• Preparing Students for the Future

     

    Delano Union School District (DUSD) serves approximately 6,200 students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 8th grade and strives to provide students with a high-quality education, preparing them for high school and beyond. Teachers and staff strive to deliver a supportive learning environment that models a strong, positive work ethic, sparks an attitude of inquiry and enthusiasm for learning, and enables students to become productive and responsible citizens.

    Updating Local Schools to Support Student Learning 

    We’re proud of the high quality of education in Delano schools, but some of our schools were built over 70 years ago and need repairs and upgrades to meet current academic and safety standards. The Facilities Assessment and Implementation Plan, adopted in 2019, includes projects such as replacing deteriorating portable classrooms with permanent classrooms, renovating classrooms to support flexible learning environments, and upgrading classroom technology to meet current learning standards.   

    Local Funding for Facilities Improvements 

    To maintain Delano elementary and middle schools and provide safe and modern classrooms for local students, the Delano Union School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a $41.8 million school facilities bond measure on the November 2024 ballot. If approved, this measure would provide locally controlled funding for school facility improvements. The bond measure would cost homeowners approximately $25 per $100,000 of a property’s assessed value (not market value), annually, while bonds are outstanding. It is currently projected that a new measure would not increase the current tax rate for the District’s outstanding bonds.  

     If approved by 55% of local voters, a school facilities measure could:

    • Upgrade classrooms, libraries, music and arts classrooms to support student learning
    • Update and improve fire safety systems, school security and emergency communications systems 
    • Enhance instructional technology in classrooms for student learning
    • Repair or replace leaky roofs, heating and cooling systems and outdated plumbing
    • Improve accessibility for students with disabilities

    Mandatory Fiscal Accountability 

    A school facilities bond measure requires mandatory fiscal accountability provisions to ensure proper use of funds, including:

    • All funds raised by this measure would be required to be spent only to improve neighborhood schools
    • The measure would require independent citizens’ oversight and mandatory annual audits to ensure the money is spent as promised
    • By law, no funds could be used for administrators’ salaries or pensions