Administrators discuss options for school consolidation

“It’s a lot of information and a very big decision for trustees to make,” Winders said.

During the session, Winders expressed a preference for consolidating Altimira and Adele Harrison high schools in Altimira, in part because it is closer to where most students live.

Trustee John Kelly said he believes consolidating the schools at Adele Harrison is the best option for several reasons.

“Adele does not require the expensive geotechnical modifications that Altimira would require,” he said. “By consolidating at Adele, a newer facility, we can centralize our educational services at the Broadway site, adjacent to Prestwood Elementary School and our middle school.”

He said this would reduce the district’s footprint, leading to greater management efficiencies and cost savings.

“Additionally, having high schools closer to the middle school allows our community officer, Ed Esponda (of the Sonoma Police Department), to more effectively address student discipline issues. Consolidating at Adele also offers the opportunity to keep sixth graders in their elementary school, a preference I have heard expressed by many families.

“Finally, this plan allows us to meet our obligations on the remaining bond funds without diverting resources from previously promised projects.”

Trustee David Bell — emphasizing that he was speaking only for himself and not for the board at large — said he also supports consolidating the schools at Adele Harrison.

“The Altimira campus is our largest facility after high school, with a capacity for more than 800 students,” he said after the study session. “That’s more capacity than we need, plus many millions of dollars in upgrades are needed, both seismic and cosmetic. Adele, on the other hand, doesn’t need many upgrades, if any.”

Bell supports closing Sassarini or Prestwood if elementary schools are to be consolidated.

Kelly said if an elementary school must close, he advocates for community-based consolidation with educational services offered at each location through partnerships with the Sonoma and Woodland Star charter schools.

“We have seen success with this model in Dunbar, where the relocation of Woodland Star Charter School has led to increased enrollment and continued community involvement,” he said.

Kelly said Sonoma Charter School is willing to relocate to a location where district services may be discontinued, allowing educational services to continue at that location.

“In specific terms, I believe that Prestwood and Flowery primary schools should not be disrupted, and the committee’s report was clear that El Verano primary school should also not be considered for closure,” he said. “This means that Sassarini Elementary School is the school that I believe will be considered.”

He said that based on this approach, the Sassarini site could remain an active educational facility through a partnership with Sonoma Charter School.

“This means that rather than closing the school completely, we would transition the campus to an alternative model that remains in use for educational services, minimizing disruption to the community,” Kelly said.

Landry said she is not yet ready to recommend which schools should be closed.

The Consolidation Committee also studied the possibility of creating new classroom configurations, such as primary and secondary schools.

Bell said the district should consider making all elementary schools K-6 instead of the current K-5 and/or having a K-8 dual immersion school in a different location than the current locations: Flowery Elementary School and Adele Harrison Middle School. .

“We asked the district for input on the specific issue of K-6 versus K-5,” Bell said. “I would like to know the pros and cons.”

Kelly said he thinks adopting a K-6 model has “potential.”

“Many parents have indicated that sixth graders would benefit from staying in elementary school for another year before moving on to high school,” he said. “If this approach aligns with family preferences and is feasible for our district’s resources, I support exploring the K-6 configuration.

“It could address certain developmental and disciplinary issues, allowing students to have a smoother transition as they progress through their education.”

Kelly said he does not support the creation of elementary schools because the model does not fit the district’s current educational structure and research shows it may not be the best solution.

He said the consolidation process has been challenging for everyone involved.

“However, I believe this is an opportunity to improve our educational programs, increase choices for families, preserve resources and pave a path for our district’s future, Kelly said. “Our goal is to become a more unified district – not just in administrative terms, but as a cohesive community.”

Bell noted that the school district has approximately $11 million in capital improvement funds and encouraged the board to use the money wisely by focusing on both current and future needs.

“When I heard the public comments at the October 29 meeting, I’m concerned that people don’t fully understand how dire our budget situation is, and unfortunately the only way we can even begin to solve the problem is through schools consolidate,” he said. said.

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at [email protected].