FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A growing group of parents and community members gathered outside Fresno Unified School District headquarters Wednesday, calling for greater transparency and accountability following the deaths of two students they say raise serious concerns about district safety protocols.
Organized by the Fresno Community Parent Coalition, the emotional rally brought together families, advocates, and community members holding signs that read, “Justice for All of Our Kids” and “Our Children Are Not Safe.” Speakers accused the district of failing to properly address the circumstances surrounding the deaths and of withholding information from the public.
Among those who spoke was Benjamin Gonzalez, whose 11-year-old sister died in 2022 after suffering an asthma attack while attending Homan Elementary School.
“She was just a child, a bright soul full of joy, love, and loved by many,” Gonzalez said.
He recalled the day his family said its final goodbye.
A growing group of parents and community members gathered outside Fresno Unified School District headquarters Wednesday. (Photo:
“On February 23, we sent our final goodbyes, and at 6:15 p.m., we heard her last heartbeat,” he said.
Gonzalez alleges his sister’s death could have been prevented if school staff had followed appropriate emergency procedures.
“She was wheeled to the car instead of being taken by ambulance for urgent help,” he said. “The failure to call 911 and provide medical treatment meant she did not receive the assistance she desperately needed.”
Earlier this year, another Fresno Unified student died after reportedly losing consciousness during a P.E. class at Fresno High School in March, adding to concerns from parents about the district’s emergency response procedures.
When FOX26 requested initial information from the school district on the death, it did not respond.
Kristina Holmes, co-founder of the Fresno Community Parent Coalition, said the deaths highlight what she believes are systemic failures within the district.
“Kids are actually now dying because protocols aren’t being followed, procedures aren’t being followed, and policies aren’t being passed and implemented at the board level,” Holmes said.
Coalition members accused Fresno Unified of avoiding questions surrounding both student deaths and called for independent oversight of district investigations.
“Their failure to help a child leading to a tragic death will be held accountable,” Gonzalez said.
The coalition also claims district leadership has created a culture where concerns are ignored.
“You have administrators that maybe they do want to listen to you and they do understand what your concerns are. And they may even find them to be valid, but then they come up against these cliques and they come up against so-and-so’s cousins with the superintendent or they are, you know, married to a department head,” said Holmes.
The demonstration comes amid increasing criticism of district leadership. Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup recently wrote that the district has “treated crises as image problems instead of leadership problems,” while calling for stronger accountability and oversight.
A coalition member also said the California Board of Registered Nursing has recommended suspending or revoking the licenses of two nurses in connection with actions and subsequent investigations related to the death of Elizabeth Gonzalez. FOX26 has reached out to the Board of Registered Nursing for confirmation. The board acknowledged the request but had not responded by publication.
Fresno Unified School District declined to comment on the allegations, citing ongoing legal matters.
The coalition says it will continue pushing for independent investigations and greater transparency into the district’s handling of student medical emergencies.