Community pushes back as Santa Rosa trustees consider school closures to close budget gap

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Hundreds of residents packed the Santa Rosa High School gym on Feb. 12 as the Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education heard more than two hours of public comment calling on trustees to halt or delay proposals to close or consolidate schools to address a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. The board announced a study session for Feb. 18 and said it would take a vote on plans the following day, Feb. 19.

The question of which schools to close — and whether to pursue proposals that would convert middle schools into 7–12 campuses or create “super” elementary campuses — dominated public remarks. Speakers from every level of the district urged trustees to protect neighborhood schools and preserve specialized programs that parents and students say cannot be moved. Students, teachers and parents repeatedly warned that shutting a high school or moving programs would displace students, shrink program access and drive families out of the district.

Why it matters: closing a campus would reassign students and staff, disrupt programs such as ArtQuest and IB, and reshape feeder patterns and transportation. Trustees said they face a legal and fiscal timeline to produce savings but repeatedly told the audience they want community input before finalizing a plan.

Discuss…