Dear SVUSD Community,

In two short weeks, we'll welcome students back onto our school campuses across the district. We're excited to share a series of improvements, some obvious at first glance, others less so but just as important.

Improved earthquake safety at Sonoma Valley Middle School

Building on the structural work completed last summer, we continue to make progress improving the seismic integrity of the Sonoma Valley Middle School (formerly Altimira) campus. While this work isn't visible, these voluntary upgrades will make the school classrooms safer in the event of an earthquake. We are also improving accessibility throughout the campus so that students, staff, families, and community members of all abilities can more easily participate in school activities. Additional work in these areas will take place in 2027.

Energy savings through solar upgrades

Our district has benefited from substantial energy savings since solar panels were installed at our schools nearly 15 years ago. As these systems have aged, their performance has declined, reducing the savings they once generated. The School Board has designated bond funds to upgrade the solar systems at all school sites to restore performance and recapture energy savings. The pre-construction work this summer is part of a broader districtwide energy modernization effort that also includes high-efficiency HVAC systems, Wi-Fi-based building automation systems, and improved interior or exterior LED lighting at five school sites.

Introducing Sonoma Valley Middle School

Our maintenance team has been hard at work on a series of beautification projects at the newly renamed Sonoma Valley Middle School (formerly Altimira), including landscaping, painting, pressure washing, mulching, new benches and picnic tables, and new trash cans around campus.

We’re also embracing the school’s name with new signage at the entrance and in key areas across campus while continuing on as the Wolves, carrying forward an important part of this campus’s tradition and spirit. In the months ahead, we’ll continue working with students and staff to strengthen the identity of Sonoma Valley Middle School in ways that honor this school’s history while reflecting who we are today and where we hope to go together.

Beautification across our schools

More broadly, we invested in beautification projects at every school site to create a welcoming, well-maintained environment for students, staff, and families. While the specific work varied by campus, it included fresh exterior paint and updated signage, repaired and repainted playground equipment and blacktop markings, pressure washing, and new landscaping along walkways and entrances. Indoors, many hallways and classrooms received fresh paint, updated bulletin boards, rewaxed floors, and deep cleaning.

Sassarini Elementary students will benefit from a new kindergarten playground, updated office flooring, and new, safer streetfront fencing. Meanwhile, Sonoma Valley High School athletes and fans will enjoy a newly watertight roof in Pfeiffer Gym. 

All of these improvements, while modest in scope, reflect our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space for learning. We're excited for students to return to campuses that look and feel refreshed. 

Dr. Jason Sutter, Superintendent

Sonoma Valley Unified School District