Agenda Item Wording:
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Visalia Unified School District’s Measure Z presentation - Receive a presentation from Visalia Unified School District on the mission and vision that Visalia Unified District holds to address key issues using Measure Z which is to be included on the ballot in the upcoming November 2026 election.
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Agenda Date: 09/21/2026
Prepared by:
Jenna Verkaik, Intern, jenna.verkaik@visalia.gov, (559)713-4314, Reyna Rivera, Chief Deputy City Clerk, reyna.rivera@visalia.gov, (559)713-4512
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council receive a presentation on the plan that Visalia Unified School District has created using Measure Z to address updating and maintaining long-term repairs for their facilities.
Summary:
At the request of Visalia Unified School District (VUSD), Superintendent Kirk Shrum and Chief Business Officer Nathan Hernandez will provide an informational presentation on Measure Z, VUSD’s school facilities bond measure that will appear on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot. The presentation is intended to provide the Visalia City Council and the community with information about the measure, the facility needs Measure Z is intended to address, and its potential financial impact on property owners. As the City and VUSD serve many of the same residents and families, the presentation provides an opportunity to ensure community leaders and the public have accurate information about an issue that would impact schools throughout Visalia. This is an informational item only; no Council action is requested.
Background Discussion:
The Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved placing Measure Z on the November ballot at its July 23, 2026 meeting, following several years of long-range facilities planning that began during the 2023-2024 school year. That process included district-wide facility assessments, community surveys, and campus tours, and more than 1,100 community respondents ultimately weighed in on facility needs before the Board acted.
More than 70 percent of VUSD schools are over 50 years old, and 87 percent of VUSD’s portable classrooms have already outlived their useful lifespan. VUSD assessments have identified more than $600 million in long-term repair and upgrade needs, including approximately $180 million in needs within the next one to five years. VUSD reported 383 roof leaks during the last school year alone, and some campuses currently do not meet modern health, safety, or accessibility codes. VUSD’s routine maintenance budget is intended to cover ongoing patches and small repairs rather than the larger investments needed to bring facilities up to current standards.
Measure Z proposes a $158 million general obligation bond to fund priority facility needs identified through this process, including roof and building infrastructure replacements, health and safety corrections, accessibility upgrades, removal of hazardous materials, replacement of aging portable classrooms, and improvements to drinking water systems.
If approved by voters, Measure Z is estimated to cost property owners $40 per $100,000 of assessed value. As a school general obligation bond under Proposition 39, the measure requires approval by 55 percent of voters casting ballots. By law, bond proceeds must remain locally controlled and cannot be used for administrator salaries, pensions, or routine district operating expenses. State law also requires annual independent financial and performance audits, along with oversight by an independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee.
Measure Z would build on previously voter-approved facility bonds that have already funded improvements throughout VUSD. If approved, it would continue addressing the VUSD’s remaining facility needs based on current enrollment projections, building conditions, and long-term education needs. Because school facility conditions directly affect the families and neighborhoods the City also serve, this presentation offers the Council and the public a direct opportunity to hear from VUSD leadership about the measure before voting begins in November.
Fiscal impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
No fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
None
Alternatives:
None
Recommended Motion (and alternative motions if expected):
recommendation
No motion required, informational presentation only.
Environmental Assessment Status:
None
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review:
None
Attachments:
Visalia Unified School District Measure Z: Addressing Safety & Educational Priorities in our Schools Presentation
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Select all that apply.
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□  Economic Vitality |
□  Organizational Excellence |
□  Fiscal Strength |
□  Infrastructure & Growth |
■  Quality of Life |