Visalia Unified School District
Office Boardroom
5000 Cypress
Visalia, CA 93277
Visalia City Council Special
Joint Meeting
Visalia City Council
Meeting Agenda - Final
Mayor Brett Taylor
Vice Mayor Liz Wynn
Council Member Steve Nelsen
Council Member Emmanuel Hernandez Soto
Council Member Brian Poochigian
Special Joint Meeting with
Visalia Unified School District
Location: 5000 Cypress Avenue
5:30 PMThursday, October 23, 2025
Special Joint Meeting - Visalia Unified School District SPECIAL SESSION ITEMS (as described)
4:45 PM Dinner (Optional)
CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL JOINT SESSION WITH VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (VUSD) - 5:30 PM
ROLL CALL
INTRODUCE INTERPRETER
PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time for general public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the Visalia City Council. Each speaker tonight may speak for up to 3 minutes during this general comment period on a matter that is not on this agenda.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
SPECIAL PRESENTATION / RECOGNITION
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
RECOGNITION OF VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER
JOINT MEETING ITEMS
1. Visalia Unified Forward 2030: A Community-Driven Blueprint for the Future Presentation
25-0488
2. City of Visalia Future General Plan Update Presentation 25-0486
ADJOURNMENT
1 Visalia City Council Special Joint
Meeting
Staff Report
Visalia Unified School
District Office Boardroom
5000 Cypress
Visalia, CA 93277
File #: 25-0488 Agenda Date: 10/23/2025 Agenda #: 1.
Agenda Item Wording:
Visalia Unified Forward 2030: A Community-Driven Blueprint for the Future Presentation Prepared by: Visalia Unified School District
Visalia City Council Special Joint Meeting Printed on 10/22/2025Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™
2 OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT
I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN
Preparations for School Openings
LOREM IPSUM TEXT
VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1 October 23, 2025
Visalia Unified 2030: A Community-Driven Blueprint for the Future
VISALIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
3 2
4 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT ● Strategic Plan Update
● Facilities Plan Update
3 Agenda
5 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
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68 79
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9 11
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10 1.A Academic Achievement and Preparedness
1.A.1 - Ensure every classroom is highly effective
2.A Supportive Learning and Growth
2.A.2.1 - Expand opportunities for student voice across the district.
3.A Resource and Operational Management
3.A.2.1 - Design and implement a public financial dashboard. 12 OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
11 DRAFT
DRAFT
Coming Soon
13 OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
Superintendent Student Advisories/USAV
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13 15
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15 17
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 16 Facilities Plan
18 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Purpose of the LRFMP:
● Balance enrollment across schools
○ Align school enrollment with school site capacity
● Address community growth
○ NW and SE continue to experience residential development ● Be fiscally responsible
○ Ensure investments align with future needs of the district 1719
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 18 Short-Term Implementation
20 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Short-Term Approved Actions
19 Key Issues Approved Actions
Annie R Mitchell, Denton &
Riverway exceed capacity
● Expand boundaries for Crowley, Shannon Ranch and Manuel F Hernandez to relieve Riverway
● Expand boundaries for Pinkham and Mountain View to relieve Annie R Mitchell GLC is currently underutilized ● Add a boundary area to GLC to better utilize facility and relieve Riverway Oak Grove exceeds capacity ● Oak Grove transitions to TK-6 to allow for growth within the boundary Reduce Denton capacity and offset
Development in the NW area
● Begin design, approval and complete construction of new elementary school Relieve Green Acres ● Royal Oaks feeds into Divisadero to increase utilization Ridgeview exceeds capacity ● GLC will feed into Green Acres which reduces overcrowding at Ridgeview Middle School
● Begin design, approval and construction for 6 permanent classrooms to keep target utilization
Redwood exceeds capacity ● Reduce transfers into Redwood High School Minor adjustments to Middle and High school boundaries to keep clean feeder patterns
BOARD APPROVED
21 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 20 Project
Cost
Project Cost
New Elementary School $48.0 million
Ridgeview (6) additional Classrooms $5.0 Million
Boundary Changes No Cost
Estimated Total: $53,000,000
Short-Term Costs & Savings
22 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Current Enrollment and Trends
2123
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 2024-25 CALPADs Enrollment by Grade
22 24
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 10-Year
Projection
23 25
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24 HS Enrollment Comparison 2018 vs 2025 Study
Comparison of
HS enrollment
projections vs
actuals from the
2018 and 2025
demographic
studies.
