Vallejo Parents Demand Action at Urgent School Town Hall Meeting
UPDATE: Parents and educators expressed escalating concerns at a pivotal town hall meeting at Vallejo High School on November 6, 2023, regarding potential school closures and consolidations in the Vallejo City Unified School District. With an urgent focus on transportation, classroom capacities, and educational quality, this session marked the second in a series of three, as the district grapples with declining enrollment and financial difficulties.
The atmosphere was charged as attendees voiced their worries over the future of their schools. Key questions emerged: “What led the district to this crisis?” and “How will declining enrollment be addressed?” Brenda Garcia, an after-school coordinator at Cooper Elementary, passionately implored the board to consider the community’s ties to each campus before making irreversible decisions. “You need to see the school,” she emphasized. “I know you’re only looking at numbers and the finances. I do this from the heart.”
The emotional weight of the evening was palpable, especially as students like Catalina Velazquez, a fourth-grader from Steffan Manor Elementary, shared her fears. “I shouldn’t be stressing out if my school might close or if my friends might be split up,” she said, capturing the anxiety felt by many young students.
Rubén Aurelio, Superintendent of VCUSD, addressed the pressing concerns, stating that the board’s decisions will be guided by a strategic plan. “We want to ensure programming improvements while maintaining fiscal solvency,” he explained. Aurelio outlined the contributing factors to the district’s challenges, including attendance rates, security concerns, and a continuous decline in student enrollment. He cautioned, “When we’re seeing an exodus of students to neighboring districts, it essentially becomes a wealth transfer from Vallejo.”
The urgency of the situation was underscored by the community’s strong turnout from Cooper Elementary, reflecting significant local support. Aurelio acknowledged their presence, stating, “To hear about the bonds forged at Cooper is really exciting,” and noted the importance of community pride for the success of the schools.
The third town hall is scheduled for November 13, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at a location to be determined. The VCUSD board aims to finalize decisions on potential closures and consolidations during the board meeting on December 17, 2023, which could drastically impact the 2026-2027 school year.
As the community awaits further developments, the need for collective action and advocacy for the schools remains urgent. Parents and educators are encouraged to continue voicing their concerns and participating in upcoming meetings to ensure that the needs of Vallejo families are prioritized.
