School Consolidation

• January 9, 2023, Board Meeting Action Update: Click here to access
• January 19, 2023, Board Meeting Action Update: Click here to access
• February 7, 2023, Community Update about the Asset Management Advisory Committee: Click here to access
• February 8, 2023, Board Meeting Action Update: Click here to access
• February 24, 2023, Community Update about the opening of the application process to be considered to be appointed by the Board of Education onto the Asset Management Committee: Click here to access
• March 2, 2023, Board Action Update confirming the data to be reviewed by the committee and direction on the narrowing of scope of the Asset Management Committee: Click here to access 
• Mach 6, 2023, Staff update presented to schools sites that were identified to be discussed by the Asset Management Advisory Committee: Click here to access
• March 6, 2023, Letter from the Superintendent to school communities being discussed by the Asset Management Advisory Committee: Click here to access
• March 16, 2023, Community Update: Click here to access
• April 7, 2023, Board Meeting Action Update: Click here to access
• May 18 and 23, 2023, Click here to access the community engagement presentation
• June 20 and 21, 2023, Click here to access the community engagement session presentation. Haga clic aquí para la presentación en español.
• June 23, 2023, Letter from the Superintendent to the school community of Beaumont Elementary School regarding the vote of the Board of Education to consolidate the school site: Click here to access in English | haga clic aquí para acceder en español
• June 23, 2023, Letter from the Superintendent to the school community of Rancho Minerva Middle School regarding the vote of the Board of Education to consolidate the school site: Click here to access in English | haga clic aquí para acceder en español
• June 23, 2023, Letter from the Superintendent to the school community of Vista Innovation Design Academy regarding the vote of the Board of Education to move the school site: Click here to access in English | haga clic aquí para acceder en español
• August 31, 2023, Community Update at Beaumont Elementary, 6:00 p.m. and Rancho Minerva Middle School, 7:10 p.m. Click here for English | haga clic aquí para acceder en español
• December 12, 2023, Board Action Update on the decisions regarding school boundary readjustments. Click here to access
• December 15, 2023, Letter from the Chief Operations Officer to Rancho Minerva Middle School on next steps on school consolidation. Click here to access in English and en español
• December 15, 2023, Letter from the Chief Operations Officer to Beaumont Elementary School on next steps on school consolidation. Click here to access in English and en español
• Notice of New School Boundaries Effective 2024-2025:
  • Click Here for Homeless and Foster Youth Student Notice 
  • Click Here for Displaced Student Notice
  • Click Here for Inter-District Transfer Student Notice
  • Click Here for Intra-District Transfer Student Notice
  • Click Here for Beaumont Elementary and Rancho Minerva Middle School Principal Communication

The following presentation to the Board of Education have been made as part of the establishment and monitoring of the school consolidation process:

• January 9, 2023, Presentation: Click here to access
• January 19, 2023, Resolution on the District Asset Advisory Committee: Click here to access
• February 8, 2023, Presentation: Click here to access
• March 2, 2023, Presentation: Click here to access
• April 6, 2023, Presentation: Click here to access 
• May 17, 2023, Committee Update: Click here to access
• June 22, 2023, Presentation on the Recommendations of the community input committee: Click here to access. Haga clic aquí para revisar los hallazgos en español.
• June 22, 2023, Discussion/Action on school consolidation and moves: Click here to access. Haga clic aquí para revisar los hallazgos en español.
• July 20, 2023, Discussion/Action on the timeline for school consolidation: Click here to access
• August 10, 2023, Discussion and consensus on school consolidation steps: Click here to access
• October 12, 2023,  School Consolidation Update: Click here to access
• November 9, 2023, Discuss and Action on Magnet School Admission Criteria Adjustments Regarding School Consolidation: Click here to access
• December 12, 2023, Approve Elementary and Middle School Boundary Adjustments: Click here to access
• February 15, 2024: Board of education reviews the 2024 summer facility listing with special instructions to support school consolidation. Click here to review the Board agenda item. Click here to review the Board Action Item list for this meeting. 
• Mach 14, 2024, Approve the tentative school transportation routes for the 2024-2025 school year. Click here to access the agenda item and click here to review the board action item listing for this meeting

