Dear Sierra Unified Community,

What a fantastic week it has been for our schools! We have so much to celebrate, from the magic of storytelling to the incredible individual achievements of our students and the progress of our facilities.

Reading Across America
Last week, our Foothill campus was filled with the spirit of Read Across America. It was wonderful to see our students diving into new worlds and discovering the joy of a good book.

We are so grateful for the dedicated volunteers, parents, staff, and board members who took the time to read to our students. Your voices brought these stories to life and helped reinforce a lifelong love of literacy. You are making a tangible difference in our students’ academic journeys!

Excellence in Achievement: Keira Rose and Sierra Fabrication
We are beyond proud to announce that one of our very own, Keira Rose, has been awarded the prestigious Smittcamp Family Honors College Scholarship. This scholarship is one of the most competitive and esteemed awards in the region, recognizing top-tier academic performance, leadership, and service. Keira’s hard work and dedication have truly paid off.

Additionally, we want to celebrate the Sierra Fabrication team, who recently competed at the Madera Fabrication contest. The team showcased incredible skill and teamwork, securing a 3rd place in the competition. Please join us in congratulating both Keira and our Fabrication students on these monumental achievements!

Looking Forward

Student Spotlight: Senior Project Art Show
Sierra High senior Rory Downey invites the community to an exhibition tomorrow, Saturday, March 14 (10 AM–1 PM) at the Sierra Oaks Senior Center. This Senior Project Exhibition features original paintings, illustrations, pottery, and sculptures.

Save the Date: 2026-27 Kindergarten Roundup
Families with incoming students for the 2026-27 school year should mark their calendars for Kindergarten Roundup on April 15 & 16. Stay tuned for more details on registration and requirements in the coming weeks.

Measure U: Facilities Program Update
We are committed to keeping our community informed as we move forward with the vital improvements funded by Measure U. While we have made significant progress in planning, we want to provide a transparent look at the current landscape of school construction and our strategy for the future.

Navigating Construction Challenges
Since our initial facilities needs assessment, the construction industry has seen a significant escalation in costs. Additionally, we are seeing challenges across the supply chain which will cause delays in project start and completion times. To ensure we remain fiscally responsible and maximize the impact of our current budget, it will likely be necessary to delay certain portions of the original scope of work.
These are not easy choices. The district is currently working in close conjunction with the Board of Education to determine which projects will move to a future phase based on current fiscal realities. Any decisions that are made will continue to be guided strictly by our established Board Priorities, focusing on student safety, essential infrastructure, and core learning environments first.

New Funding Opportunities
The passage of Measure local bond was a critical milestone—not just for the immediate funds it provides, but for the "matching" opportunities it unlocks.
Proposition 2 Eligibility: Because our community passed a local bond, Sierra is now eligible to apply for state matching funds through Proposition 2.
Small School Set-Aside: For the first time, the State has carved out specific funding exclusively for small schools. This significantly increases the likelihood of Sierra being awarded a competitive grant.
Target Goal: We are aggressively pursuing these avenues with the hope of being awarded an additional $10 to $12 million.

Looking Ahead
While these funding prospects are exciting, state timelines require patience. Current projections indicate that these additional state funds would be awarded by 2029 at the earliest.
We view this as a multi-phase journey. By prioritizing our most urgent needs now and positioning ourselves for state support, we are ensuring that every dollar—both local and state—is used to build the best possible future for Sierra students.

We will continue to keep you apprised as we move forward.

Thank you for your continued support in making our district a place where students can thrive both in and out of the classroom. Let’s keep this momentum going through the rest of the month!

Warmly,
Dr. Lori GraceSuperintendent
Sierra Unified School District