Compton Unified School Board member Skyy Fisher’s lengthy apology may have come too little too late as the Board of Trustees voted to censure him regarding statements he made recently on a local radio show podcast.
Five of the seven board members also called for Fisher to resign, which drew applause from the packed house attending the meeting on Tuesday.
Board member Satra Zurita was absent.
Additionally, Fisher has also submitted a statement saying he will take a 60-day leave of absence from his post with the district, effective May 4.
These actions come in the wake of a podcast on the Pigzradio show where he made derogatory comments about Trayvon Martin, the district’s interim Superintendent Karen Frison and a Compton Unified School District student and her family.
In his statement released by the district on Friday, Fisher wrote: “It is with deep regret that I submit this letter advising my intention to take a 60-day leave of absence from the board, effective immediately.
“Recent events leave little doubt as to the need for me to devote my attention to my health and personal well-being. In taking this action, I nevertheless want to reiterate my unyielding commitment to the district and especially to its students. Over the next two months, it is my sincere intention to prove myself worthy of the community’s trust and respect. In the meantime, I appreciate your patience and forbearance, as I work toward restoration and renewal.”
“First and foremost, my deep regret notwithstanding, I realize that I must take the time to address the underlying issues that have brought me to this point–my abuse of alcohol. As a result, I will be taking a leave of absence from my duties as a member of the Compton Unified Board of Trustees for the next 60 days to allow time for me to address a range of personal- and health-related issues and to seek treatment.
“I want to express my deep regret for recent statements that I made and others that have been attributed to me concerning the late Trayvon Martin, Compton Unified School District Interim Superintendent Karen Frison and a Compton Unified School District student and her family.
“I want to apologize to the individuals in question, their families and their friends. I understand and am deeply sorry for the unwarranted pain and emotional distress that my ill-conceived and inappropriate remarks caused them to experience.
“I apologize for my use of the f-word and the b-word. I have never been homophobic, and I do not condone disrespecting women and calling them out of their name.
“I also want to apologize to my colleagues on the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees, district employees and especially, to the students and community that we are privileged to serve. My comments have created an unnecessary distraction for a district on the brink of transformation, and I know it comes as a disappointment to my supporters and everyone engaged in the important work of educating Compton’s students.
“Again, I want to apologize to everyone affected by my remarks and respectfully request patience, forbearance and privacy while I undertake this journey.”
A veteran of the local political scene, Fisher ran for the Compton College Board of Trustees in 2009 and won election to the school board last November. He has also served as chair of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (52nd Assembly District Delegation), founder/president of the New Wave Democratic Club and as a member of the Gardena Valley Democratic Club.
