Fresno Unified School District’s proposed 2024 bond measure H for $500 million is a misguided and poorly timed initiative that I cannot support. This 40-year bond would impose the highest tax increase among any school district in Fresno County, raising the rate to $238.86 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

Such a substantial tax hike is unjustifiable, especially when many families are struggling with inflation and economic uncertainty.

The process behind this measure H has been deeply flawed.

There has been no oversight committee established to ensure proper management of funds, and the district has failed to engage in meaningful community input. Instead, the board has engaged in tremendous infighting, scrambling to put together a project list at the last minute. This lack of transparency and proper planning is particularly concerning given the district’s recent experience with a $7 million scam that went undisclosed for nearly a year, highlighting their inability to safeguard public funds.

While I acknowledge that our schools have pressing needs, including addressing overcrowding and improving facilities, the district’s approach to this bond measure raises serious concerns. The absence of a clear, well-thought-out plan that prioritizes the most critical needs across all areas of the district is troubling.

Furthermore, the rushed nature of this proposal suggests that the district may not have fully considered alternative funding options or ways to optimize existing resources. Most alarmingly, I cannot even determine what specific projects or initiatives are actually included in this bond measure, making it impossible to assess its true value or impact.

Citizens Committee Plays Big Role in Well-Planned CUSD Bond

In stark contrast, I will be supporting Clovis Unified’s bond measure A. Their approach has been transparent and well-planned, with a 40-member Citizens Committee studying capital facility needs for six months before recommending the bond measure.

In contrast to Fresno Unified, CUSD is maintaining the current tax rate of $155 per $100,000 of assessed value, which is the lowest it has been in the district’s history. They have clearly defined purposes for their $400 million bond, including updates to older schools, completion of Clovis South High School, and improvements to safety and energy efficiency.

Additionally, Clovis Unified holds the best credit ranking among California’s 20 largest public school districts, indicating strong financial stewardship.

Given these marked differences, I cannot in good conscience support Fresno Unified’s bond measure, but I will be voting in favor of Clovis Unified’s proposal.

Fresno Unified must go back to the drawing board, establish proper oversight, engage in genuine community consultation, and develop a more equitable and fiscally responsible plan for addressing our schools’ needs. See you in 2026 — it’s a wrap!

About the Author

Brooke Ashjian is a Fresno businessman and a former board president of Fresno Unified School District. Campaign finance reports show that he has donated $10,000 to the committee supporting the passage of Clovis Unified’s Measure A.