Santa Rosa Trustees Confirm Some School Closures

The Santa Rosa City Schools district is facing significant community backlash over proposed school closures aimed at addressing a $20 million budget deficit. The plan originally considered closing three elementary schools, three middle schools, and potentially one high school, with Elsie Allen High School being a primary candidate. The board has decided to close Brook Hill, Albert Biella, and Steele Lane elementary schools, while postponing decisions on middle and high schools. Parents and students argue that the closures will disrupt transportation and education, especially given the ongoing recovery from COVID-19. Concerns have been raised about pitting schools against each other and the lack of clear criteria for closures. The meeting to finalize decisions was moved to a smaller venue to ensure neutrality, though it limited community access to the proceedings.