Vallejo, California

The Vallejo City Unified School District is facing the possibility of additional school closures due to a combination of declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and budget constraints. A recent committee report suggests that as many as seven schools could be closed, with recommendations affecting institutions such as Lincoln Elementary and Pennycook Elementary.

The report from the committee of ten community members is scheduled to be presented to the school board on August 20, and a final decision on the proposed closures is anticipated by December. If the closures are enacted, impacted students will be relocated to different campuses at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Superintendent Ruben Aurelio has indicated that while the committee’s recommendations suggest closing multiple schools, actual closures are expected to be between one to three schools rather than the full seven. The financial implications of school closures are significant, as the district’s funding is primarily based on average daily attendance, which currently stands at 89%. This attendance level has contributed to substantial financial losses.

Enrollment Decline

Over the years, the Vallejo City Unified School District has experienced a steep drop in enrollment, plummeting from approximately 18,000 students in 2004 to just 9,656 students last year. This ongoing decline has raised concerns about the sustainability of current school operations.

Committee’s Recommendations

The committee’s report ranked schools by priority for closure, with particular considerations for equity impacts that will be further analyzed in an additional report due in September. Notably, Lincoln Elementary, serving a high number of Black students, has been flagged for closure despite its successful literacy program.

Previous school closures have already reduced the number of operational schools in the district to 18. While the committee emphasizes closures based on geographical factors, schools like Cooper, Federal Terrace, and Highland Elementary have been identified as community assets that warrant preservation.

Financial Challenges

In addition to the potential school closures, the Vallejo City Unified School District is grappling with a projected $15.5 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year. This issue compounds a wider financial struggle, as the board of education is also facing a projected $36 million structural deficit over the next two years due to declining student attendance and funding.

Recent School Closures

In a related decision, the district has voted to close the Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy and Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy by the end of the 2024-25 school year, with plans to relocate the Vallejo Charter School to the Mare Island campus. The board has also unanimously approved budget reductions totaling $12.8 million, which will include significant staffing cuts.

Future Plans

As the district navigates these challenges, transition plans for the students, families, and staff affected by potential closures will be developed and disseminated in the coming days. The district is committed to managing this difficult process as the educational landscape continues to shift.

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