Vallejo City School District Recommends Closure of Lincoln Elementary

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Community members express their opinions on proposed school closures during a Vallejo School District meeting.

News Summary

The Vallejo City Unified School District’s 7-11 Committee has proposed closing Lincoln Elementary as part of a wider consolidation plan affecting several schools in the district. This decision, made after community input and discussions, has raised concerns about the impact on local students and families. The committee has identified Lincoln as the priority for closure due to low enrollment numbers. Community support for keeping some schools open has prompted further evaluation of these recommendations as the district grapples with declining enrollment and financial challenges.

Vallejo – The Vallejo City Unified School District’s 7-11 Committee has recommended the closure of Lincoln Elementary School as part of a plan to consolidate and close several schools within the district. This decision follows a third committee meeting held earlier in the week, which included a legally mandated public hearing attended by approximately 20 community members who voiced their opinions.

In addition to Lincoln Elementary, the committee has proposed the potential closure or consolidation of six other schools: Steffan Manor, Pennycook, Federal Terrace Elementary, John Finney Education Complex, Cooper Elementary, and Highland Elementary. Lincoln has been identified as the top priority for closure, largely due to its projected enrollment of only 96 students for the upcoming school year, making it the smallest school on the list.

During the public comments segment of the meeting, Principal Sue Kelly and Expanded Learning Coordinator Diane Flowers defended Lincoln Elementary, emphasizing the school’s pivotal role in a low-income area. They noted that the school not only serves a vital function in the community but also boasts a successful literacy program that has shown substantial improvements in student performance. Closing Lincoln, they argued, would have detrimental effects on student attendance and could remove a crucial support system for children who rely on the school for encouragement and hope.

The committee has also recommended that if Lincoln Elementary is closed, the school’s successful literacy program should be relocated to another facility. The potential relocation of programs from John Finney has been suggested, along with a consolidation of Steffan Manor students into Pennycook. Other schools on the closure list—Federal Terrace, John Finney, Cooper, and Highland—have been categorized as “surplus,” which could allow the district to lease, sell, or repurpose these properties in the future.

Community support for keeping Cooper and Federal Terrace open has been strong, leading some committee members to re-evaluate their recommendations after public comments. A follow-up meeting will be held on August 11, where the committee will further discuss final recommendations. Participation from affected community members, particularly from Lincoln Elementary, is encouraged as this issue continues to develop.

Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent Rubén Aurelio clarified that while recommendations are being made, the final decisions will not be made until December. He emphasized that the recommendations will guide future discussions regarding the school closures. The district faces ongoing challenges with declining student enrollment, which has fallen from about 18,000 students in 2004 to roughly 9,656 last year.

As part of their strategy for financial stability, district officials are aiming to close three additional schools. They have identified Lincoln, Pennycook, and Cooper as priorities due to their declining enrollment figures, with projected savings of $300,000, $600,000, and $450,000 annually, respectively. The district is under pressure to implement budget cuts to maintain fiscal solvency while also improving services and attracting new students.

As the district’s situation evolves, the community continues to voice its concerns about the impact of school closures on children and education in Vallejo. The upcoming meetings provide an opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to engage in the conversation and advocate for their schools.