The debate over Measure H, a Fresno Unified School District bond, is intensifying as concerns about regional funding equity and long-term financial impacts take center stage. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)
- Trustee Valerie Davis defends Measure H, highlighting the need for school investments south of Shaw Avenue.
- Davis criticizes a member of the Fresno City Council, whom she didn't name, for butting into the school board's business.
- Fresno City Council Vice President Mike Karbassi opposes Measure H, questioning its distribution of funds to FUSD's seven regions.
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With the Nov. 5 election underway, the debate over Measure H is intensifying. Measure H, a $500 million, 40-year construction bond aimed at funding improvements within Fresno Unified School District, has drawn attention from both the school board and Fresno City Council.
“I am absolutely staying in my lane because I talk a lot about economic prosperity and wanting to move Fresno forward and there’s no way we can do that if Fresno Unified keeps failing kids by letting them graduate without being able to read at grade level.” — Fresno City Council Vice President Mike Karbassi
The Fresno Unified Board of Trustees voted 6-1 on Wednesday, Oct. 9, to approve a project list that the bond would fund — two days after voting began for the Nov. 5 ballot.
During the meeting, Trustee Valerie Davis made pointed remarks directed at the Fresno City Council, specifically addressing concerns about regional equity in funding.
“It is unfortunate that our other counterparts (on the) city council think that one region should vote against it because there’s not adequate enough resources allocated to it. But, I would beg to differ,” Davis said. She added, “If he got in a car and drove south of Shaw, he would probably see another community with intentional investments and why this money is necessary.”
Davis did not respond to GV Wire’s request for an interview.
“It is unfortunate that our other counterparts (on the) city council think that one region should vote against it because there’s not adequate enough resources allocated to it.” — Valerie Davis, trustee, Sunnyside region
Fresno City Council Vice President Mike Karbassi has emerged as a vocal critic of Measure H, questioning the long-term financial implications for regions like Sunnyside.
“No one likes being called out,” Karbassi said. “I can understand board members getting very defensive. But when it comes to the Sunnyside region: this is a 40-year tax, and those buildings may be new now, but how are they going to be maintained, and what funds are going to maintain them over 40 years?”
Concerns have centered on the distribution of Measure H funds.
The Sunnyside area is projected to receive only 2.4% of the bond’s total allocation while contributing an estimated 12.89% of the annual tax revenue. Karbassi’s northwest council district includes the Bullard region, which is set to receive 6.1% of Measure H funding while providing 29.31% of taxes to repay the bond.
Related Story: Fresno Trustees Vote 6-1 to OK Project List for $500M Measure H Bond
Karbassi said, “When it comes to Fresno Unified, we will praise them when they have success. But, we will not be shy about holding them accountable when they have failures because what’s on the line is our kids and our economic prosperity.”
Fresno City Council’s Role in the Debate
The overlap between the Fresno City Council’s jurisdiction and the Fresno Unified School District has added complexity to the debate. Some areas, including Fresno City Council District 6, extend into other school districts, but education remains a shared concern for both entities.
Karbassi expressed frustration with what he sees as a lack of engagement from other city council members. District 3 Councilmember Miguel Arias is also opposing Measure H.
“I am more disappointed that more of my colleagues haven’t come out and spoken about this,” Karbassi said. “You can’t talk about the future of Fresno’s economy without admitting that it is closely attached to the quality of our education at Fresno Unified.”
He further emphasized, “When our kids graduate without being able to read, employers notice that, and it is very hard to attract local employers to expand and outside money to come in when they think we do not have a trained workforce.”
Related Story: I’m Opposing $500 Million Measure H, and You Should, Too: Fresno Unified ...
The two run-off candidates for the Fresno City Council District 6 seat, Nick Richardson and Roger Bonakdar, aired their opposition to Measure H during the GV Wire debate.
