Veva’s Priorities
Veva Islas delivers opportunities. She has built a proven track record as a Fresno Unified trustee. Time and again, she has delivered on her core priorities to give students the best possible education.
Championing Parent Engagement and Language Justice
Parent engagement has been a top priority under her leadership. Additionally, she has worked to ensure families play an active role in shaping their children’s education. The district has also strengthened its commitment to language justice. As a result, non-English-speaking families now receive information in their primary language. Interpretation and translation accommodations further ensure every family can fully participate.
Elevating Parent and Stakeholder Voices
Veva has embedded stakeholder voices into district decision-making. Through the district’s goals and guardrails framework, no major decisions move forward without meaningful parent and stakeholder engagement. She also advocated for establishing a Parent Oversight Committee. In turn, this gives parents a direct voice in decisions on the district budget, labor negotiations, and future planning.
Expanding Dual Enrollment Opportunities
Beyond parent engagement, Islas has worked to ensure students have open doors to opportunity throughout their education. For instance, she has voted to dedicate more funding to Dual Enrollment programs. Fresno City College remains the district’s primary dual enrollment partner. Meanwhile, Fresno Unified has expanded partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to spark student interest in higher education.
Growing Career Technical Education Programs
Expanding opportunity also means growing Career Technical Education (CTE) programs across the district. In Area 4, McLane High School offers standout programs, including the Medical Education and Research Academy (MERA). Art Venture is another standout offering. Meanwhile, at Patino School of Entrepreneurship, students build small businesses and learn skills in web design and online marketing. Duncan Polytechnical High School, in turn, serves as the district’s premier CTE campus. Its programs span automotive technology, welding, manufacturing, nursing, physical therapy, and pharmacy. Fresno Unified also maintains a strong partnership with The Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART). CART offers programs ranging from legal studies to environmental justice. Ultimately, Veva’s goal is to keep expanding CTE opportunities so every student can discover their passion.
Growing Bilingual Opportunities and Biliteracy
Just as importantly, Veva wants students to maximize their unique strengths, including bilingualism. The number of schools offering Dual Immersion programs has grown significantly during her time in office. These include English/Spanish and English/Hmong programs. In 2026, McLane High School graduated more students with Seals of Biliteracy than ever before.
