Fresno Unified Considering New Bond Measure

Fresno Unified's Board of Education will consider whether it should place a $225 million bond measure on the November ballot.

A bond measure would build upon the positive impacts of Measure Q -- a $280 million measure passed in 2010 -- and help the district to continue to fund:

- Classroom enhancements and technology

- Career-technical education facilities

- Safety/security improvements

- Repairs/upgrades to heating and air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and water systems

- Specialty facilities on high school campuses for academics, arts and athletics

- A new school in southeast Fresno for increased enrollment

The last $30 million in Measure Q bonds will be issued soon, leaving no more local funding for new facilities or facility improvements districtwide. In 2009, a facilities master plan approved by the Board of Education identified close to $1 billion in need districtwide. Voter approval of a new bond measure would simply extend Measure Q, which would not increase the current tax rate.

"We are proud of all the great projects Measure Q has funded districtwide but our needs far outweigh what we can currently fund," said Superintendent Michael Hanson. "With a new bond measure, we will continue to provide our community with quality projects that serve our students, teachers and community."

Community Interest Is High

In a June 2016 Board of Education workshop, trustees were presented with results of a community survey that indicated 74% of 600 voters polled supported investing $225 million in schools without raising the tax rate.

"This overwhelming support is a reflection of the great work our staff has done in implementing Measure Q," Hanson said. "The poll also reaffirms that our community further supports investing in our local schools."

Info Box:

Potential Elementary/Middle School Projects

- New classrooms to replace portables

- Classroom interior upgrades

- Core facility modernization/addition

- Safety/security enhancements

- Multi-purpose air conditioning at Centennial, Del Mar, Ericson, Fremont, Gibson, Holland, Jackson, Manchester GATE, Phoenix Academy, Powers-Ginsburg, Pyle, Roeding, Starr, Thomas, Wishon, Baird, Edison Computech, Cooper, Fort Miller, Scandinavian, Tenaya, Tioga, Wawona, Yosemite, Roosevelt