Soquel Union Elementary begins studying cost savings from closing a school to tackle budget deficit, declining enrollment

Facing declining enrollment and a projected budget deficit, Soquel Union Elementary School District is beginning to explore the prospect of saving money by possibly closing one of its three elementary schools.

The district’s governing board is set to discuss the idea of closing a school, which could save roughly $609,034 a year, at its Wednesday night meeting, but will not be voting on whether to move forward with any school closures.  

Soquel Union Elementary School District Superintendent Scott Turnbull told Lookout the discussion is in the “very early” stages and is “exploratory.” He emphasized that the school board hasn’t identified any specific school or ordered the district staff to start closing a school – a process that typically takes about two years. 

“Which school, if any, could be closed has never been mentioned and would not be predetermined,” he wrote via email. “Should our board choose to pursue school consolidation in the future, it will be a thorough process involving our community.”  

The school board asked the district to explore what the potential cost savings would be if it were to close a school following a presentation on its budget challenges at its previous meeting, Sept. 17. Closing a school is one of the options the district discussed broadly to save money, as well as merging the school district with another small, neighboring school district in the county like Live Oak School District – an idea that community members have heard tossed around for years. Live Oak School District staff and families raised the idea unofficially during meetings in winter and spring of 2024, when district officials proposed a range of layoffs to balance its deficit.  

Live Oak has also endured years of enrollment decline and more severe budget crises. Its board recently decided to not pursue school closures in light of potential new housing planned for neighborhoods in the district that could bring new students to its schools, and a range of financial uncertainties. 

Soquel Union Elementary’s roughly $600,000 in savings represents seven positions that could be eliminated if a school were to close: a principal, office manager, administrative specialist, counselor, library specialist, custodial day and custodial night, according to the agenda. 

“It should be noted that these are the best projections we can make at this time, and a deeper discussion would be necessary on certain positions and whether the entire [position] would be eliminated or not,” a staff report from the agenda for Wednesday night’s meeting reads. 

Since the 2014-15 school year, the district’s enrollment has dropped by about 27% – from 2,054 students to 1,503 across its three elementary schools and one middle school. Over those 10 years, Soquel Union lost 551 students, and is projected to lose 83 more within the next three years. The district is also addressing a $1.9 million operating budget deficit this year, primarily through not filling open positions. 

Despite the superintendent’s reassurances, some teachers and parents say they’re concerned that this discussion represents the start of closing a school – and specifically Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, because it’s the smallest and most remotely located of the district’s three schools. The school is situated in the hills behind Chaminade Resort & Spa, while the two other elementary schools are located near Soquel Village and the middle school is along Monterey Avenue in Capitola. 

Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School has the lowest population at about 204 students. The next-largest school, Soquel Elementary, has 355 students, while Main Street Elementary has 389 and New Brighton Middle School has 611. 

Parent Mary Maleta-Wright told Lookout she’s very concerned about the district’s discussion and fears that it means officials will close the school where she’s sent four of her kids for the past 12 years. Her youngest is still attending Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary. 

“It’s like the beacon, the center of our neighborhood. It has such a strong community feel,” she said. “That’s something that should be protected.” 

Maleta-Wright said she planned to attend Wednesday night’s meeting to speak in support of keeping the school open, in the event the district moves forward with closing a school. 

D-R. Martin, co-president of the Soquel school district teachers union, said while Wednesday’s meeting is only a discussion, she understands that Santa Cruz Gardens community members are concerned because the school historically has been mentioned most often for closure. 

Meeting details

Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Attend in person: Sandra Wallace Board Room, 620 Monterey Ave., Capitola
Join virtually: Link here

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