School Consolidation Information
Since 2022, our district has been engaged in a thoughtful process of school consolidation and closure to address declining enrollment and budgetary considerations. We are committed to transparent communication throughout this journey, providing you with up-to-date information on these efforts.
- On December 13, 2024, the Board of Trustees voted to close Adele Harrison Middle School at the end of the 2024-25 school year. During the summer our district was hard at work preparing the Altimira campus to ensure a warm and welcoming environment for all middle school students. We focused on organizing classrooms and planning orientation activities to create a smooth and supportive start to the school year for everyone.
With the new school year now underway, our district is proud to report that the Altimira campus successfully welcomed all middle school students. We are committed to ensuring a supportive and engaging learning environment, and we continue to focus on academic and social-emotional growth for all students.
December 13, 2024 Regular Board Meeting
-
The Board of Trustees continued its discussions on elementary school consolidation at a study session on September 20, 2025. Trustees directed staff to develop a transition plan, including logistics and cost analysis, for the possible closure of Prestwood Elementary at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Staff will present this information at the next regularly scheduled board meeting on September 11, 2025, with a special meeting scheduled for September 23,2025 to consider possible action.
August 20, 2025 Board Study Session
Altimira Upgrades & Updates
We're pleased to announce that all summer construction projects at the middle school are now complete! Our campus has been fully prepared to welcome all students for the new school year, with several key improvements now ready for use. The old wall ball walls have been removed and the area has been completely refreshed. The blacktop has also received a much-needed makeover with a full repaint, ensuring a safe and updated space for everyone. Additionally, our portables have been given a complete refresh, inside and out. We repainted them all, replaced the flooring, and reroofed the ones that needed it. We also purchased new storage cabinets to provide our teachers with more storage space. We're excited for students to enjoy these new and improved facilities!
Thoughtful Integration of Adele Harrison and Altimira Middle Schools
As we bring our two middle school communities together, the District and the staff at Altimira Middle School are committed to creating a smooth, welcoming, and student-centered transition. Every step is being taken to ensure that students, families, and staff from Adele Harrison feel seen, supported, and part of the Altimira community from the very beginning.
Under the leadership of Mr. Snow, Altimira has hosted a vareity of events and activites designed to build relatiohships and foster a sense of connection between students from both campuses.
These efforts include:
- A Joint School Dance: Students from Adele Harrison and Altimira came together for a fun, inclusive evening that allowed them to meet, laugh, and make new friends outside the classroom.
- Coordinated Field Trips: 6th and 7th graders from both schools participated in shared field trip experiences designed to build bonds, encourage collaboration, and create shared memories before the school year begins.
- Parent Coffee Hours and Campus Tours: Adele Harrison families were invited to attend special coffee hours at Altimira to meet school leaders, ask questions, and get to know the new campus. Personalized tours were also offered for both students and families to become familiar with the school and staff.
- Student Listening Circles: Several listening circles were held to give students from both schools a space to share their hopes, questions, and ideas about the transition. These circles helped foster understanding and gave students a voice in the process.
These activities are just a few examples of how our staff and community are coming together with care, intention, and empathy. We know that transitions can be challenging, and we are committed to making this one a positive, inclusive experience for all.
Altimira Campus Beautification
Thank You, Volunteers! Community Volunteers Help Beautify Altimira Middle School.
A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to help beautify the Altimira Middle School campus this summer!
With the generous support of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) and Sonoma Valley Rotary Clubs, community members worked tirelessly to get the campus and school garden ready for the new school year. Their hard work has ensured that the vibrant Farm to Table garden is prepared to welcome a new group of students, who will now have the chance to experience hands-on learning in a beautiful and well-cared-for space. We are so grateful for this amazing community effort that makes our schools a better place for everyone.
Elementary School Consolidation Update
The District has been actively working since 2022 to address declining enrollment and budgetary challenges through school consolidation. This process has included careful consideration of public input and recommendations from the School Consolidation Committee.
December 13, 2024: The Board announced a plan to select an elementary school for closure by May 8, 2025, with the closure taking effect at the end of the 2025-26 school year. December 13, 2024 Regular Board Meeting
March 13, 2025 & April 22, 2025: The Board continued discussions and reviewed public input at a regular meeting and a study session. March 13, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
May 8, 2025: The Board voted to close Flowery Elementary School at the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. At this meeting, a motion was also made to relocate Flowery's Dual Immersion program to a new campus under one of the following scenarios
-
Relocate to El Verano Elementary School.
-
Relocate to Sassarini Elementary School.
-
Relocate to another campus and re-configure the remaining two elementary schools into a TK-2 and 3-5 split model.
This closure and consolidation was subject to and conditioned upon the following three requirements being met and approved by the Board:
- Revised Attendance Boundaries: The District's elementary school attendance boundaries must be revised in a manner consistent with the Education Code and Board Policy.
-
Transition Plan: A transition plan must be prepared to outline the District’s community outreach to assist students and families with the transition.
-
CEQA Consideration: A review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) must be completed to analyze the environmental impact of the school closure and boundary adjustment.
June 17, 2025: After reviewing new information related to the conditions and requirements of the May 8 resolution, the Board of Trustees voted to rescind the previously approved resolution that named Flowery Elementary as the school to close. June 17, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
September 20: During a study session, the Board of Trustees continued its discussions on elementary school consolidation. Trustees directed staff to develop a transition plan for the possible closure of Prestwood Elementary at the end of the 2025-26 school year, including a full analysis of logistics and costs.
August 20, 2025 Study Session Board Meeting
Next Steps:
Staff will present the transition plan, including logistics and costs for the possible closure of Prestwood Elementary, at the next regular board meeting on September 11, 2025.
The board has scheduled a special meeting for September 23, 2025, to consider possible action on the matter.
Committee Updates
7-11 Advisory Committee Formed
To determine the best use of our closed campus, the District Board of Trustees approved the formation of a 7-11 Advisory Committee at its regular meeting on April 10th. This committee has already held its first meeting and will be reconvening soon. Dates, times, and agendas for future committee meetings will be posted on our website for public viewing. We encourage community members to stay informed as this important process moves forward.
School Consolidation Committee
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District's School Consolidation Committee was formed with the vital task of addressing declining enrollment and optimizing our school resources. This dedicated committee has thoroughly analyzed data and considered numerous factors to develop comprehensive findings and recommendations for potential school closures and consolidations, all aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of our district.