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1. Did you expect that the board would make a decision on consolidation at yesterday’s meeting?
I thought a decision might have been made at yesterday's meeting, but I’m not surprised it didn’t happen. The original plan was to consider this matter in December, and while we moved the timeline up to facilitate an earlier decision, it’s clear the community and the board need more time to address all the issues thoroughly. Governance in a democracy depends on meaningful discussion, and everyone should have the opportunity to engage fully in the process. Last night’s discussions brought some previously less-considered options into focus, which now require proper evaluation. The board has recognized this and is planning additional study sessions and discussions to ensure we proceed thoughtfully. Still, if the District is to follow the advice of our attorneys, my understanding is that any decision must be made at the regularly scheduled December meeting, or be delayed by another year.
2. Several board members and people speaking during public comment seemed to think that more time is needed for the board to make a decision on consolidation. What are your thoughts on this?
Both board members and the public are rightly emphasizing the importance of thorough discussion, which is at the heart of democracy. Additional conversations are necessary, as the process is narrowing in focus, much like a gardener pruning a thriving plant to direct its growth. Some options are being set aside as the board and community collectively determine the best path forward. While there appears to be a 3-2 split among trustees regarding whether to consolidate at Adele Harrison or Altimira, the prevailing sentiment is shifting toward Altimira. This may not align with my personal preference, but it is vital that trustees listen, engage, and make independent judgments based on the input and deliberations.
Even when there is disagreement, a unanimous or near-unanimous decision would signify that trustees respected and fully engaged in the process, rather than implying that everyone agrees with every aspect of the decision. This distinction is important for the community to understand. None of us want to close schools, but the reality is that some difficult decisions must be made. The focus must remain on ensuring the process is robust, inclusive, and reflects the collective effort to arrive at the best possible outcome.
3. As I understand it, the board now plans to have staff members provide, among other things, more detailed information regarding making one school both dual immersion and standard, the costs of closing and consolidating schools, and whether or not students currently in the dual immersion programs would continue with the programs if they were moved to another campus. What information would you like to see the staff members provide before board members meet again this coming Monday, Nov. 18?
The idea of making one school both dual immersion and “standard” is not practical and detracts from our immediate priorities. As another trustee noted, successful programs like the dual immersion program are not typically strengthened by merging them with another school at a different site. Two years ago, I suggested dedicating Altimira as a K-8 campus to enhance Flowery, and while current considerations about closing Prestwood and Adele might create opportunities for future homes for the dual immersion program, our immediate focus should remain on consolidation.
At this stage, the District's task is to determine which sites will cease offering educational services, not to address the relocation or merging of programs. Those decisions require robust community engagement through processes such as the 7-11 committee and should not be made unilaterally by the board. Moving programs is a significant administrative challenge, far more complex than deciding which sites to close. Our experience with the Dunbar closure and Woodland Star’s relocation demonstrated the difficulties of handling closure and program relocation simultaneously. Focusing on one step at a time is essential.
Program relocation discussions are premature and risk overcomplicating the current process. For now, the board must focus on identifying which sites will close, deferring discussions about moving programs to a later stage when we can engage stakeholders effectively and plan comprehensively.
4. Will the meeting on Monday be considered a study session, with public access in person and on Zoom? What time will it start?
The meeting on Monday is a study session, with public access both in person and via Zoom. It is currently scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at the District Office. However, there is a possibility of a closed session taking place before or after the study session, which could adjust the start time to 5 p.m. or later. At this point, the meeting remains set for 4 p.m., and the public is encouraged to attend.
5. Will the board be able to make a decision on consolidation before the next regular meeting on Friday, Dec. 13?
The board will not make a decision on consolidation before the next regular meeting on Friday, December 13. This decision must be made at a regularly scheduled meeting, and that date is the final opportunity to take timely action for the 2025-26 school year. By then, Jason Lehman, the trustee-elect, will have been sworn in and will participate in the decision-making process.
To prepare for that meeting, any resolution the board intends to present must be drafted in advance. I expect the upcoming study session on Monday to be pivotal in shaping that resolution. By the time we reach December 13, I would be surprised if the board's intentions remain unclear. The study session will likely address decisions about which elementary school to close, while discussions about Altimira and middle school consolidation appear to be moving toward consensus. Monday’s meeting will be an essential step in resolving these questions.
6. Trustees have previously stated that the board needs to make a decision by December to allow enough time for a consolidation to take place in the 2025-26 school year. Do you believe that a decision needs to be made by December?
Yes, a decision must be made by December. Our attorney, Harold Freiman, a recognized expert on public school consolidation in California, has confirmed that the December 13 meeting is the final regularly scheduled opportunity to act in time for the 2025-26 school year. I have full confidence in his expertise, and there is no practical alternative timeline.
The board appears to be coalescing around a decision regarding the schools under consideration, even if the implementation is phased over multiple years. This has been a thorough and extended process, and I am confident that the board will take the necessary action at the December 13 meeting to ensure progress.
7. Board members seem to be nearing a consensus on closing Adele Harrison in 2026-27 and consolidating its students at Altimira. Do you think this is the best idea for middle school consolidation, and why couldn’t this consolidation happen in the 2025-26 school year?
