Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report, Seeks $10 Billion

2 days ago

Clovis Unified Mourns Passing of Former Superintendent Terry Bradley

2 days ago

Clovis At-Risk Missing Person Found Dead in Fresno Canal

2 days ago

DOJ Asks California Sheriffs for Names of Inmates Who Aren’t Citizens

2 days ago

Israel Agrees to Allow Syrian Troops Limited Access to Sweida

2 days ago

Border Patrol Agents Raid a Home Depot in Northern California

2 days ago

Man Admits to Killing Missing Bass Lake Resident, Madera County Authorities Say

3 days ago

Trump Diagnosed With Vein Condition Causing Leg Swelling, White House Says

3 days ago

US Seeks One-Day Sentence for Police Officer Convicted in Breonna Taylor Case

3 days ago

Manhattan Prosecutor Who Handled Epstein Cases Is Fired

3 days ago
Trustee Race: Islas Says De La Cerda Hasn't Done Enough for Students
By Myles Barker
Published 7 years ago on
September 26, 2018

Share

Christopher De La Cerda cited boosting Career Technical Education and early learning, upgrading campus safety and expanding health services as accomplishments worthy of another four-year term on the Fresno Unified school board Tuesday night.
But Veva Islas, who is challenging De La Cerda for the McLane High area seat, said that much more change and elevation of student learning is needed.
Whether Measure X funds are being used wisely, the best way to fund the reduction of classroom sizes, and what can be done to increase educational attainment were among the questions posed at GV Wire’s Area 4 candidates forum.

“I am running to fight to create a change in our district.” — Veva Islas, candidate for Area 4 trustee
GV Wire Operations Manager Randy Reed moderated the 40-minute event at CMAC’s downtown studio.
Islas said her primary reason for running is because she doesn’t believe children are succeeding and thriving as they should be.
“I am running to fight to create a change in our district,” she said.
The winner in the November election will join a seven-member board responsible for educating more than 74,000 students and managing a budget in excess of $1.3 billion in California’s fourth-largest school district.

The Issues

Reducing Class Sizes

While both candidates were in favor of smaller class sizes, they were on different ends of the spectrum in how to finance such an undertaking.
When asked whether a district-wide parcel tax should be considered to fund class size reduction efforts, Islas said she has concerns.
“I would want an explanation of what a parcel tax would entail,” Islas said.
Islas added that she fears such a tax would be regressive because “the McLane region has a large volume of families in poverty,” she said.
Instead of a parcel tax, De La Cerda said he would be more comfortable funding smaller class sizes by utilizing Measure X funds, which total $225 million. Such funds are dedicated to improving the district’s facilities.
“We need to keep the promises made to voters about utilizing bond money prior to asking them for more money to pass a tax,” said De La Cerda, who has served on the board for six years. “I would like for us to keep our promise.”

Measure X Funds Spent Wisely?

When asked if Measure X funds are being spent reasonably, De La Cerda said they definitely are.
De La Cerda noted the many new buildings and upgrades at McLane High: a new gym, baseball field, and tech building; and upgrades to the school’s media center and library. He said he plans to continue improving school facilities for students and teachers with Measure X funds.
“We are not done,” he said.

“We should never be satisfied, there is always room for growth,” De La Cerda said. “That is what education is all about.” — Christopher De La Cerda, Area 4 incumbent
However, Islas said she is not sure if Measure X dollars are being maximized in the way they were intended.
“I see shortcomings,” Islas said. “I know we have been working on things paid for by general fund money so we need to make sure we are being fiscally responsible and are serving the needs of children and families.”
Islas said she intends to allocate a portion of Measure X funds to improve facilities in a way to deal with modern-day school incidents.
“We need to invest in resources that promote student and teacher safety and design schools to deal with 21st-century threats such as an active shooter on campus,” she said.

