Fresno Unified School District announced that, as part of a $55 million projected budget deficit, it will no longer provide district‑funded field trips for transitional kindergarten through sixth grade during the 2026‑27 school year. The $2.2 million previously earmarked for elementary enrichment trips has been removed, shifting the financial burden to individual schools and families.
Impact on Mayfair Elementary’s sixth‑grade camp
Mayfair Elementary principal Faviola Perez said the decision means her sixth‑grade class will not be able to attend the annual science camp unless additional money is raised. The camp, traditionally held in late October, costs about $360 per student, plus extra fees for parent chaperones. Perez estimates the school will need roughly $50,000 within two months to cover the entire class.
“I know for a fact that I cannot fund sixth‑grade camp, and because we were told so late, I need some time to plan,” Perez told reporters. “These parents are not happy, and I don’t think most of my parents can pay $300 a kid.” She added that Mayfair has never had a separate budget line for field trips and that staff are considering cuts to student performance incentives and teacher‑supplied classroom supplies to free up funds.
Parents voice frustration
Parent Annie Masutsubo learned of the cuts through the district’s ParentSquare platform and a back‑to‑school night announcement. She described the district’s communication as leaving schools “high and dry.” Masutsubo said her son was looking forward to the trip and that she does not plan to start a lemonade stand to raise the necessary money.
“I chose this district specifically because I wanted my child to have these opportunities, to have this kind of inclusion and equity, and when the district makes these choices, it’s eroding the very thing that I chose the district for,” she said.
Teacher association response
Manuel Bonilla, president of the Fresno Teachers Association, echoed the concerns of parents and staff. He noted that the central office spent about $1.5 million on travel last year and continues to allocate funds for leadership consultants and litigation, while elementary students lose valuable experiential learning.
Bonilla announced that the teachers’ union will hold a virtual meeting with community members to explore possible solutions, though a specific date has not yet been set.
District’s explanation
AJ Kato, communications manager for Fresno Unified, said the district eliminated the centrally funded TK‑6 enrichment trips to address the deficit, but emphasized that individual school sites still have discretionary budgets that can be used for such expenses if they choose.
“School sites still have site budgets they can use for those expenses,” Kato said. “We are encouraging schools to explore creative funding options while we work to stabilize the district’s finances.”
What’s next for families?
Families at Mayfair and other Fresno schools now face a tight timeline to raise funds before the planned camp dates. Some are considering fundraising events, while others may need to forego the experience altogether. The district has not indicated whether the cuts will be revisited in future budget cycles.
Stakeholders are watching closely as Fresno Unified seeks to balance fiscal responsibility with the educational enrichment that field trips provide.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
