No more money for Fresno schools

Let’s face it, a bond is debt. More specifically, it is long-term debt.

Fresno Unified School District is asking for another bond, Measure X, to the tune of $225 million without so much as a hint as to where it would go. Measure Q, passed in 2010, asked for $280 million and was approved. At least we were given information as to how it would be spent. Whether or not it was used as intended is up to you. I have a little trouble believing that it was.

The district is facing substantial legal fees, given money to the Fresno Police Department that has nothing to do with our classrooms, failed to provide adequate security for students and staff and has shown little academic gain. All of this information can be substantiated online and, now, it wants more money.

Given the lack of fiscal responsibility it has shown, I’m inclined to vote a definite “no.” I would encourage all readers to check the verbiage in this measure and ask themselves what happened to Measure Q and has it been repaid? It’s still out there; it’s still active and we’re the ones paying it down. Time to say “no more.”

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 1:12 PM with the headline "No more money for Fresno schools."