FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
Former Fresno Unified School Board President Dr. Tony Vang announced Monday afternoon that he is retiring as a member of the board.
Vang released the following statement:
Today, I officially announce my decision to retire as a member of the Fresno Unified School District Board of Education, effective September 17, 2012.
This decision was not an easy one. I have dedicated 10 tireless and productive years in service to our community as a Board member. While there is still a lot of hard work to do, our district has made steady gains each year for the past 10 years as measured by the state Academic Performance Index. I am confident that district staff, our teachers, and our students and their families will continue to meet the challenges ahead.
As for me, my growing responsibilities as a faculty member at California State University Fresno and the increasing needs of my family require ever more of my time. Resigning from my position at this time works best for my family and me and provides the District ample time to fill the vacancy.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my colleagues on the Board, and serving the parents, students and faculty of Trustee Area 4. There are vast challenges ahead, but I am confident that Fresno Unified and its Board will meet those challenges head-on to ensure that every student has the opportunity to become academically successful and grow to be leaders in their schools and communities.
I am proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure and will cherish all the friendships that have resulted from our hard work together. I look forward to what lies ahead and wish everyone within Fresno Unified the best.
In June, Vang stepped down from his position as president of the FUSD Board of Education but decided to remain on the board as a member.
Many called for Dr. Vang to resign as president after documents released by the Fresno County Elections Office confirmed he registered to vote and did vote from his Northeast Fresno home. The home is located in the Clovis Unified School District.
California's education code and government code mandate trustees live within the district they serve. And Fresno Unified policy requires that trustees reside within the portion of the district they represent.
Dr. Vang's Sacramento attorney told KMPH News by phone in June, there was clearly some confusion in voting, but it should not be confused with any malicious intent. Vang's attorney added that Vang voted in error from this address, but claimed he never lived there.
Back in late June, in a five to one vote, Valerie Davis was selected as the board's new president.
Fresno Unified School District issued this statement regarding Dr. Tony Vang's resignation:
Area 4 Trustee Dr. Tony Vang filed his resignation from the Fresno Unified School District Board of Trustees this morning with the County Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Vang cited personal and professional responsibilities as necessitating his resignation. In light of Dr. Vang's resignation, Fresno Unified will work swiftly and deliberately to fill the open seat in the weeks ahead.
The California Education Code sections 5090 through 5095 and Fresno Unified Board Bylaw 9223 provide clear procedures to address an open board seat.
These procedures establish that:
-- The resignation of a Board member causes a vacancy when it is filed with the County Superintendent of Schools (a resignation may have a deferred effective date of no more than 60 days).
-- The Board has the option of making a provisional appointment to fill the vacancy if: 1) the vacancy occurs 4 or more months before the end of the resigning Board member's term; and 2) the vacancy does not occur between 6 months and 130 days before a regularly scheduled Board election. Alternatively, the Board may order an election to fill the vacancy. If the Board does neither within 60 days of the vacancy (or the filing of a resignation with deferred effective date), the County Superintendent of Schools must order an election.
-- If the Board elects to fill the vacancy with a provisional appointee, the Board shall advertise in local media to solicit for candidates.
-- An ad hoc Board committee comprised solely of Board members constituting less than a quorum shall review submitted applications to ensure eligibility for Board membership and shall announce the names of the eligible candidates.
-- The Board shall interview the eligible candidates at a public meeting, allow oral or written public input, then choose the provisional appointee by majority vote.
-- If the Board makes a provisional appointment to fill a vacancy caused by a member's resignation, it must do so within 60 days of the filing of the resignation (or resignation with deferred effective date) with the County Superintendent of Schools.
-- If the Board makes a provisional appointment, it must post and publish a notice within 10 days of the making of the appointment containing specific information about the vacancy, the provisional appointment, and the voters' opportunity to petition for a special election within 30 days of the appointment.
-- A provisional appointee holds office until the next regularly scheduled Board election.
Fresno Unified, the 4th largest school district in the state of California, works to educate more than 73,000 children in the city of Fresno each year.
Stay with KMPH News and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.
