How can California better support school districts that fall between high-wealth and high-need categories — districts that are under-resourced but overlooked by current funding models?

FUSD is emblematic of districts “caught in the middle” — not affluent enough to self-fund through property tax surpluses like Basic Aid districts (e.g., Palo Alto), yet ineligible for need-based support under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) like Oakland. The goal is to develop a Policy Framework Paper offering practical, equity-driven funding solutions that reflect California’s regional cost realities.

Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) faces significant funding challenges that place us at a disadvantage when compared to districts like Palo Alto Unified and Oakland Unified. We do not benefit from the same levels of property tax revenue per pupil as wealthier neighboring districts. At the same time, we also do not qualify for the additional state funding directed toward high-need districts under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), as our demographics fall into a middle ground. This creates a systemic inequity where districts like ours are underfunded despite serving a large, diverse student population with increasing academic, social, and emotional needs.

• Disparities in per-pupil funding: While Palo Alto Unified receives over $20,000 per student and Oakland Unified receives increased funding due to LCFF high-need adjustments, FUSD receives significantly less per pupil, closer to $14,000–$15,000 despite operating in one of the most expensive regions in the country.

• Lack of facilities funding and aging infrastructure: Fremont’s rapid population growth and fluctuations in the birthrate has outpaced school construction and modernization efforts, and limited capital funding has compounded this challenge.

• High cost of living and staff retention: Our district staff struggles with cost-of-living pressures and salaries that cannot always compete with neighboring districts, further exacerbating inequity.

• Policy implications: There is a strong need for the state to reevaluate the funding formula or establish a new category or mechanism that addresses the unique needs of “in-between” districts like FUSD, those not affluent enough to self-sustain at high levels through property taxes such as Palo Alto, but also not qualifying for LCFF supplemental support as Oakland does.

• Affordable workforce housing (Sen. Wahab staff)

• Funding - Equalization Reserve Account (SB 743 - placed on ‘suspense file’ due to budgetary impact)

• AB 2530 (Asm. Lee) - Housing for Educators

• AB 2881 (Asm. Lee) - The Social Housing Act

Apr 25, 2025: PTA Advocacy Day: Defined key question.

May 1, 2025: Briefed AHS Principal and PTSA on core issues, recommended PTSA actions.

May 9, 2025: Input from FUSD Superintendent Zack Larsen (key issues)

May 9, 2025: Meeting with CA Sen. Aisha Wahab’s staff. Secured support. Learned about SB 743 introduced by CA Sen. Dave Cortese

Work in Progress