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1. What were your impressions of the discussion about consolidation at last night’s board meeting? Why did you choose to not attend the meeting?
I made the motion in closed session to accept the mediation proposal regarding the VMTA contract. I believe the board is making the best of a difficult situation, and last night’s discussion highlighted the complexities surrounding school consolidation, particularly with regard to the middle schools. While I don’t fully agree with consolidating at Altimira, I understand the necessity for the board to act given the circumstances we face. For the study session portion of the meeting, I felt it was appropriate for the five members who will ultimately vote on the resolution next month to have the opportunity to deliberate as a group, as they will bear responsibility for the decision and its consequences.
2. It seems that the board is ready to approve closing Adele Harrison beginning in the 2025-26 school year and consolidating its students at Altimira. What are your thoughts about this?
Closing Adele Harrison and consolidating its students at Altimira is not the outcome I would consider ideal, but it is a necessary step given the challenges the District faces. The District must address the situation as it is, not as it might be wished to be, and this decision represents a pragmatic response to urgent financial pressures and the difficulties of managing too many sites. Maintaining an excessive number of campuses limits the District’s ability to implement effective reforms and operate efficiently from an administrative perspective. While not an easy decision, it reflects the need to prioritize sustainability and the long-term interests of the schools and students.
3. Approximately how much money will the district save annually by consolidating the two schools at Altimira?
Closing a middle school offers significant financial savings, likely two to three times the savings of closing an elementary school. In 2022, when this matter was last considered, the estimated savings from consolidating two middle schools into one was $2.3 million annually. Given inflation and other cost increases since then, that figure is probably higher today.
4. As I understand, the earthquake retrofit at Alimira would be done in the summers of 2025 and 2026. Is that correct?
I would distinguish between a tentative plan and what may actually occur on the ground. The District hopes to complete the necessary geotechnical retrofits for earthquake safety during the summers, likely in 2025 and 2026, to minimize disruption. However, by reopening the RFQ process, the District is moving farther from, rather than closer to, a concrete plan. As a result, the idea that work will proceed during the summers of 2025 and 2026 should be considered aspirational at this stage.
5. What is the estimated cost and how can the district pay for it?
I expect the work will ultimately cost significantly more than the current estimates of $4 to $9 million. The District will need to consider various funding options to address these expenses. Fortunately, the District’s strong credit rating provides access to a range of potential solutions that can be pursued to meet the financial requirements.
6. Are any other improvements needed at Altimira?
Certainly, improvements are needed at Altimira, as it is a campus designed for a different era and requires updates to better serve the needs of students and staff. That said, the immediate priority is completing the earthquake safety retrofits to ensure the campus is secure and prepared for future use.
7. The board initially indicated it probably would not consolidate a middle school until the 2026-27 school year. Why was this the case?
Initially, the board planned for the consolidation to take place during the 2026-27 school year to allow more time for planning and preparation. However, due to financial pressures and administrative challenges, the timeline was accelerated to the 2025-26 school year to address these concerns more promptly.
8. It seems that the district will need to move quickly in finding a company to do the work at Altamira and be sure that all plans are in place. Is that correct?
The District will have to follow well established procedures. Unfortunately, nothing seems to go quickly with school district construction in California.
9. Once the board gives its expected approval to consolidation at Altimira, this, too, will need to begin promptly, correct?
Yes, prompt action will be essential if the board approves the consolidation. This includes not only physical preparations at Altimira but also logistical planning to ensure a smooth transition for students and staff.
10. Are you concerned about the District needing to manage these two major changes simultaneously?
No, the construction process is well understood, and I believe little progress will be made on that front over the next six to nine months, during which time the majority of the consolidation work will be completed. Additionally, it is difficult to assess how construction will impact school operations until the consolidation work is finalized. Intensive planning for construction will likely begin in September or October of 2025. I would emphasize that the board is making the best of a challenging situation. While concerns about managing these changes effectively are valid, the board must address them to ensure financial stability and improve educational outcomes.
11. How would the district attempt to make the transition to Altimira as easily as possible for students and families?
Clear communication with students and families, including providing detailed plans and timelines, is essential. Focusing administrative efforts on fewer sites allows SVUSD to better support everyone involved. Additionally, involving parents and teachers in the planning process can help address concerns and facilitate a smoother transition.
12. When will the board need to make a decision on closing an elementary school in 2026-27? Do you expect the board to create a timeline for this at its Dec. 13 meeting?
The board will need to make a decision soon to ensure adequate time for planning for the 2026-27 school year. I anticipate that a timeline may be established at the Dec. 13 meeting. Forming a second, focused school consolidation committee with a clear mandate to make a recommendation within a defined timeframe—perhaps four to six months—would be a prudent and effective approach.
13. What is your reaction to the District's contract with VMTA being mutually ratified? Is the final contract any different than the tentative contract that VMTA approved? If so, how?
The most recent discussions between Dennis Houseman and Superintendent Chien, conducted exclusively with the state-appointed mediator and without attorneys or the CTA representative present, allowed the focus to remain on local issues rather than being driven by process or statewide politics. This collaborative approach emphasized shared challenges and practical solutions, resulting in a proposal that reflects the financial realities facing the District while addressing key union concerns. Direct communication helped make the negotiation process more solution-oriented, leading to a proposal that demonstrates a mutual commitment to meeting the needs of both the District and its teachers. The proposal from the mediation session now needs to be reduced to writing, reviewed, and ratified by both VMTA and the Board. Importantly, the proposal differs significantly from what VMTA previously reviewed, particularly in sections affecting teacher compensation, which is higher under this agreement.
14. It seems that with the ratification of the contract and a plan likely to be approved for school consolidation, the district has more of a clear plan to move forward. This must be a relief. What are your thoughts?
I believe the District currently has a "plan for a plan," with a great deal of work remaining before December 13. That date will likely mark the starting point for intensive efforts over the following nine months, as school consolidation becomes the central focus of the District office. At the same time, SVUSD will likely need to initiate a second school consolidation committee process, specifically focused on the elementary level, while also developing a comprehensive retrofit plan for Altimira. This represents a significant undertaking for the District.
15. Would you like to say anything else?
No, thanks.