• May 29, 2024, Article in the Coast News on school consolidation: Click here to access 
• March 7, 2023, Article in the Times of San Diego based upon information provided by the District: Click here to access
• March 7, 2023, Article on KPBS based upon information provided by the District: Click here to access 
• March 7, 2023, Story on ABC News 10 San Diego based upon information provided by the District: Click here to access
• March 8, 2023, Article in the Coast News based upon information provided by the District: Click here to access
• March 8, 2023, Article in the Voice of San Diego with links to ABC 10 News San Diego based upon information provided by the District: Click here to access
• March 8, 2023, Article in the North County Daily Star based upon information provided by the District: Click here to access
• March 21, 2023, Article in the Coast News about community meetings about the Asset Management Advisory Committee: Click here to access
• June 26, 2023, Article in the Coast News about Board Action based upon the recommendations of  the Asset Management Advisory Committee: Click here to access
• July 14, 2023, Article in the San Diego Union Tribune based upon Board action on school consolidation and relocation: Click here to access
• July 17, 2023, Article in American School & University, based upon Board action on school consolidation and relocation: Click here to access
• July 18, 2023, Article in EdSource, based upon Board action on school consolidation and relocation: Click here to access
• July 26, 2023, Article in the Coast News, based upon Board action on school consolidation and relocation: Click here to access
• December 22, 2023: Article in the Coast News about new neighborhood schools. Click here to access

Student Transfers: Families requesting school transfers can access the current transfer system by contacting Student Support Services or clicking here. 

Review Magnet School Policy (September-November): School Board to engage in a review, discussion, and decision if the current admission priority groups and 30/30/30/10 model should be revisited. Discuss the process for filling vacancies during the school year. (Magnet School Steering Committee feedback). 

Review School Boundaries (October - December): School Board to engage in discussions and decisions on school boundaries options to accommodate students, families, and staff.

Staffing: Any and all implications to school or district staffing will be directed through Human Resources with the process steps having been outline in existing contract language. 

School Operations and Culture: While schools are undergoing consolidation (closure), they are not closed. These are active and vibrant learning communities that have a focus on our students. We will provide supports to continue to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions our schools are making to our community.

Communication and Relocation Communications: There are many stakeholders involved in school consolidation (closure). Communication is the key to keeping everyone informed about the actionable steps and support plans that are being developed to support our students, families/guardians, faculty, staff, and community during this transition. We will engage in ongoing communications and feedback events to fully inform the community about action steps. This will include items led by the District and School.

Rules, Regulations, and Contract Obligations: To ensure that we are paying careful attention to legal and best practice guidelines, we will consult counsel and offices to ensure we are in adherence to laws, codes, case law, and contracts.  

The communication plan for staff, families, students, and the community has multiple layers that include those items that are sent from the District, those send by the school site, and those that are conducted together by the District and School. 

District Communications:

• Press/media releases
• Letters to the community
• Community updates
• Website updates
• Action items
• Community information sessions (on and off school sites)
• Community service organization presentations
• Presentations to parent organizations such as the DELAC and Parent Teacher Associations
• In person staff meetings at schools

School Communications:

• Letters to the school community
• Regular updates through school determined medium 
• Principal/family meetings
• Presentations to school committees and parent organizations

School and District Communications:

• Coffee with Principal
• Off site information presentations as called for by the school
• Dedicated parent information sessions

 

When will families know about what their school options for 2024-2025? For schools that are being consolidated (closed), the District has established a timeline for notification on school options for the 2024-2025 school year as being by December 2023.  (August 17, 2023)

Will families have the opportunity to visit and tour the newly assigned neighborhood school to help familiarize prior to the start of school? Once a determination of school placements have been made and families have been notified in December, there will be an orientation process.  (August 17, 2023)

When is Vista Innovation Design Academy be moved? The date of moving VIDA has not been voted upon at this time.   (August 17, 2023)

When will the school boundaries be changed? School boundaries will be adjusted through a process that is taking place between September and November 2023. The vote on school boundaries is anticipated to take place in December of 2023. (August 31, 2023)

