The 20-Year Succession

In Fresno County, the position of County Superintendent of Schools is meant to reflect the will of the voters and serve the diverse educational needs of students across 32 school districts. Yet over the past two decades, a consistent pattern of influence has raised serious concerns about whether this role has truly been decided by the public or shaped by a small circle of insiders.

At the center of this pattern are two former superintendents, Larry Powell and Jim Yovino, whose influence has extended well beyond their time in office. Together, they have played a decisive role in determining who leads the county's education system.

The Sequence Is Clear

When Larry Powell retired early, he appointed Jim Yovino as interim superintendent, giving him the advantage of incumbency and a clear path to election. Years later, when Jim Yovino stepped down, he and Powell once again shaped the outcome this time supporting Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, who went on to win and now serves in her final year.

Today, the same pattern continues. As Dr. Cantwell-Copher seeks reelection, Powell and Yovino have shifted their support to Dr. Eimear O'Brien, the former leader of Clovis Unified School District.

Rooted in a Tightly Connected Network

This cycle of influence is not coincidence, it is rooted in a tightly connected network. When Powell first became superintendent, he brought colleagues from Central Unified School District, including Yovino and Cantwell-Copher. All three share professional roots in the same district. Meanwhile, Dr. O'Brien's experience has been largely concentrated in Clovis Unified, with only a 4-month interim role in Central Unified, the same district tied to Powell and Yovino.

For many, this reflects a system that limits opportunity, concentrates leadership within a small circle, and reduces the role of voters in meaningful decision-making. Over time, what should be an open and competitive election process has come to resemble a guided succession.

The Consequences Are Evident in Student Outcomes

The consequences of this pattern are evident in student outcomes. For more than a decade, over 55% of students in Fresno County have failed to meet grade-level standards in reading and writing, while more than 68% have not met grade level standards in math. These numbers have remained persistently high, raising serious concerns about accountability and the effectiveness of long-standing leadership practices.

Concerns extend further when examining recent results. During Dr. O'Brien's tenure in Clovis Unified, reading and writing scores declined by 6%, and math scores declined by 14%. These outcomes raise important questions about whether continuing the same endorsement-driven approach will produce better results for Fresno County students.