Measure X Would Fund School Improvement Projects
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NOVEMBER 2016 n preparation for the community’s Nov. 8 vote on the $225 million Measure X, the Idistrict sought community input at high RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: school regional meetings on new facilities and has approved a list of special projects that would be funded by Measure X if it passes. MEASURE X WOULD FUND Plans include: $90 million for classrooms, technology and support facilities -- includes new SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT school for southeast $25 million for career technical education facilities $50 million for arts, activities and athletics PROJECTS facilities $25 million for safety and security improvements $35 million for infrastructure repairs/ upgrades, such as air conditioning The projects reflect community input gathered at seven regional outreach meetings through- out the district in late August and September and from responses to an online survey asking for feedback on prioritizing future facility projects. The projects list also reflects input from the Fresno Unified Board of Education. Fresno High The board also updated high school master School's Library plans Sept. 28 to reflect community and board Media Center member input. The updated high school master opened in August plans identify potential Measure X projects 2013, part of and future investments when resources are $251 million available. in projects completed They also reflect investments from Measure with Measure Q, the $280 million bond measure passed by Q bond funds. a 76% vote of the community in 2010, and The community will vote Nov. 8 on Measure X, put See MEASURE X on the ballot by the Continued on pages 2 and 3 Fresno Unified Board of Education to continue work outlined in the Facilities Master Plan. Fresno Unified Raises District Saves Millions Superintendent’s Message (Page 6) (Page 11) (Page 15) Money for Scholarships Through Bond Refinancing in Spanish/Hmong NOVEMBER 2016 MEASURE X planning. The plan, developed with March 2011 after extensive commu- Repairs and upgrades to the Continued from page 1 extensive community input and nity feedback. Like the Facilities district’s infrastructure, such as approved by the Board of Education Master Plan, the long-range high heating and air conditioning retain priority projects while recogniz- in April 2009, provides guidance and school master plans are monitored and Project implementation will be based ing projected funding availability. vision for improving district facilities amended as necessary and are used on needs and priorities and funding while anticipating future needs. to provide guidance for future facility Additional input will be sought from availability. Estimated bond amounts investments. high school communities prior to At the time the master plan was are preliminary projections, with actual project implementation. approved, it was anticipated that The community’s feedback showed bond expenditures depending on the several bond measures would be that the district should focus on: scope of projects and specifications, The bond measure would be used to needed over a period of many years fluctuation in the cost of construction fund a portion of the district’s $1 billion New and updated classrooms and to fund the needed improvements. and state funding. in facility needs, as outlined in the technology Measure Q in 2010 provided funding Facilities Master Plan, while maintain- New facilities for career technical Other projects not specifically listed for the first approximately one-third of ing the current authorized tax rate and education programs in high- may be recommended for bond funding that need. building upon previous investments. demand jobs and growth industries if they are eligible projects per the Incorporated in the Facilities Master Safety and security improvements ballot and meet district needs. Fresno Unified uses its Facilities Plan are long-range high school Facilities for arts, activities and Master Plan as one tool for facilities master plans, which were approved in athletics $50 Million: Arts, Activities and Athletics Facilities Theaters Gyms and locker rooms Music rooms Visual arts classrooms Athletic fields Bullard High School's renovated theater opened in 2013. $35 Million: Infrastructure Repairs/Upgrades Multi-purpose room air conditioning Heating, electrical, gas, irrigation, water, drainage systems Infrastructure for instructional technology Energy/resource conservation projects Upgrades were made to Thomas Elementary School's cafeteria in 2011. Page 2 PREPARING CAREER READY GRADUATES www.FresnoUnified.org NOVEMBER 2016 $90 Million: Classrooms, Technology, Support Facilities Build new classrooms to replace portables Renovate/expand cafeterias, librar- ies