How is Fresno Unified spending its $500M school bond? First project is underway

With voters’ passage of Measure H last November, Fresno Unified secured its largest-ever school bond of $500 million.

How is the district spending that windfall?

The district says it launched one of its first bond-funded projects in July — a two-story cafeteria project and campus maintenance building at Fresno High that will total $21 million.

Fresno Unified spokesperson Diana Diaz said the cafeteria is a “strong example of a ‘shovel-ready’ project,” and the design portion was approved in October 2023. The district said the timing of the long-awaited project was dependent on funding availability.

Other projects in “various stages of review, planning, or master planning” include administrative expansion projects at Hoover and Roosevelt high schools totaling $7 million each, as well as eight master plans totaling at around $164 million.

Highlights from these projects include renovated learning facilities for Norseman, Birney, and Calwa elementary schools; portable replacements at the Del Mar, Ericson, Addams, and King campuses; and campuswide repairs at Lane Elementary.

Measure H’s project list includes building ADA-compliant, gender-neutral bathrooms at various school sites.

The bond will also support athletic upgrades such as concrete tennis courts at Sunnyside, locker room upgrades at Bullard High’s south gym, and new field lights at Roosevelt and Fresno High.

In order to “meet key milestones and ensure quality outcomes,” Fresno Unified confirmed it utilizes construction management companies, like Kitchell Corporation, on select projects.

“This approach is based on several factors, including project complexity, delivery method, specialized trade knowledge, volume of work, and critical deadlines. It allows the district to scale staffing appropriately to meet key milestones and ensure quality outcomes,” the district said.

Fresno Unified noted that a “core district team” oversees the projects.

Part of Kitchell Corporation’s support comes in the form of developing the eight-year project schedule, among other duties.

“Their scope also includes updates to Fresno Unified’s design guides, district specifications, and best practices. Additionally, Kitchell provides support in areas such as constructability reviews, value engineering, and design criteria development,” the district said. “This model allows Fresno Unified to remain flexible, responsive, and fiscally responsible while delivering high-quality facilities for students and staff.”

This story was originally published August 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.