Fresno Mayor’s Messages to Trustees Stir Debate Over $200M Project
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is facing scrutiny after text messages revealed he warned Fresno Unified school board trustees their relationship with the city could be damaged if they opposed his Southeast Development Area (SEDA) plan.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer allegedly sent text messages that pressured Fresno Unified school board trustees not to oppose his multimillion dollar development project.
Shortly before the board voted in February to shelve a resolution opposing the 9,000-acre Southeast Development Area (SEDA) plan, Dyer sent messages that appeared to warn trustees against taking a stance, according to documents obtained by Fresnoland.
In a February 24 message to at least four trustees, Dyer wrote: “It is my hope that FUSD does not take a position and oppose SEDA development. That would open the door for the mayor to start engaging on educational issues which I have avoided in the past when media ask for my opinion.”
Trustee Andy Levine pushed back, saying, “I do see this as my responsibility in my elected board capacity to voice concerns where I do not think it is in the best interest of our students and the district.”
“While I know there are some at the district that have strong feelings on this, I’m really hopeful the district and city can continue working together to address the concerns,” Levine added.
“I’m going to see if we can get on the record tomorrow night that we will continue meeting with the hopes that we can change our position in the near future. I would be very happy to join in any of those meetings and do my part in helping find that consensus.”
Dyer responded: “Let me be clear. If the FUSD takes a formal position against SEDA the relationship between the city and FUSD will be damaged. No way around it.”
The mayor later told Fresnoland the messages were not intended as a threat.
Similar messages were sent to trustees Claudia Cazares, Genoveva Islas and Valerie Davis.
Islas said she “respectfully disagrees,” adding, “As written SEDA would be detrimental to our district and as such it does require us to oppose.”
“Sad to see for sure,” Dyer replied.
After the messages circulated online, trustees Cazares, Susan Wittrup, Keshia Thomas, and Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas voted to table the resolution indefinitely in a 4-3 vote, according to the New York Post.
The move effectively blocked Fresno Superintendent Misty Her from weighing in on the project.
‘Messages Not Intended To Be A Threat’
Dyer later told Fresnoland the messages were not intended as a threat.
“I worded it as a friendly reminder,” he said. “When government entities start commenting on each other’s operations, it creates division — and that’s the last thing we need.”
Islas criticized the trustees who supported tabling the measure, suggesting political motivations.
“Unfortunately, they’re selling out our kids and our district for that,” she said.
What is SEDA?
SEDA is Dyer’s proposal to expand housing through “complete, walkable communities” designed to be fiscally sustainable and environmentally friendly.
However, the district’s finance team has warned that the plan could cost up to $200 million annually, potentially leading to school closures and layoffs.
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