The Fresno Unified School District will hold community meetings in early 2009 to gather input on the long-range Facilities Master Plan, which includes a proposed feeder pattern for each high school that promotes consistency and predictability for students, as well as considering the re-purposing of several schools and the construction of new schools in the areas of most need. To ensure that the facility needs of FUSD are addressed beyond the Measure K bond passed in 2001, the Board of Education appointed the Facilities Ad hoc Advisory Committee (FAAC) to spearhead a long-range facilities master plan to address the needs of students well into the future.

The FUSD Board of Education received the First Budget Interim Report for 2008/09 Dec. 10 at its regularly scheduled meeting. The specific affect to FUSD is still unknown; however, FUSD will plan for a significant impact given the current dismal economic picture at state and national levels. FUSD stands in a much better position than most other districts in the state due to prudent budget actions. FUSD made $15 million of budget reductions required in 2008/09 without layoffs, classified or certificated – more than $7 million in reductions were taken in the Central Administrative Offices, and reserves were used of approximately $7.5 million. For 2009/2010, FUSD will remain dedicated to a similar strategy: a balanced approach of reductions and utilizing the reserves with a focus on minimal disruption to the learning environment.

FUSD Superintendent Michael Hanson gave a final report November 18 on the Edison High School investigation of an alleged student grade change. Superintendent Hanson’s statement is available here: http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/pdfs/STATEMENT - Edison News Conference - Investigation 11-18-08.pdf. Superintendent Hanson shared a report submitted to him on proposed system improvements based on the investigation. The report is available here: http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/pdfs/Report to Superintendent - Systems Improvements 11-18-08.pdf.

The 2008 LEA Plan Addendum is now available at the following link: FUSD LEA Plan Addendum 2008

Fresno Unified School District has been awarded a nearly $300,000 grant to be received over the next four years from AT&T. The High School Success grant will be used to target students in all Fresno Unified high and middle schools who have scored at a proficient or advanced level on standardized tests, but have an academic grade point average less than 2.0. This significant grant will bolster district efforts to keep students in school and on target to graduate. For more information, http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/att-awards-more-360000-grants/story.aspx?guid=%7B41163466-857A-4F6E-A350-A4CE45C63947%7D&dist=hppr.

The Board of Education holds regular meetings every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.Click here for details
As supporting material for board agenda items are made available, they may be accessed through using this link.

Students welcomed the Road to College bus to Bullard High School, thanks to the $1.6 million, four-year Steps to College Success effort by California State University and AT&T California to increase college access for students in underserved communities. Superintendent Michael Hanson and Fresno State University President John Welty announced a new partnership between FUSD and Fresno State that will provide guidance services and counselor training to further promote a college-going culture and produce career ready graduates. Students are encouraged to begin their online college application process early, as CSU and UC colleges and universities have opened their online college application filing period.

Fresno Unified School District is now accepting applications for the magnet programs offered at elementary, middle, and high schools. Information on the programs and an online application are available here http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/magnet/index.html or by calling the Magnet Schools Office at 457-6063. Applications are due December 1st.

Fresno Unified School District Board of Education established a Constituent Services Office to respond to the needs of parents and community members. Miguel Arias, the Constituent Services administrator, helps parents and community members to receive their requested information and guides them on the most effective route to address or resolve an issue. Fresno serves more than 73,000 students at 106 schools, and the Constituent Services Office helps to connect parents and community members with the information and resources to get the help they need swiftly. The Constituent Services Office can be reached at 457-3727.

The Fresno Unified School District will submit a grant application to the California Department of Education for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens. The application will be for Edison High School. If approved, the grant money will be used to provide academic support and enrichment activities for students after school. More information is available from the Districts Grants Office at (559) 457-3186.

On August 5, school and district leaders met to discuss the 2008-09 school year at the annual Leadership Conference. Click here for the Superintendents Address http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/pdfs/Final 2008 Leadership Conference.pdf and PowerPoint presentation http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/pdfs/2008 Leadership Conference.pdf.

2008-2009 Parent & Student Notification and Information Handbook
Every Student enrolled in Fresno Unified should receive a copy of the Parent Notification and Information handbook from school. You can also download this document in Adobe Acrobat PDF format . The 2008-2009 Parent & Student Notification and Information Handbooks are also available electronically in Spanish and Hmong versions.

For the third year in a row, FUSD demonstrated districtwide growth in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics on the California Standards Tests (CSTs). In addition, this is the third year of districtwide growth for all subgroups in both ELA and math with the exception of a one year dip in 2007 for African American students (in math).

Since 1998, we have never seen this kind of magnitude of across the board student achievement gains in grades 2-7 in mathematics for Fresno Unified, nor have we as a system been so targeted in our efforts, said Michael E. Hanson, Superintendent Fresno Unified upon reviewing the results. This represents approximately 1,200 students who are now proficient who were not before. If we keep them on track engaged and on target to graduate - we will be providing these students with an opportunity for the future much different than it would have been just a year ago.

Please visit the California Department of Educations website to view state, district and school results at http://star.cde.ca.gov/.

Please visit http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/pdf/doc024.pdf to view the Formal Notice of Election in to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 for Fresno Unified School District. For further information please visit the Board of Education site at http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/board.html

Fresno Unified School District is in the process of major change to improve our schools and the education all Fresno students receive. As a result, the district is creating a long range facilities master plan. This plan will provide important information on what our school facilities should look and feel like now and in the future to provide excellent education and a great school experience for all students.

To view more detailed information concerning the FUSD Facility Master Plan, please visit http://www.fresnounified.org/dept/planning/masterplan/default.aspx.

An overview of the Adopted Budget 2008-2009 for Fresno Unified School District is available for download at the following link: http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/pdfs/Budget adoption 08-09.pdf.

Fresno Unifieds latest edition of Building Futures is now available. This edition features Fresno Unifieds cutting-edge technology, a parents guide to MRSA in California, a community partnership with Fresnos Rotary donating 6,000 dictionaries to 3rd graders and more. Fresno Unified would like to thank the many businesses that supported Building Futures making our January edition a success. If you are interested in advertising in Building Futures please review our media kit. For additional information contact the Communications Office at 457-3733.