The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education has directed staff to begin a clear, evidence-based process to evaluate whether any school sites should be considered for closure as early as the 2027-2028 school year. As part of this effort, the District is forming a School Closures Advisory Committee to study enrollment trends, review criteria, analyze data, and provide a recommendation to the Board of Education.
This process is in its early stages. The School Closures Advisory Committee is expected to begin meeting in March 2026, meet monthly, and bring a recommendation to the Board by October 2026. Even if the Board were to approve any closures, no school would close before the 2027–2028 school year.
For several years, VUSD closely monitored enrollment trends, watching to see if post-COVID declines might stabilize. However, enrollment continues to decline by approximately 300 students per year. Regional data also shows sustained decreases in birth rates, fewer families moving into the area due to the high cost of living, and an aging population. Together, these trends require the District to carefully assess how many school sites are needed to best serve current and future students…