Improving Quality of Education

Although she acknowledged that the graduation rate in Area 4 has improved, Islas said there is more work to be done.
“The graduation rate has improved, but that doesn’t mean all children who graduate are college and career ready,” Islas said, stating that only a small percentage of graduating students are adequately prepared.
Islas said that more programs dedicated to students of color and English Language Learners are needed.
“I want to see children from disadvantaged homes get the tools they need to break poverty cycles,” she said. “I want to see them in a career instead of in prison.”
De La Cerda said that while he will never be satisfied with the quality of education students receive in Fresno Unified, the district is making progress.
For instance, he said that 73 percent of English Language Learners are graduating, and noted that some are performing just as well as, if not better, than students whose first language is English.
“We should never be satisfied, there is always room for growth,” De La Cerda said. “That is what education is all about.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Is Finally Adopting Phonics, Fulfilling a Grandmother’s Dream

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Deadly Assault in Kingsburg

DON'T MISS

Peach the Prancing Pup Could Be Fresno’s Next Ninja Warrior

DON'T MISS

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

DON'T MISS

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

DON'T MISS

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

DON'T MISS

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

DON'T MISS

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

DON'T MISS

New CA Budget Papers Over $20 Billion Deficit, Ignores Day of Reckoning

DON'T MISS

Astronomer CEO, HR Chief on Leave After Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Sparks Scandal

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Deadly Assault in Kingsburg

UP NEXT

Peach the Prancing Pup Could Be Fresno’s Next Ninja Warrior

UP NEXT

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

UP NEXT

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

UP NEXT

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

UP NEXT

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

UP NEXT

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

UP NEXT

New CA Budget Papers Over $20 Billion Deficit, Ignores Day of Reckoning

UP NEXT

Astronomer CEO, HR Chief on Leave After Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Sparks Scandal

UP NEXT

Sanger Man Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

23 hours ago

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

23 hours ago

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

23 hours ago

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

23 hours ago

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

1 day ago

New CA Budget Papers Over $20 Billion Deficit, Ignores Day of Reckoning

1 day ago

Astronomer CEO, HR Chief on Leave After Coldplay ‘Kiss Cam’ Sparks Scandal

2 days ago

Sanger Man Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation

2 days ago

Trump Sues Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Report, Seeks $10 Billion

2 days ago

Fresno Man Arrested for Home Invasion, Groping Sleeping Woman

2 days ago

California Is Finally Adopting Phonics, Fulfilling a Grandmother’s Dream

This commentary was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. By Dan Walters CalMatters Opinion Marion Joseph d...

31 minutes ago

Oakland Students Learning to Read
31 minutes ago

California Is Finally Adopting Phonics, Fulfilling a Grandmother’s Dream

14 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Deadly Assault in Kingsburg

Peach, a 2-year-old chihuahua in Fresno, is capturing hearts with her sweet personality, love for play, and unexpected fence-climbing talents that hint at a future in canine stardom. (Mell's Mutts)
23 hours ago

Peach the Prancing Pup Could Be Fresno’s Next Ninja Warrior

Mourners react next to a body during the funeral of Palestinians killed in an early morning Israeli strike, according to medics, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, July 19, 2025. (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa)
23 hours ago

At Least 32 Killed by Israeli Fire While Seeking Aid in Gaza, Hospital Says

A vehicle that plunged into a crowd outside a nightclub, injuring dozens, is seen on Santa Monica Boulevard in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 19, 2025. REUTERS/Jorge Garcia
23 hours ago

At Least 30 Injured When Car Hits Crowd Outside Los Angeles Club, Fire Department Says

23 hours ago

Merced Man Drowns While Kayak Fishing at Courtright Reservoir

Bedouin fighters ride on motorbikes along a street, as Sweida province has been engulfed by nearly a week of violence triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and factions from the Druze, at Sweida governorate, Syria, July 18, 2025. (Reuters/Karam al-Masri)
23 hours ago

Syrian Forces Struggle to Implement Ceasefire in Druze Region

Fresno State Grads Arrive At CHSU
1 day ago

California Medical School Welcomes Record Class of Fresno State Graduates

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend