District Enters Second Phase of School Closure and Consolidation

VALLEJO, Calif. -- At its April 16 study session, the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) Board of Education opened discussion on Phase 2 of the District’s school closure and consolidation plan. Based on the Board’s guidance, District staff were directed to: 

• Convene a new 7‑11 Committee to evaluate any campuses that might be designated as surplus;

• Compile a comprehensive list of potential school closures for inclusion in an Equity Impact Analysis (EIA); and

• Launch the EIA to assess how closures affect students, families, and communities district‑wide.

Phase two underscores the District’s pledge to provide high‑quality instruction while strengthening its fiscal position amid declining enrollment and fewer resources.

This work follows the decision to close Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy and Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy after the 2024‑25 school year, and to relocate Vallejo Charter School to the Mare Island campus in 2025‑26. In addition, the Board recently approved $12.8 million in budget reductions and $7.4 million in staffing reductions for 2025‑26 to address ongoing financial challenges. 

Further, the Board committed to identifying $16.5 million combined reduction or revenue enhancements for the 2026-27 school year.

7-11 Committee

The 7-11 committee will play a crucial role in this process. It is named after the requirement that it has between seven and eleven members. The committee evaluates the district's real property assets, including the potential closure and consolidation of specific school sites. This evaluation will focus on schools identified based on criteria such as enrollment numbers, proximity to other schools, and facility conditions.

Key responsibilities of the 7-11 committee include:

• Reviewing School Enrollment Data: Assessing current and projected enrollment figures to identify surplus school sites.
• Engaging the Community: Ensuring that the broader community's perspectives are heard and considered in decision-making.
• Recommending Actions: Making informed recommendations to the VCUSD Board of Education on the best use of the district's real property assets, including possible closures, consolidations, and repurposing of facilities.

A call for applications will be shared on our website in the coming weeks. 

List of Schools Shared for EIA Report

The Board directed staff to include the following campuses in the EIA: Cooper, Federal Terrace, Highland, Lincoln, Pennycook, and Steffan Manor Elementary Schools; Jesse Bethel and Vallejo High Schools; the John Finney Education Complex; and the Vallejo Adult School at Al Berenguer Educational Center. Being named in the EIA does not mean a school is targeted for closure; it simply indicates that each site could be affected by potential closures or consolidations and therefore must be evaluated.

California Assembly Bill 1912 requires school districts in financial distress to conduct an equity impact analysis when considering school closures or consolidations to guard against discrimination and ensure community input.

The EIA, completed by an independent contractor, will assess how a proposed closure or consolidation might disproportionately affect different student groups (e.g., racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and disability status). 

“The process of school closures is difficult, as we know,” VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said. “However, we must keep our entire district’s best interests in mind. By consolidating resources and prioritizing key programs, we will continue to offer a robust, forward-looking education that meets the needs of our community.”

Over recent years, enrollment has declined, and financial resources have become increasingly stretched. A proactive approach now prevents more significant impacts later. Through thoughtful consolidation, the following will benefit and improve:

• Students will benefit from improved learning environments, including magnet or specialized programs.
• Educators and staff will benefit from enhanced professional opportunities and resource support.
• Families will see improved facilities and a district prepared for future demographic shifts.

Stakeholder engagement remains central to the District’s strategy. The Board encourages all parents, guardians, staff, and community members to stay informed by visiting our closure and consolidation website. Comments and questions are welcome on the District website, which provides an ongoing forum for feedback and updates.

The VCUSD Board of Education has committed to making school closure and consolidation decisions by December 2025 to comply with Board commitments and budgetary mandates.