and administration facilities Renovate/upgrade classrooms Convert/upgrade science and technology labs New southeast school Winchell Elementary School’s new classroom wing opened in 2014. $25 Million: Career Technical Education Facilities (CTE) Build new/renovate classrooms and labs at Duncan Polytechnical High School Convert/renovate CTE classrooms districtwide State-of-the-art welding machines were installed in September for students to learn on at Duncan Polytechncial High School. $25 Million: Safety and Security Drop-off/pick-up and bus zones Fencing, gates, facility modifications Lighting and security cameras Public address and alarm systems Measure X funds would improve safety at bus zones. www.FresnoUnified.org PREPARING CAREER READY GRADUATES Page 3 NOVEMBER 2016 PARENTS Deadline December 1 for Specialty and Magnet Schools for 2017-18 Fresno Unified School District offers a Especializadas las escuelas especializadas del distrito wide variety of school choice options, tienen requisitos de admisión, con El Distrito Escolar Unificado de LOTTERY including popular magnet schools and estudiantes seleccionados basado en el Fresno ofrece una amplia variedad de APPLICATIONS specialized programs. For the 2017-18 criterio académico. opciones de elección escolar, incluy- Elementary Schools school year, applications received endo las escuelas populares magnet before Dec. 1 will have priority in the Hnub Kaw Kaum Ob Hlis tim Bullard TALENT K-8 (visual y programas especializados. Para el selection process. 1 rau Cov Tsev Kawm Ntawv and performing arts) ciclo escolar 2017-18, las solicitudes Tshwj Xeeb Hamilton TK-8 (global studies) Families may apply for the transfer recibidas antes del 1ro de diciembre Fresno Hauv Paus Tsev Kawm Ntawv Yokomi TK-6 (science and to any district school by completing tendrán prioridad en el proceso de qhib muaj ib txoj kev dav dav ntawm technology) an application. Learn more and print selección. kev xaiv tsev kawm ntawv, xam nrog an application at www.fresnounified. Middle Schools Las familias pueden solicitar la trans- rau tej tsev kawm ntawv tshaj lij nto org, call (559) 248-7538, or drop in at ferencia para cualquier escuela del npe thiab tej kev kawm tshwj xeeb. Baird 5-8 (global interdisciplin- the Transfers Office, 4120 N. First St., distrito completando la solicitud. Rau lub xyoo kawm ntawv 2017-18, ary program) for more information. Aprenda más e imprima la solicitud cov ntawv thov yuav tsum tau txais Ahwahnee 7-8 (environmental The district offers more than 20 school en www.fresnounified.org, para más ua ntej lub Kaum Ob Hlis tim 1 thiaj science) choice options and career technical información llame al (559) 248-7538, muaj kev saib xyuas ua ntej rau kev High Schools education (CTE) pathways. o visite la Oficina de Transferencias nrho hmoov. en; 4120 N. First St. Design Science (early college) For magnet and specialty schools, Tej yim tsev neeg kuj thov tau rau Duncan Medical Academy students are selected by random lottery El distrito ofrece más de 20 opciones kev tshais mus rau hauv paus tsev Duncan Polytechnical Academy when space is available at the request- de elección escolar y cursos de carrera kawm ntawv ib lub tsev kawm ntawv Fresno High International ed grade level. Some of the district’s de educación técnica (CTE). twg los ntawm ua tiav ib daim ntawv Baccalaureate specialty schools have admissions thov. Kawm kom paub ntxiv thiab Para las escuelas magnet y de espe- McLane Medical Research requirements, with students selected luam daim ntawv thov ntawm www. cialidades, los estudiantes son selecci- Roosevelt School of the Arts based on academic criteria. onados al azar por medio de un sorteo Duel Immersion (students learn ro cuando hay espacio disponible en el Fecha límite 1 de See CHOICE SCHOOLS to speak, read and write in nivel del grado solicitado. Algunas de diciembre para Escuelas Continued on page 12 English and Spanish) Ewing Elementary Leavenworth Elementary Sunset Elementary ADMISSION CRITERIA SCHOOLS Elementary Schools Manchester GATE 2-6 (gifted and talented) Yokomi GATE 3-5 (gifted and talented) Middle Schools Cooper International Baccalaureate 6-8 Computech 7-8 Yosemite Dual Immersion 7-8 (learn to speak, read and write in Spanish and English) High Schools Edison Teacher Nicole Caruso works on a lesson with sixth grade students, from left, Jesse Huerta, Ruth Anne White and Patiño School of Jaskirat Saini at Baird Middle School, one of the district’s magnet schools. Dec. 1 is the deadline to apply for the district’s Entrepreneurship 10-12 magnet and specialty schools for the 2017-18 school year. Page 4 PREPARING CAREER READY GRADUATES www.FresnoUnified.org NOVEMBER 2016 District Plans to Invest in New and Upgraded Classrooms On Nov. 8, members of our commu- true steward for the city of Fresno Potential investments