Darius Assemi, CEO of Granville Homes, addressed the Rotary Club of Fresno on Monday, voicing his strong opposition to Fresno Unified School District’s Measure H bond, a proposed $500 million tax initiative.

Assemi highlighted several critical concerns regarding the measure, emphasizing that the additional property tax would position Fresno Unified as the highest-taxed K-12 school district in the county.

He noted that the tax burden would extend for an unprecedented 40 years, raising concerns about the long-term financial implications for residents.

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One significant point Assemi made was the lack of a finalized project list for Measure H, despite ballots already being mailed to voters.

He criticized the absence of a public committee to help develop the project list, arguing that it undermines transparency and community involvement.

He additionally pointed out that the preliminary project list appears to show an uneven distribution of funds, raising questions about the equitable use of taxpayer money.

Assemi noted specifically that Bullard region residents would receive only $1 back out of every $5 contributed to the bond.

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Assemi also referenced Fresno Unified’s disappointing academic performance over the past several years, along with the district’s current lack of a permanent superintendent, as factors contributing to his opposition.

He argued that these issues cast doubt on the district’s ability to effectively manage such a significant financial investment.

Assemi advocates for responsible financial planning that prioritizes community needs, stating that he could support a future bond once the district improves student academic achievement.

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In contrast, Assemi endorsed Clovis Unified School District’s Measure A and Central Unified School District’s Measure X, both of which do not propose an increase in tax rates.

He particularly praised Clovis Unified for its transparency, highlighting its practice of publishing detailed project lists for each school campus, which he believes fosters trust and accountability among taxpayers.

(Disclosure: Darius Assemi is the publisher of GV Wire)