Vallejo School Board Votes to Close Three Elementary Schools

UPDATE: In a decisive move, the Vallejo City Unified School District board voted 5-0 on the night of September 27, 2023, to permanently close Lincoln, Pennycook, and Highland Elementary Schools. This resolution marks a significant step in the district’s ongoing “rightsizing” plan, set to take effect at the start of the upcoming school year.

Emotions ran high as the board announced the closures inside the packed Hogan Middle School Auditorium, where parents, teachers, and community members gathered to witness this historic decision. While some expressed relief that their schools were spared, others were visibly distraught.

“I kind of had a feeling that we would probably have to close, and it’s heartbreaking,” said Cindy Murray, a paraeducator at Pennycook for 27 years. “For those whose families attended these schools for generations, this is a devastating loss.”

District Superintendent Rueben Aurelio emphasized the importance of announcing these closures as early as possible, stating, “This isn’t our first round of closures and consolidations, and we learned from our mistakes.”

The decision comes after months of intense discussions and the launch of a 7-11 committee alongside an Equity Impact Analysis (EIA) report in April. This analysis scrutinized seven schools, assessing factors like operating costs, site capacities, and demographics. The results pinpointed Lincoln, Pennycook, and Highland as the schools to close, with the board citing the necessity of these actions to maintain long-term stability in the district.

In a striking contrast, Cooper Elementary was saved from closure, bringing a mix of relief and sorrow to the community. Board President John Fox acknowledged the weight of the decisions, stating, “No board member takes these decisions lightly. We carefully examined years of data and listened to our community.”

The implications of these closures are profound, with many fearing the impact on local communities. Longtime educator Lori Tackmire voiced her concerns, saying, “Tonight, lives in this room will be impacted. Jobs will be lost, schools will be closed, and communities will be decimated.”

In addition to the school closures, the board also approved a staggering $32 million in budget reductions, which includes $22 million in staffing cuts. These financial measures are designed to stabilize the district’s budget amidst ongoing challenges.

As parents, students, and teachers digest this news, the emotional toll is palpable. “Tomorrow, there’s going to be some very sad faces,” Murray lamented, capturing the sentiment of many affected by this tough decision.

Looking ahead, the district will begin implementing these closures and budget reductions, raising urgent questions about the future of education in Vallejo. Community members and stakeholders will need to come together to navigate this significant transition, as the impact of these decisions reverberates throughout the district and beyond.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the Vallejo community grapples with the reality of these closures.