FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno Unified announced it cut $2.2 million in centrally funded kindergarten through sixth-grade field trips as part of its budget cuts.
Parents and teachers’ advocates who heard the news do not understand why students are having to pay the price.
The district said schools can still pay for trips using their own budgets or turn to fundraising.
Parents also raised concerns about a lack of communication from the district, saying many families were left wondering what happened to the funding.
Fresno Unified announced a $20 million Mackenzie Scott gift in 2022 to support high-impact investments for students.
FOX26 asked: How much of that donation remains unspent?
Can any of it be used to restore district funding for student field trips? If not, why?
They responded: The Foundation for Fresno Unified Students is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and expand opportunities for Fresno Unified students. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to Fresno Unified students.
The Foundation’s financial information is publicly reported through its annual Form 990 filings, which are available for public review.
Since the foundation is a separate entity from the district, you can reach out directly to the foundation for further information.
FOX26 then asked The Foundation for Fresno Unified Students the same question.
This was the response we received.
The Foundation for Fresno Unified Students is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and expand opportunities for Fresno Unified students. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships to Fresno Unified students.
As a separate nonprofit organization, the Foundation’s financial information is publicly reported through its annual Form 990 filings, which are available for public review.
Both gave FOX26 the same answer.