Board Brief: Oct. 15, 2025

VALLEJO, Calif. - Here are highlights from the Oct. 15 board meeting and study session, and the complete agenda packet.

Board Declines to Advance Resolution Supporting Charter School Application

The Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) Governing Board did not bring Resolution No. 5086 to a motion—a proposal that would have supported ELITE Public Schools’ application for state construction and rehabilitation funding. Without a motion, the resolution, required for ELITE’s submission to the state’s Charter School Facilities Program (CSFP), was not adopted.

In reviewing the proposal, the Board weighed financial, legal, and operational considerations, including existing lease terms and state rules regarding the number of “unhoused” or excess district students who would be served by the charter school.

ELITE Public Schools currently operates at the former Widenmann Elementary School site (100 Whitney Avenue, Vallejo, CA) under a long-term lease with VCUSD that runs through 2032, with optional extensions through 2042. However, the CSFP requires a 30-year facilities agreement—longer than ELITE’s current lease—and would require the District to hold the property in trust for the state for that duration. This arrangement would prevent VCUSD from selling, leasing, or otherwise generating revenue from the site, regardless of ELITE’s future status.

District staff reported that VCUSD has no unhoused, or excess, students in the grade levels ELITE serves, meaning the facilities would not qualify under the state’s criteria—a key condition of the CSFP. The Board also noted potential long-term legal and financial liabilities.

After a comprehensive review, the Board determined that approving the resolution was not in the District’s long-term fiscal or operational interest.

Study Session Summary

Due to a projected $32 million dollar shortfall over the next two years, as well as ongoing declining enrollment, the board is considering closing and consolidating schools.

The board held a study session to revisit the equity impact analysis (EIA) on possible school closures and consolidations, which shows how school closures or mergers could affect students, with a focus on fairness and reducing harm. Trustees reviewed 16 possible scenarios involving seven schools: Cooper, Federal Terrace, Highland, John Finney, Lincoln, Pennycook, and Steffan Manor, with the goals of improving programs, restoring fiscal health and making better use of facilities.

Staff outlined campus site capacity maps that account for classroom sizes, special education, expanded learning, libraries and wellness rooms. Trustees discussed traffic impacts, transportation, and maintaining specialized programs such as the deaf and hard of hearing program at Pennycook Elementary. If closures and consolidations are determined, adjustments to the boundary map may be needed in order to preserve special programs and student supports.

The board will make determinations at the board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Any approved changes would take effect in the 2026–27 school year, not this year. Community engagement and outreach continue with the upcoming town halls and board meetings listed below. For more information, please visit the closure and consolidation webpage.

Thank you for staying engaged with VCUSD

You can find videos of past board meetings on our YouTube channel.

Upcoming Meetings

Town Hall: School Closure and Consolidation

• When: Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 PM
• Where: Vallejo High School, Nebraska Street, Vallejo, CA
• Details: Visit the Closure and Consolidation page for FAQs and updates

VCUSD–City of Vallejo 2x2 Meeting

• When: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 4:30 PM
• Where: Vallejo City Hall, Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA

Virtual Town Hall (Spanish): School Closure and Consolidation

• When: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 6:00 PM
• Where: Zoom link available on the district calendar

Regular Governing Board Meeting

• When: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 6:00 PM
• Where: District Office, 665 Walnut Ave., Vallejo, CA