Eagle Era

The details and implications of the passing of Measure M

Ryan Liu

Staff Writer

     The November 2024 election brought with it the passing of Measure M, a significant victory for FUSD. The measure, which gained significant support among the Fremont citizens, is set to provide funding for much needed structural improvements, technological improvements, and safety enhancements for district schools. With a 62% majority voting for Measure M, the Fremont voters voiced their support towards increased school finances.

     According to FUSD, Measure M is a $919 million bond measure which will be used to provide infrastructure funding for schools in the district. FUSD Board of Education president Yajing Zhang said, “The funding is crucial for structural improvements such as constructing replacement buildings, enhancing science labs, or even eco-friendly lighting.”

      The FUSD website said that the district, as one of the lowest funded districts in Alameda county according to Zhang, desperately needs this measure, even though the bond would cost voters 4.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

     This influx of funding also presents the challenge of allocating funds among FUSD’s 43 school sites. Zhang said, “There are a number of criteria that the Board uses to determine the amount of money allocated to each school. For example, the Facility Condition Index (FCI) and student enrollment numbers play a role in the amount of funding received by certain schools.”

     The passage of Measure M could also improve classroom environments and enhance technology, potentially contributing to increased quality of education and anticipated higher satisfaction among students at American. “We have been using the same old equipment for years now, from rusty dumbbells to ridiculously slow chromebooks,” Rishventh Ramoshan (10) said. “I can’t wait to see how the upgrades will change our high school experience.” Despite the benefits of better learning spaces, however, the bulk of student growth still lies within their own efforts. “I believe that the new renovations with the Measure M funds will improve student experiences in the classrooms and create better learning environments,” Sohum Kshirsagar (10) said. “However, an upgraded classroom might not directly correlate to learning more, as ultimately the depth of understanding depends on the student and teacher.”

    This excitement among students ultimately reflects the broader potential of this measure to transform not only individual experiences, but also the entire district. As Superintendent Erik Burmeister said on the FUSD website, “This measure would help provide our local schools a chance to catch up to where other districts are now, and help maintain the district’s excellence and status as a destination for families.”

FUSD is one of the lowest funded districts in Alameda County, as shown by the old and deteriorating infrastructure at American. With Measure M funds, students can expect to see improved education systems and restored buildings (Photo Credit: Ryan Liu (10)).

Ryan Liu – Staff Writer