VCUSD to Revisit School Closure Decisions As Part of a Commitment to Transparency

VALLEJO, Calif. —  The Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) Board of Trustees announced that it will revisit and take action again on previously approved school closure decisions at its next regularly scheduled Board meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6 p.m. This action is being taken to ensure transparency and public confidence and is not an admission of any violation of law.

This step follows receipt of a March 16 correspondence from the California School Employees Association (CSEA) raising concerns about the Board’s compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act regarding the Dec. 17, 2025, decisions involving the closures of Lincoln Elementary, Highland Elementary, and Pennycook Elementary at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The concerns relate to whether certain communications may have occurred outside of a public meeting.

VCUSD takes all concerns regarding open meeting laws seriously. While the District believes it conducted its prior actions through a robust, public process, it is taking this additional step to ensure clarity, reinforce transparency, and maintain public confidence in its decision-making.

“This action is not an admission of any violation,” VCUSD Superintendent Ruben Aurelio said. “We believe the Board made its decisions through a thorough and public process. At the same time, we recognize the importance of trust and transparency. If revisiting the vote in an open setting provides additional clarity and confidence for our community, then it is the right step to take.”

The Dec. 17 decisions followed months of public engagement, including input from a 7-11 Committee, an Equity Impact Analysis, numerous Board study sessions, and multiple community meetings and feedback opportunities.

The Brown Act allows public agencies to revisit prior actions if concerns arise. As part of this process, the Board will take formal action on April 1 to rescind prior resolutions related to specific school closures, cure and correct those actions, and re-agendize the broader school closure item for renewed discussion and a new vote in open session.

This approach ensures that officials conduct all deliberations and decisions in a fully public setting and provides the community with an additional opportunity to participate.

The April 1 Board meeting will serve as an open forum for community members to provide input and stay engaged in this process. The District will post meeting details and agenda materials on its website in accordance with standard public notice requirements.

VCUSD remains committed to transparent governance, meaningful community engagement, and decisions that support students, families, and the District's long-term stability.