Is the magnet school policy transparent? Is it online? Yes, it is online and transparent. The current policy is known as 30/30/30/10. This means there are currently three divisions of the District that get 30% of the seats at a magnet school with the remaining 10% going to applicants from outside the District. (August 31, 2023)

Can the Board modify the magnet school policy? Yes, and recommendations may be brought to the Board from the Magnet School Committee. It has been recommended that the Board make those decisions by November of 2023. (August 31, 2023)

If I am redistricted or my school boundaries change to a school I do not want to go to, can I transfer to another? In VUSD, you can always apply for a transfer to another school. With the exception of a few current school sites, there is room. However, it is on a first come first serve basis. (August 31, 2023)

For the options that will be presented in December, is it just a school of residence? What about choice? Could there be multiple options based upon the Board’s magnet policy decisions? Your neighborhood school is always an option. You have always been able to put in a transfer request. You are correct, once a decision has been made on the magnet policy, that may influence what your options are for next year.  (August 31, 2023)

 Is there enough space at the other schools to accommodate my student? That will be part of what demographers look at. Yes, we have enough space, and this is one of the reasons we needed to engage in school consolidation - we have declining enrollment and more schools than we can effectively and efficiently operate. Transfer requests will be on a space available basis. (August 31, 2023)

Will there be SPED transition meetings? (August 31, 2023)Yes, there will be considerations for SPED students and a review. Remember that your students' IEP is valid at any school in the District they are enrolled in. (August 31, 2023)

Have the school boundaries been already selected? No, Davis Demographics, a state licensed and specialized scientific firm, has been retained to help develop options for the Board to consider. This will be a policy decision and therefore will be made by the Board of Education. (August 31, 2023)

What if students have questions about this? I want you to tell them. Once we have options in place, we will begin the process of telling students. There will be a community/staff communication outlined that will be shared so that parents/guardians and teachers have talking points to speak with children about. (August 31, 2023)

I currently have after school program access. Will that continue at my new school? That depends on your choice. If you go to your new neighborhood school the answer is yes. If you transfer or go to a magnet, then it will be as space is available at that school. (August 31, 2023)

The transfer process can take a long time. Will there be extra staff allocated to take this on? The transfer process that we are engaged in for the schools that are consolidating would start in January. This is different from requests that occur at the start of the year where we are looking at the staffing and timing of transfer requests. Therefore, this would be a different process that is more proactive and forward leaning on timeline. (August 31, 2023)

What is the closest middle school to RMMS? It would depend upon where you live. If we mean what is the closest school to RMMS as an address where we are holding this meeting, that would be Vista Magnet Middle School. However, the majority of families do not live close to RMMS and take the bus to get there. For most of those families they live closer to one of the other middle school locations. (August 31, 2023)

Can we apply for a magnet school or other school? Yes (August 31, 2023)

Why was it decided to close RMMS and change the boundaries and not close VIDA instead? This was a Board decision that was taken after careful consideration. This included community feedback and the expert analysis of data on demographics and facility conditions. From that data the Board decided that it was in the best long-term interests of the District given the historic declining enrollment and facility conditions, to close RMMS and at some point, move the VIDA program to that location and then close the former VIDA site. (August 31, 2023)

If RMMS becomes the location for VIDA, can both school populations be accommodated on one campus? No, the maximum capacity of RMMS is just over 1,000 students. Combining the two was considered and could not occur.  (August 31, 2023)

If we don’t get accepted into the magnet schools our options at the middle school level will be Madison or Roosevelt? This is accurate based upon the current policy. (August 31, 2023)

If I am on the waitlist for a magnet school this year, do I need to reapply for next year? Yes. It is the current magnet school procedure that you must reapply every year until accepted. (August 31, 2023)

I thought that both RMMS and VIDA were being considered for consolidation? That is correct, both were considered. RMMS was considered for low enrollment and VIDA for facility conditions. The final decision of the Board of Education was to close RMMS based upon low enrollment, then to move VIDA to that location, and finally to close the former VIDA location due to facility conditions. This means that the VIDA program is slated to continue at the RMMS location, and that the former VIDA site would then be closed. (August 31, 2023)

