Closure and Consolidation

VCUSD has seen a 21% enrollment decline since 2018, with projections of further decreases over the next nine years. This trend, driven by factors like housing costs, smaller family sizes, and increased competition, has left the district operating more schools than needed. To address this, VCUSD’s 7-11 Committee is exploring school consolidation as a means to create a more efficient, sustainable system that better serves students and the community.

VCUSD’s funding is directly impacted by California’s attendance-based finance system, with fewer students leading to reduced revenue. By consolidating schools, the district can potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars in unrestricted funds annually and repurpose surplus properties. These savings will enable VCUSD to focus resources on enhancing facilities, technology, and student support services, ensuring a stronger financial foundation and improved learning environments across the district.

VCUSD’s school consolidation plan aims to refocus resources on fewer schools, enabling expanded programs in areas like STEM, arts, and career pathways. Larger schools offer greater flexibility in staffing, reduced reliance on multi-grade classes, and increased teacher collaboration, all of which improve student learning. Additionally, surplus properties from consolidations could be repurposed as community assets, such as after-school programs or healthcare centers, benefiting the broader VCUSD community.