The Berryessa Union School District (BUSD) is recommending to the Board of Trustees (Board) a plan for six (6) million dollars of reductions.  One of the recommendations was consolidating or closing 2 elementary schools and 1 middle school.  Consolidation would only account for 33% (2 million dollars) cost savings of total shortfall. There has been no strong communication by the district on how they plan to make up the other 67% (4 million dollars!) of the deficit.

We encourage all - parents, educators, residents - anyone who believes in preserving local educational institutions for our children’s future – to sign this petition. Let us stand together against consolidation discussions until it is clear this is the only option AND/OR the district communicates plans to cover the other 67% part of the deficit, before uprooting children and communities.

MAJOR IMPLICATIONS

As deeply concerned members of the Berryessa community and representatives of the Parent Teacher Association and Home and School Club of the13 BUSD schools, we jointly oppose plans to vote on school consolidation recommendations by the Board on November 12, 2024.   We understand the financial challenges, however the Board must carefully consider the profound and lasting impacts that closing any school would have on students, families, staff, and the broader community. The projected $2M savings based on consolidation beginning 2025-2026 might actually be lower considering the realized costs – raising questions as to whether consolidation is the only feasible option to address budget challenges. 

The district administration has provided the School Consolidation Advisory Committee with a specific directive and narrow information without considering the human costs to the students or community.  School consolidation involves more than simply merging buildings. It leads to significant social costs, disrupting educational progress and opportunities while dismantling vital community ties to our neighborhoods. The impacts of closure and consolidation are far reaching, not only affecting current students but also future generations who deserve access to local quality education, including:

• Lasting challenges to already trauma-impacted students and students from historically marginalized communities.  When students are forced to attend new schools, the trauma of displacement for students who already experience the trauma of missing an entire year of in-person instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic—can affect student attendance and performance. Consolidation and closure disproportionately affects low-income families, families of color, and families with children who are served on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans. 
• Disrupting special education programs. Closure would negatively affect students and families in special education programs, posing significant logistical and financial problems associated with transitioning to a new school. It is well documented that students with disabilities thrive with consistency, predictability, and highly trained staff who can meet their needs. Special education programs are well-established and housed in facilities equipped with specialized tools, accommodations, infrastructure, and spaces, along with specially trained staff.
• Negative impacts on student academics and relationships. Displaced students often experience lower academic performance, and find it difficult to integrate into new communities due to disrupted relationships with peers and staff. Challenges with social relationships only increase Social Emotional Learning (SEL) needs for students, which we are already struggling to support.  A school closure will result in larger elementary and middle schools and classes, both of which are associated with lower student performance, teacher job satisfaction, and weaker school-family partnerships.   We can most certainly expect behavioral, health, emotional, and academic regression.

CALL TO ACTION

Rather than disrupt the lives of over 6,000 students, the District and Board should do their due diligence to ensure our children’s well-being is a priority over budget cuts and administrative convenience.  We ask the Board to pause on consolidation proposals and decisions until we are given answers to the following questions: 

1. Is closing schools the only viable option to addressing the deficit after trying all other cost cutting and revenue generating measures?  Was there a task force and town hall discussions focused on saving our schools versus closing them?
2. Is closing schools worth losing additional students to private, parochial, or charter schools and disrupting thriving communities by dispersing staff, students, and high performing communities of learners?  
3. Has the district taken measures to gather data on how many families will move or take their children out of the district if consolidation happens to account for actual cost savings and needs?
4. What steps will  the Board take to understand all the special programs, processes, and unique cultures of each school site, and to have genuine and meaningful dialogue with the school community before making a decision?  What criteria is the Board using to make final decisions on which schools to close?
5. How is the Board holding accountable the District Superintendent, who is responsible for managing the budget, ensuring that sound financial decisions have been made and there is no misdirection of funds?
6. How will the District handle the school reassignment process?  There is no current communication on proposed plans for reassignment and redrawing the district lines, the risk analysis, and the financial impact of a sudden influx of families into one neighboring school (increase in traffic, car accidents, pollution, longer commutes for teachers and students which can increase tardiness and absenteeism, etc.)
7. What are the plans for the closed schools as empty school buildings not only cost money to maintain but can become a magnet for unsavory and illegal activities?
8. How will transportation equity be addressed?  Parents, especially from lower-income families without reliable transportation, face challenges in getting to their children's schools. This curtails their opportunities to volunteer in classrooms or attend after-school programs, parent-teacher conferences, and school events.