News Summary
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District has decided to close Flowery Elementary School due to budget shortfalls and declining enrollment. The board’s vote, which passed 4-1, has sparked significant community discussion, especially concerning the impact on families and school programs. Flowery Elementary, despite having the highest enrollment among the district’s K-5 schools, has been facing capacity issues. The closure is part of a broader trend affecting multiple schools in the district as financial challenges continue. Community leaders have called for more time to assess alternatives before proceeding.
Sonoma – The Sonoma Valley Unified School District board of trustees voted 4-1 to close Flowery Elementary School at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. This decision, which has generated considerable community discussion, marks the latest effort by the district to address severe budget shortfalls and declining enrollment numbers.
Board President Catarina Landry, along with trustees David Bell, Anne Ching, and Jason Lehman, supported the closure. Only trustee Gerardo Guzman opposed the measure, indicating concerns regarding the decision-making process and the level of community input prior to the vote.
This closure will be the third in the district as a response to ongoing economic challenges and dwindling student populations. Initially, the district had implemented a consolidation plan in 2022 to cope with these issues. Previously, Dunbar Elementary School was closed at the end of the 2022-23 school year, followed by Adele Harrison Middle School, which is set to close after the 2024-25 academic year.
Flowery Elementary serves as the only K-5 school within the district that maintains a waitlist, boasting the highest enrollment with 363 students. However, it has the lowest physical capacity at 440 students, highlighting the necessity for potential facility upgrades. Concerned community members, including leadership from La Luz Center, have urged the board to postpone the closure until a fair equity assessment can be conducted.
The district’s K-5 schools collectively operate at 62.7% capacity, with expectations of continued enrollment declines. Data reveals that since 1999, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District has experienced a significant 39.4% drop in K-12 enrollment, decreasing from 5,076 students to approximately 3,078 students as recorded in April 2025.
Financially, the district is projected to face a deficit of $2.98 million for the 2024-25 school year, with an additional anticipated shortfall of $1 million the following year. As part of its cost-saving measures, the board also voted to eliminate 40 classified employee positions and 14 certificated positions, which is expected to save the district around $2.91 million.
Guzman voiced his concerns that more time was needed for comprehensive discussions on alternatives before arriving at a closure decision of this magnitude. The proposed closure has drawn public opposition primarily focused on the impacts this will have on families and the cultural identity of the community.
In light of the proposed changes, the district will also consider options for relocating Flowery’s dual immersion program, with discussions surrounding potential placements at El Verano Elementary School, Sassarini Elementary School, or introducing a model that would separate students into grades TK-2 and 3-5.
Adhering to the stipulations set forth by the California Environmental Quality Act, the district must develop a transition plan and update the elementary school boundaries accordingly before finalizing the closure. The arrival of a new superintendent may also influence the timing and process surrounding school closures and the relocation of educational programs.
As the situation develops, the community remains vigilant regarding the implications of the closure on their children and the broader educational landscape in Sonoma Valley.
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Sonoma Valley School District 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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