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Chico Unified board splits remaining Measure C charter funds after heated debate
Summary
After hours of testimony from charter leaders and parents, the Chico Unified School District board voted 3–2 to award Sherwood Montessori $5.6 million from the Measure C charter project pot and to direct the remaining $1.9 million toward Blue Oak’s project while asking Blue Oak to return with a downsized plan.
The Chico Unified School District board on Oct. 15 approved a contested allocation of Measure C charter funds, awarding Sherwood Montessori $5,604,476 and directing the remaining $1,897,718 toward Blue Oak Charter School’s renovation project after a 3–2 roll-call vote.
The decision followed hours of presentations and public comment. District staff outlined the charter-project scoring rubric and the pool of money available for larger capital projects. Sherwood’s application described a roughly $12.8 million project to create a stand‑alone campus on a portion of the Chapman site; Sherwood asked the district for $5.6 million to complete that scope. Blue Oak proposed a larger, roughly $22 million plan and sought $15 million, but staff and board members raised gaps in its secured funding.
Blue Oak representatives said they had about $2.3 million on hand, had applied for a potential 50% Prop 2 match from the state and had a lender letter saying a loan might be obtainable. Blue Oak’s board member Tricia O’Fare told the board her school has paid $76,600 a year in rent and lacks a permanent campus, arguing urgency and the rising cost of construction made timely funding important.
Several charter leaders and staff expressed frustration at what they called unclear communications about earlier allocations to INSPIRE, which reduced the available pot for later applicants. A charter representative said, “It was a surprise to me tonight to find out…that INSPIRE had been given funds out of this piece,” and described their disappointment at learning the money was no longer available as expected.
Board members debated fairness and feasibility. Some members argued the district should prioritize moving Blue Oak out of rented space; others said Sherwood’s project had more complete site planning and immediate benefits for students at Chapman. President Landau framed the choices as difficult tradeoffs among student and facility needs.
The motion that passed—moved and seconded during the board discussion—awarded Sherwood the full $5,604,476 it requested and allocated the remaining balance to Blue Oak to support its next submission. Olsen, Konkin and Hayes voted in favor; Landau and Robinson opposed.
After the vote the board asked district staff to stay in close communication with Blue Oak about whether the reduced allocation could be used toward a downsized, feasible project. Staff reiterated that Blue Oak’s eligibility for some matching state funds depends on a CDE site-approval process that can take up to a year.
What happens next: Blue Oak representatives said they could produce revised financing and scaled plans in weeks and requested the board consider an earlier review if possible; staff said the next formal round for charter applications is scheduled for Dec. 30, 2025. The board directed staff to coordinate with both charter schools and return with further details as needed.
