Central High Students Are Being Left Behind. Sign to Change That

Central Unified School District celebrated Central High's water polo team with a city-proclaimed holiday. Then sent them back to a campus without a pool.

That's not a oversight. That's a choice, and it's time the District made a different one.

 
The Inequity Is Real and It Was Built On Purpose

When Central Unified constructed Justin Garza High School, they built the most state-of-the-art campus in Fresno. Meanwhile, Central High, one of the city's oldest schools, was left behind with outdated facilities and no on-campus pool.

Central High is the only high school in Fresno without one.

That gap didn't happen by accident. It's the direct result of the District's own planning decisions. And every year it goes unaddressed, the District is choosing to let it continue.

 
This Isn't Just About a Pool; It's About Daily Life

Every single school day, Central High student-athletes lose nearly an hour to off-campus travel and waiting just to practice. That's time stolen from homework, sleep, recovery, and family. No other school in the district carries this burden.

One parent put it simply: "I see daily how tired my son is after practice. He barely has enough time to complete homework before bedtime."

These students aren't falling short. The system is.

 
They've Already Proven Themselves, Despite the Obstacles

This year's water polo team won a championship. Their league MVP broke the district's single-season and single-game scoring records. Their goalie was voted best in the league. Both ranked in the top 50 nationally.

They did all of this without the resources every other school already has.

Grit got them here. But grit is not a substitute for equity, and their success should never be used to justify the District's failure to act.

 
The Momentum Is There. The District Just Needs to Commit.

Central High is already building an aquatics program, starting at the elementary level. Coaches are ready. Students are interested. The foundation is being laid.

But without district investment, it stalls. Every year of delay means another class of students denied the same opportunities their peers across Fresno take for granted.

 
What We're Demanding

By signing this petition, you are calling on the Central Unified School District Board to commit, at its next board meeting to:

Approving funding to upgrade Central High's facilities
Committing to construction of an on-campus pool
Publishing a clear timeline so students and families can hold the District accountable
Not more studies. Not more delays. A real, public commitment.

 
Sign now.

Central High's students have already shown the District what they're capable of. It's time the District shows them the same.