Community Input Gathered to Prioritize Future Facility Projects

Hundreds of Fresno Unified parents and community members participated in outreach meetings throughout the district in late August and September and have taken an online survey to provide feedback on prioritizing future facility projects.

The Fresno Unified Board of Education in August approved placing a $225 million facility bond measure, known as Measure X, on the Nov. 8 ballot. The bond measure would be used to fund a portion of the district's $1 billion in facility needs, as outlined in the Facilities Master Plan, while maintaining the current authorized tax rate and building upon previous investments.

In advance of November, district staff conducted seven community meetings in every high school region and created an online survey, gathering community input to help prioritize future facility project needs.

For example, Sunnyside region meeting participants shared their interest in building new classrooms to replace portables and providing more technology for students. At the Fresno High regional meeting, participants shared their interest in safety measures such as an increase in security cameras and additional fencing, new classrooms to replace portables and upgrading performing arts facilities.

The community feedback gathered will assist the Board of Education in outlining top investment priorities for future facility projects.

In an effort to address needs within the Facilities Master Plan, Measure X would fund new and upgraded classrooms and technology; career technical education facilities; safety and security improvements; facilities for arts, activities, and athletics; repairs and upgrades to infrastructure including heating, air conditioning, electrical, gas, water, and irrigation; and a new southeast school to accommodate growing enrollment.

Fresno Unified uses its Facilities Master Plan as one tool for facilities planning. The plan, developed with extensive community input and approved by the Board of Education in April 2009, provides guidance and vision for improving district facilities while anticipating future needs. The plan identified nearly $1 billion in school facility needs districtwide.

At the time the master plan was approved, it was anticipated that several bond measures would be needed over a period of many years to fund the needed improvements. Measure Q in 2010 provided funding for the first approximately one-third of that need.

Incorporated in the Facilities Master Plan are long-range high school master plans, which were approved in March 2011 after extensive community feedback. Like the Facilities Master Plan, the long-range high school master plans are monitored and amended as necessary and are used to provide guidance for future facility investments.

Measure X
Classroom Education
Neighborhood School Repair
Student Safety Measure

To attract/retain quality teachers and repair/upgrade schools by:

• Improving classrooms, career-technical facilities, science labs, technology
• Repairing deteriorating restrooms, plumbing, air conditioning, wiring
• Removing asbestos/lead hazards
• Upgrading security cameras, lighting, fencing, fire safety
• Repairing, building, acquiring facilities/equipment
• Securing state funds

Shall Fresno Unified School District issue $225 million in bonds, at legal rates, requiring audits, citizens' oversight, no money for administrators' salaries, all funds spent locally?

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Bullard High
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Build new facilities for CTE programs in high-demand occupations and growth areas/improve career centers
• Improve student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Improve security and fire alert systems
• Upgrade/renovate athletic fields
• Repair/upgrade heating and air conditioning

Edison High
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Build new facilities for CTE programs in high-demand occupations and growth areas
• Improve student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Build/remodel/upgrade gyms and locker rooms
• Install solar energy devices

Fresno High
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Build new facilities for CTE programs in high-demand occupations and growth areas
• Increase/improve fencing, gates and accessibility
• Build/upgrade/remodel performing arts facilities
• Repair/upgrade heating and air conditioning

Hoover
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Remodel/reconfigure classrooms in existing facilities for CTE programs
• Improve student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Build/upgrade/remodel performing arts facilities
• Repair/upgrade heating and air conditioning

McLane
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Repair/upgrade heating and air conditioning
• Build new facilities for CTE programs in high-demand occupations and growth areas
• Improve student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Build/upgrade/remodel performing arts facilities

Roosevelt High
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Build new facilities for CTE programs in high-demand occupations and growth areas
• Improve student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Upgrade/renovate athletic fields
• Repair/upgrade heating and air conditioning

Sunnyside
Top Suggestions from Regional Community Meetings

• Build new classrooms to replace portables
• Build new facilities for CTE programs in high-demand occupations and growth areas
• Improve student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Build/upgrade/remodel performing arts facilities
• Repair/upgrade heating and air conditioning