Pajaro Valley Unified School District is getting closer to deciding which schools to close, but the timeline is slipping. Lookout Santa Cruz reports that the district has lost 20% of its students over the past decade, falling from 18,300 to 14,638.
Who is deciding
A 23-member Sustainable Schools Advisory committee of teachers, parents, business owners, landowners and administrators is studying each of the district's 33 schools. Lookout says it has met at least 17 times since April and has about nine more meetings scheduled through Jan. 20.
Board president Carol Turley said trustees expect recommendations at the board's Dec. 16 meeting. Committee member Mads Realmuto asked for more time, saying the group still lacks information on alternative uses for school properties. TPG Online Daily reports that district consultant Bill McGuire said in September that a proposal could go to the board in January.
What is known so far
No specific school has been selected and the board has not approved a closure plan, TPG says. Any changes are expected to begin in the 2027-28 school year. A district study projects enrollment falling from about 15,690 in 2025 to 12,604 in 2032.
The district has not said how much closures would save. A spokesperson told Lookout there is no set savings figure because the committee has not recommended how many schools to consolidate. McGuire said savings would more likely come from administrative and support positions than from teachers.