Vang now has time on his side. Fresno Unified's School Board won't be meeting until early August.
The California Secretary of State's Election Fraud Investigation Unit is checking complaints against Vang to decide whether he violated the elections code.
