The Sequoia Elementary School gym, typically bustling with Rincon Valley students, was transformed Wednesday night into a packed forum where parents and community members shared their concerns about proposed, budget-driven cuts in the east Santa Rosa district – namely school closure and reconfiguration plans.
The Press Democrat reports Rincon Valley Union School District leaders need to identify $4.3 million in reductions by March for the 2026-27 school year and another $4.2 million for the following year to eliminate a $8.5 million shortfall.
The largest share of savings is expected to come from the closure of a school. The district could maximize its savings if the closure comes alongside grade level reconfigurations at remaining school sites to match staffing, Interim Superintendent Mike Herfurth said in his presentation Wednesday night.
Of the roughly 100 parents in attendance, many shared sharp criticism of the proposals, which would combine groups of grade levels at separate campuses after the closure of an elementary school.