Consensus is growing on closing Adele Harrison Middle School in Sonoma, but it’s not a done deal yet

Consensus appears to be growing among the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees to close Adele Harrison Middle School, although the board ultimately decided at its meeting Thursday that more information and time is needed to make final decisions.

“It appears board members are nearing a consensus on closing Adele Harrison in 2026-2027 and consolidating students at Altimira,” said Trustee John Kelly.

Trustees also discussed which of the four elementary schools should be closed if the district were to merge into one middle school, one middle school and three elementary schools — which is the main model under consideration — but again no final decisions have been made.

Consolidation is being considered due to the district’s steadily declining enrollment and the urgent need to achieve balanced budgets and adequate reserve funds.

After spending 4 hours and 30 minutes on the issue on Thursday, the trustees will meet again on Monday, November 18 to continue their consolidation discussion. That public meeting will begin at the district office, 17850 Railroad Ave., at 4 p.m. in Sonoma, and airs on sonomatv.org.

“I think it is of great value that the board hold another study session to continue discussing configuration ideas and options with the staff there,” said Celeste Winders, chair of the board. “This is one of the biggest decisions a board can make, and it will take many discussions and processes before the board can consider every option.”

Many school district employees and community members — including members of the Valley of the Moon Teachers Association — attended the Nov. 14 board meeting and expressed support for giving the board more time to make a decision .

Jason Lehman, who will represent Area 3 on the board beginning in December — replacing Kelly, who did not run for re-election — will be invited to participate in the Nov. 18 study session because he will be a voting member when the board may could participate in action on consolidation during the meeting of Friday, December 13.

Harold Freeman, an expert on California public school consolidation, said the Dec. 13 meeting will be the board’s last opportunity to vote on consolidation that would provide enough time to do so during the 2025-2026 school year. to be realised.

School board members indicated they are still considering multiple consolidation options to close an elementary school in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year, but two of the most serious scenarios involve closing Sassarini or Prestwood. Support was also expressed for closing Flowery and moving the dual immersion program to Prestwood.

“I am still open to considering all these options,” Winders said. “However, I mentioned at the meeting that moving the dual immersion program is not something I see value in as it would have a greater impact on the impact on students.

“It would directly impact three primary schools instead of two. As I stated at the meeting, there is absolutely no way to make this decision without impact, but we can make a decision that reduces the impact as much as possible. That’s what I look at in my decision-making process.”

Kelly said he is concerned the district is considering closing some of its most successful programs and locations.

“I think it’s a mistake,” he said. “Prestwood has historically been the elementary school for the city of Sonoma, with Sassarini originally serving as an expansion to accommodate a larger student population. While the city’s current student numbers may not justify keeping both schools, moving Sassarini back to Prestwood could be a more feasible approach.

“Similarly, Flowery, once considered a struggling school, has been revitalized with its dual-immersion program, which has thrived for years. The location, in the heart of the Spanish-speaking community, is integral to the program’s success. If we were to move it elsewhere it could undermine its progress and disrupt an established community.”

Kelly said concerns about the condition of Flowery’s facilities are a reflection of historical funding inequities rather than the value of the program or the community’s commitment.

Kelly said if the board closes Prestwood, it is essential to ensure educational services continue at the site.

“For example, the district should consider partnering with Sonoma Charter School to explore offering programs at Prestwood while maintaining its role as a center for community education,” he said. “Overall, the community is seeking less change than what is currently being considered, and the district must respect that sentiment in its decision-making process.”