Ventura Unified School District Faces Possible Campus Closures

The Ventura Unified School District is considering school closures due to a significant decline in student enrollment and rising operational costs. On December 3, 2023, the district announced plans to form a committee that will evaluate which schools, if any, should be closed. The final decision will rest with the board of education, with any closures not expected to take place before the 2027-28 academic year.

District spokeswoman Marieanne Quiroz indicated that the committee’s goal is to assess whether resources can be realigned to enhance educational programs, provide varied learning opportunities, and maximize the use of each dollar spent. The formation of this committee follows a troubling trend, as the district has experienced a yearly decline of approximately 300 students, a trend that is projected to continue.

The advisory committee will consist of 20 members representing the diversity within the district, including staff, students, parents, business owners, and residents. These members will analyze each school site to recommend closures or consolidations based on current and projected enrollment figures, community demographics, maintenance needs, and financial constraints.

In a communication to the community, Superintendent Antonio Castro noted that the district had previously delayed discussions about potential school closures, hoping for a rebound in enrollment following the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the enrollment numbers have continued to dwindle, prompting the need for a reevaluation of the district’s facilities. Currently, Ventura Unified operates 28 schools, including elementary, middle, high, and alternative institutions, with a budget of approximately $255.73 million. During the 2024-2025 academic year, around 14,400 students were enrolled, reflecting a 15% decline from the approximately 17,000 students in the 2018-2019 academic year.

As part of broader cost-cutting measures, the district laid off over 100 employees, including teachers and support staff, earlier this year. The district currently employs 1,636 workers.

Challenges in maintaining enrollment are not unique to Ventura Unified. César Morales, Ventura County superintendent of schools, stated that districts across the county are grappling with similar issues due to rising living costs, declining birth rates, and increased immigration enforcement. He emphasized that while the decision to close a school is difficult, it may be necessary to ensure financial stability and maintain high-quality education for students. Morales also mentioned that attendance has dropped at several schools following immigration enforcement activities nearby.

In Ojai, another district facing similar challenges, the board of education approved a plan in January 2023 to close two schools to save costs, with San Antonio Elementary closing last year.

Concerns regarding the potential closures have been voiced by community members. Melissa Sartoris, president of Mound Elementary’s parent-teacher organization, described potential closures as catastrophic for students’ academic outcomes. She noted that while Mound is unlikely to close due to its high enrollment, the closure of other campuses would likely increase class sizes throughout the district.

Sartoris expressed that funding cuts should not adversely affect students’ daily learning experiences, a sentiment echoed by many parents who worry that closures would also increase financial stress on parent-teacher organizations.

The president of the Ventura Unified Education Association, Sarah McLaughlin, expressed appreciation for the district’s efforts to include community input in this process. She noted her confidence in the board of education to make a responsible decision, emphasizing that the impact of any closures on teachers remains uncertain at this point.

The president of the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association, Carol Peek, raised concerns about classified staff, whose roles are often tied directly to specific schools rather than students. She pointed out that even after closures, the sites would still require maintenance and security, placing additional burdens on already strained staff.

Both McLaughlin and Peek are expected to serve on the advisory committee, which will begin meeting monthly in March 2024. Community members who are not part of the committee will also have opportunities to provide input throughout the process. The committee is expected to present recommendations on potential school closures at the board meeting scheduled for October 13, 2024.

This article was reported by Makena Huey, an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star. For further inquiries, she can be reached at [email protected]. The story was supported by a grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Fund to Support Local Journalism.