Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the K 12 Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ABC Unified updates Cerritos council on declining enrollment; board declines consolidation plan
Summary
ABC Unified School District President Ernie Nishi briefed the Cerritos City Council on long-running enrollment declines, recent consultant work from SchoolWorks and the board's narrow vote not to adopt a consolidation/reconfiguration plan that consultants estimated could save roughly $3.4 million when fully implemented.
Ernie Nishi, president of the ABC Unified School District board, told the Cerritos City Council on July 28 that the district has faced an 11‑year decline in enrollment and has pursued multiple studies and strategies to respond.
Nishi said the district commissioned Davis Demographics and later a $22,000 engagement with consultant SchoolWorks. SchoolWorks recommended consolidating several elementary schools and reconfiguring grade spans in some schools and estimated savings of about $3.4 million once fully implemented. After a public hearing and multiple meetings, the board voted 4‑3 in June not to adopt the SchoolWorks consolidation and reconfiguration plan; Nishi said he — as board president — must follow the majority vote.
Why it matters: Declining enrollment reduces state funding tied to average daily attendance and creates uneven program offerings across schools. Nishi described combination classes, fewer elective offerings in small schools, and the difficulty of providing robust middle‑school offerings when one campus serves only about 290 students.
Nishi said the district is pursuing grants, expanded full‑day Head Start and robust transitional‑kindergarten programs, dual‑language classes and partnerships to boost enrollment. He emphasized the district’s safety investments funded by bond BB and listed past facility improvements, including a new science center at Whitney and theater upgrades at other sites.
Nishi also raised long‑term liabilities: a change in law extending the statute of limitations for certain abuse claims has exposed the district to multimillion‑dollar liabilities; he said the district has paid $6 million in claims to date and faces potentially larger payouts.
Cerritos council members asked whether city zoning or housing programs could help the district by encouraging two‑ and three‑bedroom units that support families with school‑age children. City Manager Robert Lopez said rezoning actions from the newly adopted housing element — including an industrial‑area overlay near Valley View and the 5 Freeway — will be brought forward in coming months with potential for significant new housing capacity.
Nishi said the board could revisit the SchoolWorks plan in the future but, for now, staff will continue pursuing grants, facility‑sharing and other steps to reduce operating strain and preserve classroom programs.
