Potential Measure

Preparing Students for the Future

Eastern Sierra Unified School District (ESUSD) provides a high-quality education to approximately 350 TK/kindergarten – 12th grade students throughout our region. The District is comprised of four wonderfully unique communities spread over 100 miles in Mono County. Dedicated teachers and staff are committed to ensuring that all students reach their potential through rigorous and supportive academics, safe learning environments, individualized technology, and extracurricular activities.

Local Need + Local Investment = Local Benefit

We are proud of the high-quality education our students receive to prepare them for college and beyond. However, our high schools’ career technical education (CTE) classrooms and facilities need updates to better prepare students for in-demand careers in engineering, agricultural science, automotive technology, and skilled trades such as culinary, welding, and carpentry.

In our region, there are many high-skilled jobs that go unfilled each year. By providing CTE classrooms, labs and equipment that meet current industry standards, local high school students can be trained for these necessary high-skilled local jobs and be better prepared to work in local businesses in our communities.

Additionally, all of our ESUSD schools would benefit from upgrades to school safety and security systems, including fencing, security cameras, emergency communications systems and intruder protection systems to protect our students and staff in case of an emergency.

Potential Local Funding Measure for ESUSD

To update safety and security systems at all ESUSD schools and potentially construct CTE classrooms and facilities at our high schools, ESUSD is considering placing a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot. As this plan unfolds, the District will be seeking input in a variety of ways from parents, teachers, staff, and our community. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months.

We Value Your Input

We welcome your feedback and questions as we consider our options to meet current facility needs. To share your opinions or to ask questions, please contact Superintendent Heidi Torix at [email protected].

Resources:

CTE Facility Report

Frequently Asked Questions

Eastern Sierra Unified School District

Potential Bond Measure Frequently Asked Questions

How are schools in Eastern Sierra Unified School District doing?

Eastern Sierra Unified School District (ESUSD) serves approximately 350 students in TK/kindergarten through 12th grade in four wonderfully unique communities spread over 100 miles in Mono County.

Dedicated teachers and staff are committed to ensuring that all students reach their potential through rigorous and supportive academics, safe learning environments, individualized technology, and extracurricular activities.

What challenges is ESUSD facing?

We are proud of the high-quality education our students receive to prepare them for college and beyond. However, our high schools need up-to-date career technical education (CTE) classrooms and facilities in which we could prepare students for in-demand careers in engineering, agricultural science, automotive technology, and skilled trades such as culinary, welding, and carpentry.

In our region, there are many high-skilled jobs that go unfilled each year. By providing CTE classrooms, labs and equipment that meet current industry standards, local high school students will be trained for these necessary high-skilled local jobs and be prepared to work in local businesses in our communities.

Are ESUSD schools well-maintained?

Our district maintenance staff works hard to take care of our classrooms and school facilities by keeping up with necessary repairs and maintenance. Unfortunately, significant upgrades to safety and security systems and capital improvements, such as constructing new CTE facilities, are beyond what can be funded by our regular maintenance budget.

What are the options for upgrading school safety and security systems and providing CTE facilities for our students?

The safety and security updates needed in our schools and the construction of new CTE facilities at our high schools are beyond the scope of ESUCSD’s current maintenance budget. District leaders are currently evaluating options for funding these improvements, including utilizing capital reserves in the ESUSD budget and accessing state funds, which require matching funds that may be provided by a local school improvement bond measure.

Many California school districts ask local voters to approve a school improvement bond measure to provide dedicated local funding for repairs, upgrades and new construction, which are funded by local taxpayers. Funding from a potential ESUSD bond measure would be used to improve safety security systems in ESUSD schools and to build CTE facilities at Coleville High School and Lee Vining High School. A bond measure would require a detailed project list showing how funds would be used, and an independent citizens’ oversight committee and annual audits to ensure funds are used as promised.

Does the State provide funding for school improvements?

No, the state does not provide dedicated funding for school facility improvements. The very limited state funding for facility upgrades requires local matching funds, often provided by a local school improvement measure, which are funded by local taxpayers.

How can I find out more?

ESUSD_CTE_FacilitiePlanning