From the California State Senate: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 178, authored by Senator Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) this morning to allow for the development of a much-needed elementary school near downtown Fremont to help address school overcrowding issues in the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD).

The bill expedites the transfer of undeveloped parkland at Centerville Community Park from the City of Fremont to the FUSD. The bill will also help lead to a new joint use park on the remaining portion of the property and another new park a few miles away on Dusterberry Way and Peralta Boulevard.

"A new campus is needed to relieve some of the severe overcrowding occurring in our schools," said Wieckowski. "You can only jam so many portables onto a site. Other nearby schools cannot handle the expected increase in students. This will improve the classroom experience for students. By building a joint-use park and the additional park at Dusterberry, residents will also benefit from expanded recreational opportunities in the area."