Part 1: The Road to Today: Understanding the Need for Change

VALLEJO, Calif. - As Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) faces declining enrollment and financial challenges, the community must make tough decisions about school consolidation—decisions that will shape the future of education for our students and families. To help our community navigate this complex and emotional topic, we have created a three-part series to explain how we arrived at this point, what actions have been taken, and where we go from here. We aim to be transparent and maintain open communication with our families as we work together to build a stronger VCUSD. This first story focuses on how we got here, our challenges, and what it all means for our community.

Over the past decade, Vallejo has experienced a steady decline in student enrollment. Families have moved away, there has been an increase in the number and types of schools families can send their students to, and the community's demographics have shifted, which includes fewer children, resulting in fewer students attending Vallejo City Unified School District Schools. This trend is not unique to Vallejo, as districts across California grapple with similar declines. The district's funding—largely based on enrollment and attendance—has also decreased with fewer students. Since the 2018-19 school year, VCUSD has experienced a 21 percent decline in student enrollment. A once bustling community of over 20,000 students has shrunk to under 10,000.

"As a district, we must make difficult decisions to ensure our resources are being used effectively to benefit all students," VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said. "Our priority is to create an environment that provides quality education and opportunities for every student, even if that means making significant changes to our current structure."

The district is grappling with resources being spread thinly across its 19 TK-12 schools, combined with a budget deficit of over $5 million for this fiscal year, which could balloon to over $13 million by the 2025-26 school year. Closing and consolidating schools that are, on average, operating at 46 percent capacity could create significant cost savings through economies of scale, allowing for better resource allocation, improved educational quality by combining resources, and enhanced access to specialized programming.

"We understand that school closures are a deeply emotional topic, and we do not take these decisions lightly," Aurelio added. "Our goal is to ensure that every student in Vallejo has access to robust academic programs, strong support services, and a thriving school community. Consolidation is a step toward making that vision a reality."

In addition to declining enrollment, the district has faced financial challenges tied to rising costs, aging facilities, and maintaining smaller schools that are no longer sustainable with current resources. 

“Many of our school buildings require significant repairs and upgrades, but the budget constraints make it difficult to address these needs adequately,” Aurelio shared. “The district has been operating under a tight budget for years, with tough decisions made to prioritize student services and keep schools running. However, the reality of maintaining multiple under-enrolled schools has made it increasingly difficult to provide the quality of education that every student deserves.”

Another factor contributing to this situation is the Vallejo community's broader economic challenges. Economic downturns and the high cost of living in the Bay Area have impacted local families, leading to more transiency and uncertainty for students. Fewer people are having babies, leading to smaller family sizes. These demographic changes have left the district with more schools than students, prompting a careful review of how best to utilize its facilities. For comparison, San Leandro Unified School District, which has a similar headcount, operates 13 school sites, whereas VCUSD currently maintains 19 TK-12 campuses. This instability has affected enrollment and attendance rates, further straining the district's budget.

Faced with these challenges, the district is considering school closures and consolidations to ensure that resources are used effectively and that all students have access to well-supported learning environments. The goal is to create a more sustainable structure that allows for better allocation of teachers, support staff, and funding, ultimately providing a stronger educational experience for every student in Vallejo. While these decisions are never easy, they are being made to secure a brighter future for our schools and community.

The conversations around school closures are emotional and complex. Schools are more than just buildings for many families—they are community centers where generations have learned and grown. The district is committed to involving the community in these discussions, listening to concerns, and working together to find the best path forward for Vallejo's students.

"We know that these conversations are challenging, and we deeply value the history and emotional connections our families have with their schools," Aurelio said. "Our goal is to work with the community to ensure that decisions are in our students' best interest and future opportunities. We believe that by coming together, we can create a stronger, more vibrant school system for Vallejo."