News Summary

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board has approved the closure of Flowery Elementary School by the end of the 2025-26 academic year due to budget shortfalls and declining enrollment. The decision, reflecting ongoing financial struggles, received a 4-1 vote. With a current student population of 363, the closure raises concerns among community advocates about its impact on families and local culture. The district, facing projected deficits, is considering relocating educational programs as part of a broader consolidation plan.

Sonoma

The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board of trustees has voted to close Flowery Elementary School at the end of the 2025-26 academic year, largely due to persistent budget shortfalls and ongoing declining enrollment. The decision, which was approved by a vote of 4-1, reflects significant financial challenges facing the district and is part of a broader consolidation effort initiated in 2022.

Board President Catarina Landry, along with board members David Bell, Anne Ching, and Jason Lehman, supported the closure. Only Gerardo Guzman stood in opposition, expressing concerns about the sufficiency of community input and voicing a desire for more time to explore alternatives.

Impact of Closure on the Community

Flowery Elementary, currently serving 363 students, has been recognized for its diversity and is the only K-5 school within the district with a waitlist, which makes its closure especially contentious. Community advocates, including executives from La Luz Center, have urged the board to delay the closure until a comprehensive equity assessment is conducted to evaluate its potential impact on families and the local culture.

This upcoming closure would mark the third school closure in the district, following the closure of Dunbar Elementary School at the end of the 2022-23 school year and Adele Harrison Middle School at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year. The decision is part of a strategy to address the significant decrease in student enrollment, which has dropped by 39.4% over the past two decades—from 5,076 students in 1999 to just 3,078 students in April 2025.

Financial Context and Enrollment Projections

Financially, the district is facing harsh realities with a projected deficit of $2.98 million for the 2024-25 school year, followed by a further shortfall of $1 million in the subsequent year. In response to these financial challenges, a resolution to eliminate 40 classified positions and 14 certificated positions was also passed, which is expected to save the district approximately $2.91 million.

Within the K-5 schools of the district, the current capacity utilization sits at only 62.7%, indicating ongoing struggles with school attendance and enrollment. Flowery Elementary, despite having the highest enrollment numbers among the district’s elementary schools, still lags behind in terms of infrastructure capacity, holding only 440 students in total.

Future Plans for Educational Programs

As part of the school closure discussion, the board is exploring options for relocating Flowery’s dual immersion program. Potential new locations under consideration include El Verano Elementary School and Sassarini Elementary School. There is also the possibility of adopting a TK-2/3-5 educational model to better serve students moving forward.

In implementing these changes, the district must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, which requires the development of a transition plan and adjustments to elementary school boundaries in response to the closures.

Looking Ahead

The arrival of a new superintendent may influence the timeline for finalizing the school closure and relocation of educational programs. While the decision to close Flowery Elementary School has been made, the ensuing discussions around impact assessments and community needs will shape the future of education in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District.

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Flowery Elementary School to Close Amid Budget Pressures

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Sonoma Valley School Board Votes to Close Flowery Elementary