FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The Fresno Teachers Association called for the resignation of Fresno Unified Trustee Keshia Thomas after a four-year defamation case.
The case stems from Thomas publicly accusing a former Bullard High School teacher and football coach of calling her son a racial slur.
Thomas permanently gave up the defense, saying her statements were true.
Her son’s sworn declaration and subsequent, conflicting public accounts have raised even more questions about the factual foundation of that accusation.
Fresno Unified has already spent approximately $350,000 in legal fees connected to her defense, and the district could still face millions of dollars in additional costs depending on the outcome of the case.
Those dollars matter because money spent on legal costs and potential judgments is money that cannot support students, classrooms, educators, and other district employees.
Thomas wrote a long letter of apology about the situation.
The letter states:
“At the time, I believed my son. As a mother, when my child told me something had occurred involving race, I took him seriously. As a school board member, I also believed I had a responsibility to take seriously anything that could affect whether students felt safe, respected and comfortable in their school environment. My concern was not only for my son, but for every child entrusted to our schools.
“I acted on what I believed to be true and from what I believed was an honorable responsibility to stand up for children and against injustice. I have now learned that the information I relied upon concerning Mr. Arax was not accurate.
“I have always advocated for truth, justice and equality. Those principles have to mean something even when applying them is difficult, unpopular or inconvenient.
“I believed my son had been wronged and I stood up for him. Now that I have learned the information I relied upon regarding Mr. Arax was not accurate, I am standing up again. Standing for what’s right means standing for everyone. The truth has to matter in both circumstances, and the fact that this involves my own family does not change that.
“Mr. Arax, I sincerely apologize to you and your family. I believed the information I had at the time, but I have since learned that the information I relied upon was not accurate. Had I known then what I know today, I would not have made those statements. I cannot undo what I said, but I can acknowledge what I know today, take responsibility for the words I spoke and offer you the apology you deserve.
“As a mother, I believe parents should listen when their children tell them they have been harmed. As a school board member, I believe we have an obligation to take concerns about the treatment of students seriously. I believed those responsibilities then, and I believe them today. My concern was never simply about my own child. It was about ensuring that every student could feel safe, respected and valued in their school environment.
“My intentions were to protect, not to harm. That is why this apology matters.
“Leadership is not about defending a position at all costs. It is about defending what is right. Sometimes that means having the courage to speak up. Sometimes it means having the humility to apologize. And sometimes it means changing course when the facts require it, even when doing so is personally difficult, unpopular or inconvenient.
“I will continue to stand up for children and families and fight for truth, justice and equality. But those principles require me to apply the same standard to everyone, including myself and those closest to me. Truth cannot depend upon whose side it favors. Justice cannot depend upon who is involved. And accountability has to begin with each of us being willing to hold ourselves accountable.
“I stood up then because, based upon the information I had, I believed it was the right thing to do. I’m standing up now because the information I have today requires something different of me.
“Today, standing up means acknowledging what I now know, taking responsibility for my words and apologizing to Mr. Arax and his family.
“I stood up then. I’m standing up now. Because standing for what’s right means standing for everyone—even when it isn’t popular or convenient.”