Our schools are one of the reasons families choose to live in Folsom and Rancho Cordova. They are places where students discover their talents, build friendships, and prepare for their futures. Ensuring that our school facilities keep pace with the needs of our growing community is one of the most important responsibilities we share.
In recent months, I’ve heard many thoughtful questions from families and community members about school construction: When will new schools be built? Why are additional campuses needed? How are facilities funded? And what role might a bond measure play in supporting this work?
These are important questions. School facilities are a complex topic, but they are also central to the success of our students and the long-term strength of our community.
In this month’s column, I’d like to begin addressing some of these questions. There is a great deal to discuss, so consider this the start of an ongoing conversation. Today, I’d like to share some of the factors FCUSD and our Board of Education are considering as we plan for both existing facility needs and those on the horizon.
Maintaining Safe and Functional Schools
Over the past two decades, FCUSD has made significant investments in modernizing our campuses and creating learning spaces that support today’s students. Across the District, we have improved safety and accessibility, upgraded infrastructure, and built new STEAM labs, Career Technical Education facilities, and performing arts spaces that allow students to explore their interests and prepare for future careers.
At the same time, many of our school buildings are aging. Some campuses were built decades ago and require ongoing modernization to ensure they remain safe, functional, and supportive learning environments. This work includes replacing roofs, updating electrical systems, maintaining heating and cooling equipment, addressing plumbing needs, and making important safety, security, and ADA-accessibility improvements.
Much of this work happens quietly throughout the year. While students and families may not always see it, maintaining our facilities is essential to keeping our schools operating safely and effectively. Like maintaining a home, these are ongoing responsibilities that cannot be deferred without creating larger challenges down the road.
OurFacilities Comprehensive Planidentifies these needs over the next several years to help guide responsible, long-term planning. These are not one-time costs, but part of the continuous investment required to care for dozens of campuses across our District.
Planning for a Growing Community
In addition to maintaining our existing campuses, we must also plan for growth. Over the past 20 years, FCUSD has funded and constructed five new schools to serve our expanding community.
Looking ahead, additional schools will be needed over time to accommodate new housing development and ensure students can attend schools close to home. Planning for future campuses allows us to be proactive – so that when growth occurs, we are ready to serve students without overcrowding existing schools.
As with maintenance, this planning happens over many years. New schools are built in phases, aligned with actual enrollment growth and available funding, not all at once. We currently have seven new schools across FCUSD that are in our long-term plans.
Utilizing Multiple Funding Sources
FCUSD has a long history of fiscal stewardship and responsible planning. Over the past 30 years, the District has relied on a variety of funding sources to support school construction and facility improvements. During that time, we have leveraged $154 million in state matching grants, collected more than $214 million in developer fees, and invested $634 million in voter-approved bonds to improve and build schools.
Each of these funding sources plays an important role, but each also has limitations.
Certain state funding sources, such as Proposition 98 funds, cannot be used for construction or major maintenance. State matching grants are typically reimbursed after projects are completed, which can take years. Developer impact fees are capped by state law, FCUSD currently collects the maximum allowed and those funds alone are not sufficient to build new schools. Bond funds, when approved by voters, are specifically designated for facility improvements and are spent over time on clearly identified projects.
Because of these limitations, Districts must rely on a combination of funding sources and careful, long-term planning. Before considering any future bond measure, our team continues to explore every available option, including phasing projects strategically, applying value engineering to reduce costs, and pursuing additional funding opportunities whenever possible.
A Long-Term, Responsible Approach
When we talk about school facilities, it’s easy to focus on construction and costs. But ultimately, this work is about ensuring that students have safe, modern, and well-maintained places to learn, both today and in the future.
The needs identified in ourFacilities Comprehensive Planreflect long-term planning over many years, not immediate or one-time expenditures. They are intended to guide thoughtful decision-making so we can prioritize projects, align funding sources, and remain responsible stewards of community resources.
Folsom and Rancho Cordova have long been communities that value education and invest in their schools. Generations before us made decisions that created the learning environments our students benefit from today. As we look ahead, we have the same opportunity and responsibility to ensure that future students have the facilities they need to succeed.
There is much more to discuss about our District’s facilities and the planning ahead. I look forward to continuing this conversation in future columns and out in the community. If you have questions you would like me to address, please feel free to reach out. Your voice is an important part of this process as we plan for the future together.
Erik Swanson authored this article and is the Superintendent of the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
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