News Summary
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board has decided to close Flowery Elementary School at the end of the 2025-26 academic year due to declining enrollment and budgetary constraints. The vote of 4-1 reflects ongoing financial challenges, and the school closure marks the third such decision in recent years. Community opposition has been voiced, emphasizing the school’s importance to its diverse student population. The board plans to adjust school boundaries and explore options for existing programs as they navigate these significant changes in the educational landscape.
Sonoma, California – The Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees has made the decision to close Flowery Elementary School at the end of the 2025-26 academic year, following a vote of 4-1 during its regular meeting. The closure arises as a response to the district’s ongoing declining enrollment and severe budgetary issues. This closure marks the third such action taken by the district in recent years aimed at addressing similar financial challenges.
Board President Catarina Landry, along with trustees David Bell, Anne Ching, and Jason Lehman, supported the closure, while trustee Gerardo Guzman opposed the measure, citing insufficient community input and the need for a thorough examination of the potential impacts of the closure.
Flowery Elementary, which currently enrolls 363 students, is notable for having the highest enrollment among the district’s elementary schools; however, it also possesses the lowest capacity of 440 students. The facility has been in need of significant physical upgrades to meet modern educational standards, further complicating the financial landscape of the district.
The board’s resolution includes instructions for staff to explore options for relocating Flowery’s dual immersion program and reorganizing grades among the remaining schools, with potential relocation destinations including El Verano Elementary School and Sassarini Elementary School.
Currently, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District has 1,254 K-5 students enrolled, with a total capacity of 1,999. This results in a current utilization rate of 62.7%. Post-closure, the utilization rate of the remaining schools is projected to rise to 80.4%, as they will serve 1,559 K-5 students.
The decision to close Flowery Elementary has been met with considerable opposition from community members, with advocates specifically pointing out the school’s diverse student population and its critical role within the Springs community. Representatives from the La Luz Center have suggested postponing the closure until an equity assessment is conducted to analyze the potential adverse effects on vulnerable families.
The district’s history indicates a troubling trend regarding enrollment. Data shows a significant decline of 39.4% in K-12 student enrollment from 1999 to 2025, with projections suggesting further declines in the years ahead. Financial projections for the district anticipate a deficit of approximately $2.98 million for the 2024-25 school year, which points to enduring financial difficulties for the district.
In tandem with the school closure, the board also voted to eliminate 40 classified employee positions and 14 certificated positions in an effort to save approximately $2.91 million. These financial constraints have necessitated comprehensive measures to mitigate budget shortfalls.
Despite the closure proceeding, the district will need to develop a transition plan, adjust school boundaries accordingly, and ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The future of Flowery Elementary School is still under review, pending these upcoming steps, as the district navigates significant changes to its educational landscape.
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Additional Resources
- Press Democrat: Sonoma Valley Elementary School Closure
- Sonoma News: Flowery Elementary School Closure
- Sonoma Sun: Trustees Reevaluate School Closures
- Sonoma County Gazette: Bilingual School Closure Vote
- Sonoma News: Overview of Sonoma School Closures
- Wikipedia: School Closure
- Google Search: Sonoma Valley School Closure
- Google Scholar: Sonoma Valley School Closure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sonoma Valley
- Google News: Sonoma Valley School Closure
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