New developments on work history of Fresno County superintendent candidate Dr. Johnny Alvarado

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Emails obtained by Action News confirm that Fresno County superintendent candidate Dr. Johnny Alvarado was placed on paid administrative leave from Parlier Unified School District earlier this year, contradicting statements he made during a recent interview.

Multiple copies of the same email, sent to Action News by viewers, state that effective Friday, Feb. 6, "Dr. Johnny Alvarado was placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation."

The messages, sent by the Parlier Unified superintendent, also asked staff to keep the matter confidential.

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The emails substantiate rumors that had circulated for weeks and conflict with Alvarado's responses during an interview just days earlier.

Action News (AN): "Have you ever been placed on administrative leave or had a separation agreement with a former employer?"

Dr. Alvarado (JA): "So, what I'm going to say is that I have never, never had a bad evaluation. I have never been written up. I have never been disciplined."

Alvarado also denied ever being placed on administrative leave while discussing his departure from Parlier Unified, where he served as assistant superintendent.

JA: "To honor both entities, (the) education entity and the campaign itself, I made the decision to retire for that reason."

AN: "Was there a leave before that, though?"

JA: "There was not."

AN: "And you say that publicly...?"

JA: "I made the decision to retire. I have the paperwork to show that, if needed, I have no problem showing that."

Action News previously confirmed that Alvarado entered into a separation agreement with Selma Unified School District in 2022.

The newly obtained emails now confirm that his departure from Parlier Unified followed a period of paid administrative leave.

In a phone call to Action News on Thursday, Alvarado addressed the situation, saying he does not view the leave as a blemish on his ability to serve.

He said the issue stemmed from minor crossovers related to campaigning during business hours. While he said he did not initially believe his actions were wrong, he now acknowledges that he was in the wrong and has learned from the experience.

The developments come just days before the election and have prompted responses from the other candidates in the race.

Incumbent Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher wrote, in part, "I believe voters deserve transparency and accountability, and I trust Fresno County voters will carefully evaluate all candidates and their records."

Former Clovis Unified superintendent and candidate Dr. Eimear O'Brien also issued a statement, writing in part, "Fresno County will never reach its full potential if district superintendents cannot rely on the honesty and integrity of the person meant to lead and support them."

Alvarado says he will sit down with Action News for an exclusive interview on Friday as voters prepare to head to the polls.

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