At least two school districts in Orange County are consolidating campuses at the end of this school year, while others are exploring potential school closures in the future.
For many districts, these decisions are driven primarily by ongoing declines in student enrollment and rising costs that have led to deficit spending.
This is the case in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. The TK-12 district, which operates 34 campuses in southern Orange County, reconvened a Facilities Focus Group late last year. Comprised of parents, union members, and administrators, the group was tasked with recommending a merger between two schools. Seven campuses with current or projected enrollment of fewer than 400 students were under consideration…