![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GVWire-Ad-Get-our-mobile-app-1280x90-1-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn the resolution, Central Unified raises concerns about lost resources, urban sprawl, and lack of investment in the communities it serves.<\/p>\n
The documents assert that communities west of Highway 99 face \u201csystemic underinvestment.\u201d The city has promised to support public infrastructure, such as roads, parks, and transit, but continues to put money elsewhere, according to the resolution.<\/p>\n
\u201cIts 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,\u201d documents state.<\/p>\n
However, last October, the Fresno City Council unanimously<\/a> passed the\u00a0West Area Neighborhoods Specific Plan<\/a>. The land-use document guides growth west of Highway 99, an area often called \u201cForgotten Fresno\u201d by its residents.<\/p>\n Fresno Unified Tabled Similar Resolution<\/p>\n 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 \u201cresponsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n Recently, Fresnoland reported<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Dyer did not return a request for comment made by GV Wire to a city spokesperson before publication of this story.<\/p>\n Related Story: Fresno Unified Trustees\u2019 Political Motivations Questioned Over SEDA …<\/a><\/p>\n Central Unified Concerned About Resources and Student Enrollment<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The resolution does not address enrollment directly but mentions resources dependent on ADA-based funding multiple times.<\/p>\n Documents highlight the need for \u201cculturally and linguistically sustaining programs,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n 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%.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n