Will an adjustment or priority be made for RMMS scholars to be accepted into a magnet? That is part of the process of what the Magnet School Committee and the Board of Education will be exploring in the upcoming months. (August 31, 2023)

What is the timeline for VIDA to move onto the RMMS campus? That has not been established and is a future decision to be made. (August 31, 2023)

We have a robust Career Technical Education (CTE) program at RMMS, do any of the other Middle Schools have this type of program? Career Technical Education is a priority for the District as is the expansion of it. Yes, the other middle schools currently have CTE programs on site and those would likely increase with the moving of students from RMMS to those schools.  (August 31, 2023)

So VMMS and VIDA are currently at capacity, does that mean that the only options we have are Madison and Roosevelt? Let’s clarify. First, there are a number of openings that occur at magnet schools each year. Next, we need to have the results of the Board decision on magnet school policies for next year before knowing how many openings there might be. (August 31, 2023)

Why don’t we add space to RMMS and just have both schools unite? The majority of students that attend RMMS travel there from a location that is closer to other middle schools. In addition, an increase of capacity of a school site of that kind (adding a new two-story building with 20 classrooms) involves a three-to-four-year process and would require a significant expenditure to add such a building. At this time, there is neither time nor budget for this consideration. (August 31, 2023)

Are both the middle and elementary school boundaries being redrawn? Yes. However, the elementary school boundaries are a more complex process due to the number of schools and their locations. (August 31, 2023)

What defines walking distance for an elementary schools? Currently the definition of walking distance is 1.5-2.0 miles.  (August 17, 2023)

How are my kids getting to school if our neighborhood school is not walking distance? Once a determination of school placements have been made in December, there will be a process of logistical and transportation planning that will take place that will address transportation routes and options.  (August 17, 2023)

I hear there is a bus shortage? How will students be transported? There has been a national, state, and local shortage of bus drivers. However, VUSD has developed our own bus driver school and has been increasing the number of drivers. This has been counterbalanced with a greater need for bus routes for special education student services, which are required by law. Therefore, we have not increased our general education routes but will continue to add to our capacity. Our goal is to add routes this year with three graduating cohorts of new drivers anticipated. Final decisions on who will qualify for transportation will be a board policy decision to be made. (August 31, 2023)

Walking to school and who gets transportation is an issue? How will this be reviewed? In addition to demographic and GIS data about distance from schools, additional facts such as walking routes, sidewalks, crosswalks, train tracks, and additional safety factors are taken into consideration. (August 31, 2023)

When will we know about our transportation options? There are a variety of policy decisions that need to be made before we engage in providing those options. Therefore, the soonest would be initial information at the end of December with additional information in early 2024. (August 31, 2023)

What does transportation to Madison and Roosevelt currently look like? This year there are school bus routes to both of those sites that are slated to continue next year. (August 31, 2023)

How did the community have input into this decision? In three ways. First, there is a legal process established by the State of California for community input called the Asset Management Advisory Committee. You can learn more about the process and the input provided by clicking here. This Committee made recommendations to the Board of Education in an official report. Second, additional community meetings were held by the Superintendent and Chief Operations Officer with faculty and staff as well as open community forums. Finally, all AMAC meetings and regular meetings of the Board of Education have agenda items for public comment.  (August 17, 2023)

What will happen to the schools that are consolidated (closed)? A final determination of the use of each facility that is closed has not been full determined. In most cases there is a near term plan and a longer term plan that has been recommended. The Asset Management Advisory Committee did provide a recommendation to the board on this item in their report. An overview of their recommendations on use can be reviewed by clicking here.  (August 17, 2023)

When is Vista Innovation Design Academy be moved? The date of moving VIDA has not been voted upon at this time.  (August 17, 2023)

Why isn’t there a Board member assigned to special education? The listing you are reviewing is from the website and lists committees that Board members participate in. The Special Education meeting occurs once a year and has not been assigned yet. Typically, there are two Board members there as this is a topic of great interest and a priority for the Board. (August 31, 2023)

