One of the most controversial and influential leaders of the Fresno Unified School District Board of Trustees has announced he won’t be running for reelection.
Fresno Unified Board trustee Brooke Ashjian made the announcement outside of the district’s headquarters.
“So today, I announce that I won't be running for school board in the coming election,” Ashjian said. “I feel that I have ran the course, I finished the task, and I set the place for success.”
Ashjian was one of former superintendent Michael Hanson’s fiercest critics, and helped orchestrate his departure from FUSD. Over the last year, Ashjian has also dealt with criticism from comments he made about the LGBT community and mandatory sexual education in schools. He says that his decision has not been influenced by pressure about his comments.
“I won the Bullard district by almost 90 percent,” said Ashjian. “If I wanted to run again, I’d run again and I'd win. It’s got nothing to do with any of that.”
Ashjian represents the Bullard High School region of the district. He said he looks forward to endorsing a candidate, but did not reveal who that might be.