Part Two: Open Dialogue: Sharing the Plan and Listening to Families

VALLEJO, Calif. - Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) is dedicated to an open and inclusive process regarding school closures and consolidations. The second part of our series, "Navigating Change: Reimagining the Future of Vallejo City Unified School District," centers on how we engage with the community throughout these changes. We’ll highlight the meetings, forums, and outreach efforts to ensure every voice is heard. We understand that these decisions are deeply emotional, and we want to provide families with clear and honest communication about the process.

Governing Board Actions

Our Governing Board has taken a series of steps to guide the closure and consolidation review with a strong focus on equity and community involvement:

• April 19, 2023: Approved an agreement with Total School Solutions to conduct an equity impact analysis in alignment with AB 1912.
• January 30, 2024: Held a study session to evaluate potential closures and consolidations.
• May 22, 2024: Passed Resolution 4080 to adopt metrics for preparing an updated equity impact analysis.
• September 18, 2024: Approved Resolution 4096 appointed members to the Closure and Facilities Advisory (7-11) Committee and designated properties for review.
• October 16, 2024: Approved Resolution 5005, designating an additional property for review.
• October 29, 2024: 7-11 Committee Workshop and Study Session.

The 7-11 Committee

The 7-11 committee, named after the requirement that it have between seven and eleven members, evaluated the district's real property assets, including the potential closure and consolidation of specific school sites. The evaluation focused on schools identified based on criteria such as enrollment numbers, proximity to other schools, and facility conditions.

According to the equity impact analysis, the team looked at Mare Island Health and Fitness Academy, Loma Vista Environmental Sciences Academy, Vallejo Charter School, Steffan Manor Elementary and later added Pennycook Elementary.

Following four meetings in fall 2024, the committee will present its recommendations to the Board on November 20, 2024. It's important to note that the Board, while not bound by the committee's recommendations, will thoroughly consider them and other factors before making a decision. 

Community Communication and Engagement

We recognize the importance of keeping our community well-informed and providing avenues for feedback. To ensure clarity and accessibility, VCUSD has utilized multiple platforms to share updates, gather input, and invite participation:

• VCUSD Website: Information, updates, and relevant documentation are regularly posted on our closure and consolidation webpage (need to add link when it goes live). You can also find notes and agendas from the Governing Board and 7-11 Committee meetings.
• Straight From the Ship: Our “Straight From the Ship” portal responds to anonymous community-submitted questions, including closure, consolidation, and other topics. 
• Direct Communications: Principals have contacted families directly via email and/or ParentSquare, ensuring that important information is shared with those most impacted. Information about the closures and consolidations has also been shared via the district newsletter, the “VCUSD Insider.”
• Social Media: VCUSD’s social media channels have been updated with reminders to reach a broader audience. You can find VCUSD on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor. 
• Community Representation: The community was actively involved in the 7-11 Committee by serving on the team or adding public comments during the meetings, contributing their voices and perspectives to the decision-making process. 
• Media/Press: Local media outlets have been informed to help ensure that updates reach the wider community.

VCUSD values the input of all stakeholders as we work together to make informed, equitable decisions. As we move through the process, we will update the closure and consolidation page on our website (add link). Once decisions are made, we will engage the community to make the transition as easy as possible.