Who are the Board Members and committee members and how are they selected? There are five districts in VUSD and one Board member per district. They are publicly elected in cycles with a four-year term. Committee members for board sub-committees are selected by the Board. Additional committees are assigned by senior district leaders based upon expertise and/or background in a particular area/topic. (August 31, 2023)

How did employees/community have input into this decision? In three ways. First, there is a legal process established by the State of California for community input called the Asset Management Advisory Committee. You can learn more about the process and the input provided by clicking here. This Committee made recommendations to the Board of Education in an official report. Second, additional community meetings were held by the Superintendent and Chief Operations Officer with faculty and staff as well as open community forums. Finally, all AMAC meetings and regular meetings of the Board of Education have agenda items for public comment. There was an official Vista Teachers Association and California School Employee Association representative on this Board Committee. (August 17, 2023)

What happens to my job when a school is consolidated (closed)? While many of us have a deep and personal connection to our work at a school, it is important to remember that we work for Vista Unified School District and not an individual school. What happens when a school is consolidated is outlined in your contract with the District and will be addressed by the Human Resource division. (August 17, 2023)

Could my job change? What grades or subjects we teach, what our position class is, and other terms of our employment are outline in your contract with the District. All questions regarding these items will be addressed through Human Resources as we go through this process. (August 17, 2023)

When will I know where I might be next year? Initial communications on this topic are slated to occur during the spring 2024 semester with communications coming from the Human Resources division. (August 17, 2023)

There is a sense that our student population is being displaced once again to accommodate a magnet. The current school boundary of RMMS is half of the entire district, this is larger than any school boundary, including that of high schools. Therefore, the student population of the school is not localized to the surrounding community of RMMS. The boundary process seeks to decrease disparities and provide additional opportunities for students at schools that are likely closer to many of our students and families than RMMS is now.  (August 31, 2023)

Will families have access to information about where the RMMS staff will be reassigned, so families can base their decisions on that? We have a process that is established in contract language on how staff will be redistributed. This is a complex matter that involves many factors. It is not likely that families will know this information. (August 31, 2023)

 Will families have access to information about where the RMMS staff will be reassigned, so families can base their decisions on that?

A: We have a process that is established in contract language on how staff will be redistributed. This is a complex matter that involves many factors. It is not likely that families will know this information.

School boundaries and demographics are being conducted by Business Services.  

Ami Shackelford
Asst. Superintendent Business Services
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92302
Email: amischackelford@vistausd.org

Berenice Guzman
Administrative Secretary I
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92302
Email: bereniceguzman@vistausd.org

The Magnet School Committee is responsible for reviewing the policies and process steps for admissions into our magnet schools. 

Cheree McKean, Ed.D.
Director of Care, Connection & Wellbeing
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: chereemckean@vistausd.org

Eric Chagala, Ed.D.
Director of School Transformation
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email:ericchagala@vistausd.org

Alicia Hutchinson
Administrative Support to the Director
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: aliciahutchinson@vistausd.org

 

Requests for student transfers and student transfer policies are under the oversight of  Student Support Services. 

Narciso Iglesias, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Student Support Services
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92182
Email: narcisoiglesias@vistausd.org

Patricia Vega
Student Services Support
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92180
Email: patriciavega@vistausd.org

The Asset Management Advisory Committee is the state specified process for gathering community input. The following is the district leadership team responsible for the support of the Asset Management Advisory Committee:

Shawn T. Loescher, Ed.D.
Chief Operations Officer
Senior District Leader to the Committee
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: shawnloescher@vistausd.org

Kristen Rose
(Foresight, Planning,
and Development Inc. Partnership Provider)
Principal Consultant
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: krose@fpd.consulting

Danica Reed
Administrative Secretary I
Secretary to the Committee
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92702
Email: danicareed@vistausd.org

Media/Press Inquires and Public Records Requests are handled by our Human Resources division. 

Rachel D'Ambroso
Asst. Superintendent Human Resources
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92202
Email: racheldambroso@vistausd.org

Ellie Navarro
Administrative Secretary I
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92202
Email: ellienavarro@vistausd.org