Board members do appear to be nearing a consensus on closing Adele Harrison in 2026-27 and consolidating its students at Altimira. However, I remain uncertain whether this is the best approach for middle school consolidation. One significant challenge is that Altimira requires geotechnical earthquake retrofits, identified in the Facilities Master Plan years ago, which have yet to be addressed. Staff estimate the cost of these upgrades to be between $4 and $9 million and suggest the work could be completed in one to two years, but based on my experience, such projects often take longer and cost more than anticipated. The Division of the State Architect and the complexities of school construction rarely allow for the speed we hope for.
This is why Adele Harrison should have been considered more seriously as an alternative. As a newer school, it does not require construction work prior to consolidation. While completing the upgrades at Altimira may not be strictly necessary from a structural or legal perspective, public confidence likely demands it. Moving forward without addressing these issues could undermine trust in the Board and District. This need for construction work at Altimira means middle school consolidation will likely be a protracted process.
To realize cost savings more quickly, we might have considered options like K-6 school sites and consolidating grades 7 and 8 at Adele Harrison. However, the board seems to favor Altimira, and even the school consolidation committee has stated that construction must be completed before using that site for consolidation. While this may not be the ideal solution, it represents progress. Sonoma Valley’s economic strength provides a foundation to manage the District's finances through a phased approach if necessary.
The critical step now is for the board to make a decision and begin the process. Consolidation involves significant administrative work, and the sooner we start, the sooner we can complete it. As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was yesterday; the next best time is today.
8. Regarding elementary schools, board members seem to most seriously consider 1) closing Prestwood; 2) closing Sassarini; or 3) closing Flowery and moving its dual immersion program to another campus. What are your thoughts on these three options?
The District is considering the closure of some of its most successful programs and sites, which I believe is a mistake. Prestwood has historically been the primary elementary school for the City of Sonoma, with Sassarini originally serving as an expansion to accommodate a larger student population. While the city's current student numbers may not justify maintaining both schools, folding Sassarini back into Prestwood could be a more viable approach. Similarly, Flowery, once considered a struggling school, has been revitalized by its dual immersion program, which has thrived for years. Its location, in the heart of a Spanish-speaking community, is integral to the program's success. Moving it elsewhere could undermine its progress and disrupt a well-established community.
The concerns raised about Flowery’s facilities reflect historical inequities in funding, not the value of its program or the dedication of its community. Closing a successful program like Flowery's dual immersion or displacing the Prestwood community would create instability and negatively impact the District and the broader Sonoma Valley. Prestwood is deeply tied to the identity of the City of Sonoma, and its closure would erode the community's sense of itself. Trustees should prioritize preserving and strengthening successful programs and minimizing disruption rather than making decisions based on convenience or limited District-focused criteria.
If the board were to close Prestwood, I believe it is essential to ensure that educational services continue at that site. For example, the District should consider engaging with Sonoma Charter School to explore whether they could offer programs at Prestwood, maintaining its role as a center for education in the community. Overall, the community is seeking less change than what is currently being considered, and the District should respect that sentiment in its decision-making process.
9. Do you think the board should still consider K-8 and K-6 options?
Considering K-8 and K-6 options is no longer practical. The opportunity to implement K-6 could have been viable if it had been coordinated with keeping Adele Harrison open, but the board does not seem to be moving in that direction. Our priority must now be to simplify this process into something administratively manageable.
Reducing the number of steps, sites, and changes involved increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. The focus should be on making decisions that are realistic and can be effectively implemented. At this stage, closing one elementary site and one middle school site and proceeding from there appears to be the most practical approach. Anything more complex risks overcomplicating the process and delaying necessary action.
10. It seems that contracts with the VMTA and CSEA will have a huge impact on the board’s consolidation decision. Is the board waiting on its decision to ratify the contract with VMTA and CSEA until a consolidation decision is reached?
No, the board is not delaying decisions on ratifying the contracts with VMTA or CSEA based on consolidation. The CSEA (California School Employees Association) contract is progressing as expected, and there is already a mutual understanding between the District and CSEA. Consolidation decisions have no direct impact on this contract, and the District's relationship with classified staff remains strong.
The VMTA (Valley of the Moon Teachers Association) contract is currently in mediation, governed by confidentiality provisions that the District is strictly adhering to, even as VMTA has chosen to engage publicly. In California, such confidentiality provisions often apply asymmetrically, creating some confusion for the community and challenges for the District’s negotiating team. Despite this, I am confident the District is meeting its obligations regarding transparency and public statements.
I commend Dennis Housman, co-president of VMTA, for his significant efforts toward finding common ground, and I appreciate Superintendent Jeanette Chien’s professionalism in collaborating with him. Their partnership exemplifies how teachers and administrators can work together effectively. While the VMTA contract does carry financial implications, it remains a separate matter from consolidation. Neither process is driving the other, and both are proceeding independently. I think the board is committed to resolving the VMTA contract as soon as possible while ensuring consolidation decisions are handled appropriately.
11. Would you like to say anything else?
This consolidation process has been ongoing for nearly four years, and I recognize that those just now engaging may not be familiar with its full history or the extensive data presented to the trustees. This has been a deliberate and methodical effort, rather than rushed, and it is understandable for the community to have questions about such significant matters.
Governance requires a substantial time investment, and it is unrealistic to expect community members to have attended the 200 or more hours of meetings that have shaped this process. The trustees have thoroughly reviewed all the aspects of the decision, and the framework and requirements of this effort are well understood. The District continues to involve the community through democratic discussion, and as is consistent with our representative system of government, the ultimate responsibility for these decisions will rest with the Board of Trustees. I am confident they will meet this responsibility at the meeting on Friday, December 13.