Why Consolidation & Reconfiguration?

Over the past decade, the ABC Unified School District has been facing a challenge shared by many California school districts: declining enrollment. In 2015–2016, more than 20,800 students filled our classrooms. By February 2025, that number had dropped to 17,501 - a loss of over 3,300 students. Looking ahead, projections show enrollment could fall to just over 15,500 students by 2029, representing a 26% decline.

 

This trend affects our schools unevenly. Today, 7 of our 19 elementary schools and 2 of our 5 middle schools serve 400 or fewer students. The total overall decline could potentially be higher, should the District be unable to retain the 2,707 students coming from outside the District.

 

Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, the Board of Education formed the School Facilities Capacities & Declining Enrollment Ad Hoc Committee in May 2022. For a year, the committee studied the challenges of declining enrollment and the efficient use of school facilities. While the committee was not able to provide a final report, it kept the Board updated on its progress.

 

To continue this work, the Board approved a contract in November 2024 with SchoolWorks, an educational consulting firm. Their charge: examine enrollment trends, school facility use, and make recommendations about how the District could move forward.

 

In May 2025, SchoolWorks presented its findings to the Board, which led to a series of public hearings and discussions throughout the summer. Families, staff, and community members raised concerns about issues ranging from walking to school, program continuity for IB and Dual Language Immersion students, and the impact on Whitney’s middle school transition, to costs, revenue, and neighborhood identity.

 

The Board first considered consolidation and reconfiguration on June 17, 2025, but did not approve the plan. The topic returned at subsequent meetings on August 5 and August 19. On September 2, 2025, the Board held a Special Study Session on declining enrollment and facility use. After thoughtful discussion and community input, a Board member requested that the action item be brought back for reconsideration. The Board passed consolidation and reconfiguration of schools at its September 16, 2025, meeting.