News Summary
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District has voted to close Flowery Elementary School due to budget shortfalls and declining student enrollment. The decision, made by a 4-1 vote, marks the third school closure in the district. While Flowery currently serves 363 students, its capacity issues and financial challenges led to concerns from parents and community advocates. The board plans to reconsider closure and evaluate options for relocating programs amidst significant budgetary constraints.
Sonoma – The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board of trustees has voted 4-1 to close Flowery Elementary School at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. The decision, made during a recent board meeting, was supported by board members President Catarina Landry, David Bell, Anne Ching, and Jason Lehman, while Gerardo Guzman cast the sole dissenting vote. This closure marks the third school in the district to be shuttered, following the recent closures of Dunbar Elementary School in 2022-23 and Adele Harrison Middle School planned for the end of the 2024-25 year.
The move to close Flowery Elementary is primarily driven by budget shortfalls and a significant decline in student enrollment. In recent years, the district has struggled financially, initiating a consolidation plan in 2022 aimed at addressing these challenges. Enrollment statistics reveal that the district’s K-5 schools are currently operating at only 62.7% of their capacity, with projections suggesting that student numbers will continue to decline.
Flowery Elementary School currently serves 363 students, making it the most populated elementary school in the district, yet it also possesses the lowest capacity of 440 students. Parents and community advocates have raised concerns over the proposed closure, emphasizing the need for more thorough input before executing such a significant decision. Organizations like La Luz Center have prompted the board to consider delaying the closure until an equity assessment can be completed, highlighting the potential impact on the cultural identity of the community.
Despite having the highest enrollment in the district, Flowery Elementary is faced with the reality of needing physical upgrades to accommodate its students better. Furthermore, the board plans to evaluate options for relocating Flowery’s popular dual immersion program, with potential new locations including El Verano Elementary School and Sassarini Elementary School. There is also consideration for a transition to a TK-2/3-5 educational model.
In tandem with the school closure decision, the district’s financial outlook remains grim. Current projections for the upcoming 2024-25 school year show a looming deficit of $2.98 million, with an anticipated additional shortfall of $1 million the following year. In response to these budgetary issues, the board has voted to eliminate 40 classified employee positions and 14 certificated positions, which is expected to save the district approximately $2.91 million in costs.
Public opposition to the closure of Flowery Elementary has been notable, with community members voicing concerns over the potential disruption to families and the loss of a vital educational resource. Some parents argue that given Flowery’s status as the only K-5 school with a waitlist, closure would particularly harm students who rely on the unique programs offered at the school. The board’s decision must adhere to California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which requires a transition plan to be developed, alongside updates to elementary school boundaries as part of the closure process.
Moving forward, the arrival of a new superintendent in the district may influence the final timeline regarding the closure of Flowery Elementary and the relocation of other educational programs. The ongoing discussions around school closures and consolidations reflect broader trends in the district, which has experienced a significant 39.4% drop in K-12 enrollment since 1999, falling from 5,076 students to just 3,078 as of April 2025.
As the community grapples with the implications of the school closure, the board will continue to seek solutions to its financial challenges while striving to minimize the impact on students and their families.
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Sonoma Valley School Board Votes to Close Flowery Elementary
Additional Resources
- Sonoma News: Flowery Elementary School Closure
- Sonoma Sun: School Board Should Delay Closure Decision
- Sonoma County Gazette: Board Votes to Close Bilingual School
- Press Democrat: Sonoma Valley Trustees Consolidation
- Kron4: Sonoma County School District Closures
- Wikipedia: California Environmental Quality Act
- Google Search: Sonoma Valley Unified School District
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