Consensus appears to be growing among the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees to close Adele Harrison Middle School, although the board ultimately determined at its meeting Thursday that more information and time is needed to make any final decisions.

“Board members appear to be nearing agreement to close Adele Harrison in 2026-2027 and consolidate its students at Altimira,” said Trustee John Kelly.

Trustees also discussed which of the four elementary schools would be closed if the district is to consolidate into one high school, one middle school and three elementary schools — which has been the main model considered — but again, no final decisions have been made.

Consolidation is being considered due to the steadily declining enrollment in the district and the pressing need to achieve balanced budgets and adequate reserve funds.

After spending 4 hours and 30 minutes on the issue on Thursday, trustees will reconvene on Monday, November 18 to continue their consolidation discussion. The public meeting begins at 4 p.m. at the district offices, 17850 Railroad Ave. in Sonoma, and airs on sonomatv.org.

“I think there is great value in the board having another study session to be able to continue to discuss configuration ideas and possibilities with the staff there,” said Celeste Winders, board president. “This is one of the biggest decisions a board can make, and it takes a lot of discussion and process for the board to look at all options.”

Many school district staff and community members — including members of the Valley of the Moon Teachers Association — attended the Nov. 14 board meeting and expressed support for giving the board more time to make the decision.

Jason Lehman, who will represent Area 3 on the board starting in December — replacing Kelly, who is not running for re-election — will be invited to attend the Nov. 18 study session because he will be eligible to vote when the board could potentially take up action on consolidation at the meeting on Friday 13 December.

Harold Freeman, an expert on California public school consolidation, said the Dec. 13 meeting will be the board’s last chance to vote on consolidation that would allow enough time for it to happen in the 2025-26 school year.

School board members indicated they are still considering several consolidation options to close an elementary school by the fall of the 2025-26 school year, but two of the scenarios most seriously considered are closing either Sassarini or Prestwood. Support was also expressed to close Flowery and move its dual immersion program to Prestwood.

“I’m still open to considering all of those options,” Winders said. “However, I shared at the meeting that moving the dual immersion program is not something I see value in because it would cause a larger footprint in the impact on students.

“It would directly affect three elementary schools instead of two. As I said at the meeting, there is absolutely no way to make this decision without impact, but we can make a decision that reduces the impact as much as possible. That’s what I’m looking at in my decision-making process.”

Kelly said he is concerned that the district is considering closing some of its most successful programs and websites.

“I think it’s a mistake,” he said. “Prestwood has historically been the elementary school for the city of Sonoma, with Sassarini originally serving as an expansion to accommodate a larger student population. While the city’s current student population may not justify keeping both schools, closing Sassarini may be a more sustainable approach back to Prestwood.

“Similarly, Flowery, once considered a struggling school, has been revitalized with its dual immersion program, which has flourished for several years. Its location, in the heart of the Hispanic community, is an important part of the program’s success. Moving it elsewhere may undermine its progress and disrupt a well-established society.”

Kelly said concerns about the state of Flowery’s facilities reflect historical funding disparities rather than the value of the program or community involvement.

Kelly said if the board closes Prestwood, it’s important to ensure educational services continue at the site.

“For example, the district should consider partnering with Sonoma Charter School to explore whether they could offer programs at Prestwood and maintain their role as a center for community education,” he said. “Overall, the community is seeking less change than is currently being considered, and the district should respect that sentiment in its decision-making process.”