Fresno Unified taxpayers appear willing to pay more in property taxes if it means safer, better-equipped, and more up-to-date schools and technology. A survey of 764 district residents likely to vote in the November 2020 election found strong support for $160 million and $240 million bond measure proposals, even though...
Will FUSD's Newest Elementary Be Ready by 2021? Maybe Not.
The first day of classes at a new elementary school in southeast Fresno might have to be pushed back to August 2022 unless Fresno Unified School District soon advertises for bids on the $44 million project, a district administrator warns. Listen to this article: The advertisements were put on hold...
Where's the AC? Fresno Unified Students, Teachers Feel the Heat
Air conditioning continues to be a hot-button issue for Fresno Unified School District, which has grappled with about 800 requests for service since the start of the school year Aug. 19. For those classrooms and other spaces without operating air conditioning, the first 13 days were sweltering. The National Weather...
Fresno Unified Trustees in No Hurry to Decide Measure X Projects
A special meeting Friday on how to spend the remaining $170 million in Fresno Unified's Measure X construction bonds didn't produce action on a single project. Instead, the trustees voiced their thoughts on funding priorities for nearly three hours. Asked what was accomplished, trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas answered, "Very little." Apparent...
Fresno Unified Trustees Will Decide Measure X Projects Friday
One of the thorniest issues for many school boards is deciding which construction projects to fund. For Fresno Unified's seven trustees, the challenge is how to spend $172 million in remaining Measure X bonds. That might sound like a lot of money — and it is — but the district's...
What's Next From FUSD's Measure X? Air Conditioning for All.
One thing appears certain in Fresno Unified's near future: Every school will have air conditioning. The topic dominated the district's special school board meeting Wednesday, which focused exclusively on setting priority projects for Measure X construction funds. Fresno Unified voters passed Measure X — a $225 million bond measure to improve...
Special Ed Teachers Put Finishing Touch on Renovated Rata High
Fresno Unified is getting ready to reopen a high school dedicated to special education students after the holiday break. To prepare for the students' return to Florence Rata High School on Jan. 7, teachers and other staff are spending a few days unpacking boxes and organizing their classrooms. During the...
Trustee Race: Islas Says De La Cerda Hasn't Done Enough for Students
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...
Poor Academic Performance Is Kepler Charter School's Undoing
The front page of a Fresno Unified fact-finding report bluntly lays out its recommendation: “Deny the Kepler Neighborhood School Charter Renewal Petition request. The charter school has not met the standards and criteria set forth in Education Code.” Fresno Unified trustees agreed with that finding Wednesday night, voting 5-2 not...
Central Wants to Hire New Superintendent by July
Central Unified could hire a new superintendent by July. The school board will vote on a timeline to hire the full-time education chief at its Tuesday (April 24) meeting. The trustees are moving ahead with the process despite calls to wait until after the November election. There is community discontent...