During the GV Wire Fresno City Council District 6 debate, hosted with The Kenneth L. Maddy Institute and CMAC, candidates Nick Richardson and Roger Bonakdar outlined their stances on two significant bond measures: Fresno Unified’s Measure H and Clovis Unified’s Measure A.

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Both Richardson and Bonakdar expressed support for Measure A while opposing Measure H. Measure A focuses on funding improvements within the Clovis Unified School District, whereas Measure H addresses needs in the Fresno Unified School District.

District 6, which encompasses about 48,800 registered voters, includes roughly 40,500 voters within the Clovis Unified School District boundaries. This overlap has made the two measures particularly relevant to the district’s residents.

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Richardson highlighted Clovis Unified’s effective use of funds, pointing to academic and extracurricular achievements that he believes demonstrate responsible management. In contrast, he criticized Fresno Unified’s financial practices, noting issues such as having a large staff that is being poorly managed. He argued that Clovis Unified’s higher performance further justifies supporting Measure A and rejecting Measure H.

Bonakdar, meanwhile, emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in any new spending, especially with household budgets already stretched thin. He raised concerns about the potential property tax increases tied to Measure H, questioning its impact on homeowners amid rising living costs.

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Bonakdar stressed that for Measure H to be feasible, there must be clear connections between expenditures and student outcomes. He praised Clovis Unified’s growth and saw Measure A as a logical investment in the district’s future.