8335
9867
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25 HIGH SCHOOL LONG TERM NEEDS
● High school overcrowding still needs to be addressed and a new high school along with other concepts have been considered ● District enrollment assumptions have changed since 2018, enrollment projections for high school have declined significantly ● Elementary needs have expanded, programs have been added including the TK grade level, Visual and Performing Arts through Proposition 28, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Programming ● $70 million in Measure A funds remain available to address school facility needs
27 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Long-Term Challenges
4-10 Years
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Enrollment & Capacity
• Elementary: 14 schools over 90% capacity; 4 schools below 70% • Middle: Ridgeview enrollment over 900; variation between sites • High: 2 high schools over 100% capacity
Classroom & Portable Needs
• Elementary: 16 additional classrooms needed (if leased portables remain in use) • High: 26 additional classrooms needed (achieve 85% utilization); continue to rely on portables • Districtwide: Currently have 114 temporary portables; will need 42 more if we do not build classrooms Growth & Development
• Northwest & Southeast: New developments beyond 6–10 year projections • Housing: 11,000 homes planned; 4,800 within next 6 years • Capture Rate: 0.45 students per new home
Financial Impact
• Annual cost of portables: $2.06 million
27 District Concerns In (4-10 Years)
29 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Elementary Schools
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 29 Elementary Schools
Key Issues Additional development in Northwest and Southeast beyond 6-10 yr projections Scope - Develop new Elementary School in Southeast (4-6 yrs) - Develop another new Elementary School in Northwest (6-10 yrs) Impact - Relieves Mountain View, Pinkham, Mineral King, Annie R Mitchell - Anticipates future development in Northwest and Southeast Staff Recommendation - Purchase and develop properties as funding becomes available Rationale - Contingent on pace of development within the quadrants Project Cost $ TBD
Funding Source F250 Developer Fees (contingent on matching funds) 31 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Middle Schools
3032
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Utilization – Middle Schools
31 33
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 32 Middle Schools
Key Issues - Disparity in enrollment, continued development of the northwest Scope - Boundary change to Ridgeview and La Joya
- Build 6 classrooms at La Joya
Impact - Increase La Joya to balance enrollment
Staff Recommendation - Boundary adjustments that alleviate enrollment at Ridgeview - Build 6 classrooms at La Joya
Rationale
- Balanced middle school enrollment
- Supports citywide growth
- Accessibility to VAPA and Athletics
Project Cost $7,668,450
Funding Source Multi-funded
34 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT High Schools
3335
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Utilization – High Schools
34 36
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 35 High Schools
Key Issues ● Disparity in enrollment across sites
● Not enough permanent classrooms
Scope
● Build permanent classrooms to increase the capacity of current schools ● Adjust boundaries to balance enrollment across sites
● Advanced academic programing and facility improvements at MWHS Staff Recommendation
● Build classroom additions to existing High Schools (26 classrooms) ● Boundary adjustments
● Facility improvements at MWHS
Rationale
● Existing schools can be optimized to accommodate growth through boundary adjustments, programs and development
● Allows for enrollment projections and trends to be analyzed ● Allows for investment into existing facilities
Project Cost $46,372,086 (classrooms)
TBD (MWHS facility improvements)
Funding Source Measure A
37 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 36 CONSIDERATIONS KEY ISSUES SCOPE IMPACT PROJECT
COST
Elementary
Additional development in
the Northwest and
Southeast beyond 6-10 yr
projections
● Develop new Elementary School
in Southeast (4-6 yrs)
● Develop another new Elementary
School in Northwest (6-10 yrs)
● Relieves Mountain View, Pinkham,
Mineral King, ARM
● Anticipates future development/growth in
Northwest
$ TBD
MIddle School
Disparity in enrollment ● Additions to La Joya (6 CRs)
● Minor adjustments to Ridgeview
● Minor adjustments to Valley Oak
● Create balanced enrollment
● Supports future growth
● Access to VAPA and Sports $7,680,450
High School
Overcrowding at existing
High Schools
● Additions to existing High School
(26 CRs)
● Minor boundary adjustments
● Existing school can be optimized to
accommodate growth
● Allows for projections and trends to be
analyzed
● Allows for investment into existing
facilities
$46,372,086
High School Facility Improvements at
MWHS
● Modernization and enhancements
for advanced programming
● Enhanced student experience
● Renewed community confidence $ TBD
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Financials
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT District Funding Sources
• Developer Fees
• Measure A General Obligation Bond
• State Facility Funds (Reimbursements)
As of June 30, 2025, about $140.3 million in funding
available to address current and future facility needs through these funding sources.
Financing District Facilities
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Recap of Funds – Short-& Long Term Implementation
39 Facility Funding Source Funding
Available
Key Notes
Current Available Funding $ 140.3 Million Developer Fees, State Matching Funds and Measure A
Projects in Line for Funding $ 29.2 Million Modernization projects Modernization, New Construction
Projects in Design
($ 81.7 Million) Houston, Veva Blunt, Valley Oak,
Ridgeview and New Elementary
Estimated State Reimbursements $ 26.0 Million Proposition 2 Estimated Total: $ 113.8 Million
Long Term Project Costs $ 7.7
$ 46.4
(6) Classrooms at LJMS
(26) classrooms @ 4 high schools
Estimated Total $ 59.7 million Available Funds
41 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Long Range Facility Master Plan
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Long Range Facility Master Plan
41 January 2024
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OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT Measure E Projects
● Ridgeview MS● Redwood HS Academic Bldg.● RHS Science Mod● GWHS Mod● Mineral King Mod● Ivanhoe Mod● Goshen Mod● Solar @ Various Sites● Playgrounds @ Various Sites● Golden West Music Bldg. ● Crowley Mod● Washington Mod Measure E and Measure A Completed Projects
42 Measure A Projects
● MWHS Gym● MWHS Science● Valley Oak Science & Tech Package● Green Acres Science & Tech Package● La Joya Science & Tech Package● Divisadero Science & Tech Package● Safety and Security (All Sites) Projects in Development
● Houston Modernization
● Crestwood Modernization
● Veva Blunt Modernization
44 I BELIEVE IN, I BELONG IN… I AM VUSD
OWN YOUR JOURNEY | LIFT EACH OTHER UP | KEEP GROWING | SHAPE WHA T’S NEXT 43 MWHS Gym
MWHS Science Mod
Valley Oak Science Mod Green Acres Campus-wide Mod Divisadero Science Mod Safety Measures
45 44 46
Visalia City Council Special Joint
Meeting
Staff Report
Visalia Unified School
District Office Boardroom
5000 Cypress
Visalia, CA 93277
File #: 25-0486 Agenda Date: 10/23/2025 Agenda #: 2.
