The leader of Fresno Unified, Bob Nelson, has decided to leave the 3rd largest school district in California and pursue a new job in the California State University system. After 7 years of leadership and 23 years in the district, Nelson will be joining Fresno State to be a professor that will teach others the importance of education.

Bob Nelson has been in the education field for almost all his life and worked at Fresno Unified as a teacher, vice principal, principal, human resource administrator, and chief of staff. He also worked at Chawanakee Unified for 3 years and was the superintendent of the schools in the mountain and foothill communities. Nelson returned to FUSD in September 2017, and became the superintendent of the Fresno community. Nelson will leave Fresno Unified on July 31, 2024, and will join Fresno State as a new professor. He will teach the valley students how to lead a classroom, school, and even district for the students who have a passion for education.

A new superintendent is now needed, and FUSD is working hard to find one. The board of trustees has already started to discuss the matter and had a meeting on January 24 to start the search. If no leader is found by the 2024-25 school year, Deputy Superintendent Misty Her will become the replacement for FUSD.