District proposes closing Washington Unified Virtual Academy after enrollment decline; board to consider action April 10

Washington Unified officials told the school board on March 27 that sustained low enrollment at the Washington Unified Virtual Academy (WUVA) has created a growing general‑fund cost and that staff will recommend closing the K–8 virtual program at the end of the 2024–25 school year unless enrollment and finances improve.

Assistant Superintendent Audrey Streeker and Chief Business Officer Monique Stovall described WUVA's history and current model. "WUVA opened in 2021 to provide families a lasting remote option," Streeker said. The program peaked in its first year at roughly 280 students and has since declined to 62 students. Stovall told the board that operating costs for 2024–25 are projected at about $870,000 and will require a general fund contribution; staff estimated that contribution at roughly $130,000 for the current year and projected it could rise over time.

Staff said they reorganized the program and used one‑time LCAP funds to add a paraeducator to provide synchronous assistance, which improved outcomes, but that per‑student costs remain high at current enrollment levels. Stovall said staff recommended the board "consider closing WUVA at the end of this school year" and presented options for students (return to home school, inter‑district permits, or assistance finding other placements) and staff (placement in other vacancies across the district). The presentation noted that closing would affect two certificated teachers, one principal and two classified staff.

Parents and staff who spoke to the board urged keeping WUVA open. Several families said the program is their children's stable learning environment and recommended alternate models, such as embedding the WUVA model within an existing school or maintaining a smaller staffing footprint. WUVA principal Amanda Deibelbis told the board that many families have used the program for medical, social‑emotional or safety reasons, and that a middle‑school wait list currently exists; staff said the middle‑school wait list contains four students but that interest fluctuates.

Trustees asked staff to return with a narrower set of options and cost details. Trustee Wong asked whether a two‑teacher model could be fiscally solvent; Stovall and Streeker said that, at current enrollment, a model with two teachers would reduce the district contribution and that staff would provide a concrete, costed proposal.

Stovall recommended an April 10 action item to decide whether to close, to allow the district to plan student placements and staffing. If the board moves to close the program, staff said human resources would seek placement for every affected team member in existing district vacancies.

No formal board action was taken March 27; the item was presented as information and is scheduled for a possible board action on April 10.