The Rancho Cordova City Council on Tuesday authorized staff to develop an educational program plan as the next step in evaluating a possible separation from the Folsom‑Cordova Unified School District, after staff presented focus‑group findings and a 400‑respondent scientific survey showing divided public opinion.

Why it matters: Council members and residents said local schools and program priorities are central to property values, public safety and community well‑being. If the city pursues reorganization, state and county education authorities will require a written educational program and a feasibility study as part of any petition to create a new district.

City staff led the discussion and said the outreach included four focus groups with 37 participants and a broader mixed‑mode survey of 400 adult residents in the Rancho Cordova‑area portions of Folsom‑Cordova Unified. Jessica Polsky Sanchez of EMC Research summarized methodology and results: the survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points and was fielded in early August in English and Spanish. Polsky Sanchez said residents are “optimistic about the way things are going in the Rancho Cordova area” and “87% say Rancho Cordova and Folsom are different communities.”

Survey findings presented to council showed a close initial split: 41% support dividing the district and 41% oppose. After respondents read a set of statements framed in favor of separation, support rose to 68%; after reading counterarguments, net support settled at roughly 52% in favor and 47% opposed. Staff emphasized these were attitudinal results showing how information and messaging influence opinions.

Staff and consultants framed the next steps. City consultants recommended hiring an educational professional to lead community visioning and to draft an educational program plan that the county office of education and, ultimately, the state could review as part of a petition. Staff said one element of the feasibility evaluation is a funding calculation under the state Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF); staff reported the Rancho Cordova area has a higher percentage of unduplicated pupils than the combined district, which the consultants said would produce higher per‑pupil state funding in a separate Rancho Cordova district.

Council members debated pacing and timing. Several members, including Vice Mayor Gatewood and Council Member Budge, said they supported beginning the educational‑program planning while allowing the new Folsom‑Cordova superintendent more time to act. Public commenters urged the council to examine bilingual and retention issues, special education services, and long‑term facility equity. Resident Conrad Mayer and others said community investments have lagged for years and supported action to improve local schools.

Formal action: Council gave direction to proceed with the educational program plan and continue the reorganization process toward a reorganization feasibility study and potential petition. The roll call on the motion recorded Budge, Gatewood, Sander and Mayor Pulapati as voting yes and Council Member Little voting no. The motion passed 4–1. Staff said the plan would inform a later feasibility study and any petition, which would be reviewed by the county office of education and the state.

What it does not do: The council did not approve a petition to separate. No schedule for the feasibility study, consultant contract amounts, or petition filing date was approved at the meeting; staff said those items would return to the council for future decisions.

Next steps: Staff will return with proposals for the educational program plan scope, budget and schedule and provide additional opportunities for stakeholder and broader public input before any feasibility study or petition is prepared.