Santa Rosa board approves restructuring to keep Elsie Allen open, adopts phased 7–12 plan

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education voted to approve on Feb. 21 a district plan to restructure its secondary schools that preserves Elsie Allen High School and phases other campus changes over two years, a measure trustees and staff said is intended to help the district avert deeper fiscal distress.

The motion, moved by Trustee Casten and seconded by Trustee De la Torre, passed in a roll‑call vote with six yes and one no. Student board member Zuniga and trustees Casten, De la Torre, Kirby, Manieri and President McNally voted yes; Trustee Jenkins voted no. The plan directs a two‑year phased reorganization, priority transfer rules for affected students in year one, and additional strategic planning and community engagement before year‑two implementation.

Board members and district staff said the proposal is driven by an urgent fiscal picture and aims to limit layoffs and school closures while building programs to attract and retain students. Dr. Dan Carter of the Sonoma County Office of Education, which is working with the district, told trustees that SCO “has state responsibility to make sure that you're fiscally solvent, 3 years out.” Staff also reminded the board that the budget submitted in December assumed roughly $25 million in cuts and that the district must demonstrate a credible pathway back to balanced multi‑year projections.

Under the approved motion, Elsie Allen (referred to in staff materials as LC Allen in some…