Note: This is a two-part story. Scroll down to listen to parts one and two.
FRESNO (KMJ) – Another campus controversy involving Fresno Unified School Board member Terry Slatic.
Dozens of parents of Bullard High School cheerleaders gathered in the school library, along with Superintendent Bob Nelson, to address safety concerns surrounding Trustee Terry Slatic.
Parents say Slatic Showed up to cheer practice on campus on Wednesday afternoon and held an impromptu meeting with the girls and their coaches, and threatened them, saying they’d be removed from the squad if they were to speak publicly about the two girls removed from cheer for their part in the inflammatory “blackface” video that surfaced last month.
This is audio recorded secretly by one of the girls obtained by KMJ News. Parents say it’s Slatic:
“This silliness, the pointing fingers, the talking behind people’s backs, and this goes for all of you all and your parents. It stops now,” the voice says.
The girls in question remain on the squad, parents say they are a distraction and the squad would prefer to move on without them. Slatic went to the practice to address the team and tell them no.
“It’s ridiculous that he came in and did that,” Frank Guizar said.
At Thursday’s meeting, angry parents like Frank Guizar told Nelson and Slatic that Slatic “barged in” to the practice, that he got “in the face” of girls and some were left sobbing.
Guizar says his daughter was upset.
“She didn’t know this man or who he was, ” Guizar said.
One parent even filed a police report against the trustee.
The parents want Slatic permanently banned from campus, and even discussed getting a restraining order against him.
“It’s inappropriate and he’s out of line,” Guizar said.
Slatic for his part says he’s responsible for district oversight, and he can go where he wants, but in the end, he pledged to stay away from the cheer room at Bullard.
The district has yet to make a comment, and Slatic said he will give a comment at a later time.
Clint Olivier, KMJ News.
