(Dan Rubin Reporting)
After years of reduced spending, the future looks brighter for the Fresno Unified School District.
The district will have more money to spend, thanks to the passage of Proposition 30.
Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson says the problems created by years of cuts won't be fixed in one fiscal year. "We are still down $110 million in resources," said Hanson.
Fresno Unified's budget is $640 million to spend on 99 schools and over 71,000 students.
The state has more money to spend after the passage of Proposition 30, which will allow Fresno Unified to restore furlough days and hire teachers. "That frankly provided an additional $27 million of resources for Fresno Unified and our students that previously had been cut," said Ruth Quinto, Fresno Unified Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer.
The extra money will allow the district to fill about 95 teaching positions, which will mean one less student for every 4th through 12th grade classroom.