Agenda Item Wording:
City of Visalia Future General Plan Update Presentation Prepared by: Planning & Community Preservation Director Paul Bernal; [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 713-4025
Visalia City Council Special Joint Meeting Printed on 10/22/2025Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™
47 Future General Plan Update - City of Visalia
October 23, 2025
Special Joint Meeting
City of Visalia &
Visalia Unified School
District
48 What is
Planning?
• “The process by which public agencies (mostly local governments) determine the intensity and geographical arrangements of various land uses in a community” (Fulton, William Guide to California Planning. 1999) • Put simply ,“planning is the process by which
our society decides what gets built where.”
(Fulton, William Guide to California Planning.
1999)
49 What is the
General Plan
• Purpose is to establish a long-range vision for how a community will develop over time.
• Current General Plan, adopted 2014, provides an outlook to 2030 for growth.
• Anticipated buildout of the General Plan seeks to accommodate a population of approximately 210,000.
• Number of housing units anticipated at full buildout: 76,100 units • Current City Limits encompasses approx. 40 sq. miles. • Total Acreage in City Limits: 25,615 ac.
• If fully built out, encompass approx. 66,640 ac.
50 51
Where are
we at today?
• The City has used growth management tiers to manage growth through adoption of “Growth Boundary Tiers” (i.e., Tiers I, II, and III).
• City is permitting development in Tiers II for both commercial and residential development.
• Residential permits issued in Tiers I & II since adoption (2010) is 7,061 permits.
• Residential Tier III Development Boundary achieved only when 12,800 units are issued between Tiers I and II (LU-P-21). 52 53
Where are
we at today?
• 8,873 permits for residential units issued through Sep. 2025. • There are still 3,927 permits that must be issued before the Tier III threshold is satisfied for residential.
• Since 2010, the city has averaged issuance of ±500 units (SFR and MFR combined) per year.
• Based on this average, Visalia is on track to achieve threshold metric of 12,800 units issued in approximately 7.14 years. • There are approved projects that are sufficient to achieve the Tier III threshold much sooner.
54 Where are
we at today?
55 Where are
we at today?
56 Why Update
Now?
• GP is nearing its development horizon (2030).
• Start setting foundation for future growth & growth
areas.
• Update will help to ensure community values are
maintained.
• Address new emerging trends both at local and state
levels.
• Reflect community vision based on changes to
demographics, land use patterns, and how the
community grows (horizontal vs. vertical).
57 Why Update
Now?
• State law requires GPs to remain “current” and
internally consistent.
• Since last update, numerous state housing, climate,
transportation, and equity laws have been enacted
that require policy alignment.
• Local priorities, such as housing affordability /
availability, infrastructure resilience, etc., warrant
reexamination.
58 Potential Key
Focus Areas?
• Growth Management –Balance urban expansion (where do we grow). • Housing & Affordability– Expand housing options, encourage infill, remove barriers to housing, meet RHNA.
• Infrastructure & Services –Plan for water, wastewater, and energy needs. • Climate Resilience –Reduce GHG emissions, adapt to drought, heat, and other environmental factors.
• Mobility & Connectivity –Cont. to support walking, biking, and transit needs.
• Economic Vitality –Attract jobs, support local business, plan for clean tech.
59 Where to
grow?
County
Landfill
St. John’s
River
County
Development
N
60 Where to
grow?
City of
Tulare
City of
Farmsville
N
Mooney
Oakdale Ave.
61 Where to
grow?
Goshen
Highway 99
Wastewater
Treatment
Plant
N
Hwy 198
62 What are the
desired
outcomes?
• Inclusive, transparent process through community engagement. • Alignment with state laws and regional plans.
• Clear policy framework for future development.
• Improved CEQA streamlining and implementation tools.
• Strong links between land use, housing, mobility, and climate action. • Identifying community needs that are non-negotiable.
• Shape how we grow, move, and thrive over the next two decades – ensuring a prosperous future for our community.
63 Next Steps &
Key Dates
• Update process to begin next Fiscal Year (July 2026). • Staff will be developing an RFP to seek a qualified
consultant(s) to facilitate in this process.
• How to be engaged and informed – Contact Planning
staff @ [email protected] further updates.
64 QUESTIONS
65