Central Unified trustees will vote on a resolution opposing the city of Fresno’s decades-old but newly hyper-controversial Southeast Development Area plan.
The resolution, recommended for approval by administration, will allow the district to take a formal stance against the development plan. Trustees will vote on the item tonight, Tuesday April 28.
This opposition would be made “on the grounds that (SEDA) conflicts with the district’s mission to serve, grow, and sustain the communities west of Highway 99,” the resolution states.
In the resolution, Central Unified raises concerns about lost resources, urban sprawl, and lack of investment in the communities it serves.
The documents assert that communities west of Highway 99 face “systemic underinvestment.” The city has promised to support public infrastructure, such as roads, parks, and transit, but continues to put money elsewhere, according to the resolution.
“Its approval signals a clear public choice: to build new infrastructure and invite new growth in undeveloped land on the far edge of Fresno while the communities west of Highway 99 continue to wait for the basic public investments,” documents state.
However, last October, the Fresno City Council unanimously passed the West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan. The land-use document guides growth west of Highway 99, an area often called “Forgotten Fresno” by its residents.
Fresno Unified Tabled Similar Resolution
In February, Fresno Unified proposed a similar resolution to formally oppose SEDA, sighting enrollment concerns. Trustees tabled the item on a 4-3 vote, saying land development was not their “responsibility.”
Recently, Fresnoland reported that Mayor Jerry Dyer, a staunch supporter of SEDA, texted trustees urging them to reject the resolution. However, the item will reappear on the Fresno Unified agenda in May.
Dyer did not return a request for comment made by GV Wire to a city spokesperson before publication of this story.
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Central Unified Concerned About Resources and Student Enrollment
Central Unified serves almost 16,000 students, a number that slightly exceeds pre-pandemic levels. But recently, chronic absenteeism in Central Unified has worsened, lowering the amount of state funding the district receives.
The resolution does not address enrollment directly but mentions resources dependent on ADA-based funding multiple times.
Documents highlight the need for “culturally and linguistically sustaining programs,” such as career technical education and dual language immersion, to support the diverse region. About 80% of students are socioeconomically disadvantaged, 13% are English learners, and 1% are foster youth.
Last school year, 44% of students met or exceeded English Language Arts standards, and 30% of students met or exceeded math standards. ELA scores match pre-pandemic levels, but math results lag behind by almost 3%.
The 9,000-acre SEDA plan falls within Clovis Unified and Sanger Unified boundaries. Both school districts have higher state testing scores than Central Unified.
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Resolution Calls for Infill Development
The resolution opposes SEDA as it is “currently proposed,” requesting that the city invest in communities west of Highway 99.
It calls on officials to “develop and commit to a concrete, funded infrastructure investment plan for communities west of Highway 99 prior to directing any public resources toward peripheral expansion, and to prioritize infill development.”
Additionally, it questions whether the city has the capacity and funds to properly develop the area, causing the financial burden to fall on taxpayers.
The city is now conducting a feasibility study and analyzing the cost of the southern portion of SEDA.
Related Story: Opponents Pronounce SEDA Dead as Residents Pack City Council Meeting
Dyer has defended SEDA while asserting that he doesn’t support sprawl or leapfrog development.
“We’ve seen that in our history in Fresno, but I do support smart growth and incremental development,” Dyer said at a city council meeting.
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