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Board approves name "Valley Vista Public Waldorf" for new charter at Valley Vista campus
Summary
After a community-driven process with multiple nights of input, the board voted to name the new Waldorf charter located at Valley Vista "Valley Vista Public Waldorf." The naming committee included Valley Vista and Live Oak representatives and district staff.
The Petaluma City Schools Board approved the name "Valley Vista Public Waldorf" for the new Waldorf charter school to be located on the Valley Vista campus following a community process led by site and charter representatives.
Jamie Bushman, principal at Valley Vista, and Linda Delgado, executive director of Live Oak Charter School, described an inclusive process that included multiple public meetings, English learner tours, staff meetings and a final naming committee that narrowed the field and reached consensus. Jamie said the committee had expanded outreach ("from 14 tours we're now up to 16; 45 ParentSquare messages and counting") and had 446 applications considered for the new school. Linda and committee facilitators described nights of community discussion that narrowed the finalists to a single consensus choice.
A public commenter suggested "Valley Oak" drawing on regional references, but trustees noted a nearby school already used the name Valley Oaks. Trustees praised the committee's effort to preserve Valley Vista's legacy while identifying the Waldorf approach as public and community-oriented.
Motion and vote: A motion to approve the name was made, seconded and approved by voice vote; no opposition was recorded.
Why it matters: The approved name reflects community input and signals the district's partnership with the Waldorf charter sponsor and Live Oak for a school that will serve future grades at the Valley Vista campus.
What happens next: With the name approved, district and charter staff will proceed with implementation and community outreach for the opening and enrollment processes.
