School Merger and Reorganization at ABCUSD - What Happens Next?
The ABC Unified School District (ABCUSD) is taking strategic steps to adapt to a declining student enrollment, with the potential consolidation of four elementary schools and reconfiguration of high schools at the heart of their plans. This move aims to manage resources effectively, optimize facility use, and maintain fiscal responsibility while continuing to serve the district's student population.
The ABCUSD Board of Education is currently considering the closure of five elementary schools (Aloha, Furgeson, Juarez, Stowers, and an unspecified fifth school) as part of a comprehensive restructuring. The decision is driven by demographic shifts leading to fewer students in the district, which impacts resource allocation across schools.
Operating half-full schools is costly, and the money spent on underutilized classrooms and underenrolled campuses could instead fund more teachers, tutors, counselors, and mental health support. By consolidating schools, the district aims to better align school capacity with current and projected student numbers, avoiding underutilized classrooms and financial inefficiencies.
The Board is working together to ensure a strong and sustainable future for the students they serve. They are committed to keeping permanent staff and academic programs intact through any transitions. To help grow enrollment, they propose opening Whitney High School to a limited number of students from outside the District.
The data behind the recommendation shows that expanding middle schools to serve grades six through eight would further impact enrollment at elementary schools. SchoolWorks, a consulting firm, has suggested reconfiguring Whitney High School by establishing a Whitney Middle School. They also recommended consolidating four elementary schools (Aloha, Furgeson, Juarez, and Stowers) and moving students to nearby schools with available space.
Many public school districts across California are facing the same difficult decisions, with some closing campuses and laying off staff or reducing student programs. The Board is having a difficult conversation about school consolidation due to declining enrollment, rising housing costs, and shifting population trends.
The ABCUSD Board of Education received a report from SchoolWorks on May 20, 2025, regarding declining enrollment and school facility use. The report includes recommendations for ABC Unified to adapt, such as consolidating four elementary schools and moving students to nearby schools with available space.
The Board is inviting students, families, staff, and community members to join a Public Hearing on June 3, 2025, to share their perspectives on the proposed changes. No decisions have been made, and the programs offered at the four elementary schools recommended to be consolidated will move with students.
The Board's goal is to make the district more efficient, equitable, and innovative with fewer, better-resourced campuses. They seek to maintain the quality of education despite the possibility of making more painful cuts to staff, programs, and the quality of education if no action is taken.
In summary, the ABCUSD's moves toward consolidation and reconfiguration are strategic efforts to manage declining enrollment, optimize facility use, and maintain fiscal responsibility while continuing to serve its student population effectively. The Board is committed to keeping permanent staff and academic programs intact through any transitions and is inviting the community to share their perspectives at the upcoming Public Hearing.
[1] SchoolWorks Report on Declining Enrollment and School Facility Use in ABC Unified School District (May 20, 2025) [2] Los Alamitos Unified School District Budget Adjustments and Staffing Changes (2023)
The ABCUSD Board of Education is open to hosting a community discussion, inviting students, families, staff, and community members to join the Public Hearing on June 3, 2025, about the proposed consolidation of four elementary schools (Aloha, Furgeson, Juarez, and Stowers) and other reconfiguration plans aimed at aligning school capacity with current and projected student numbers. To complement these changes, the Board is considering the establishment of education-and-self-development programs and enhancing community news coverage of events and local happenings within the district.
In order to raise student enrollment, the ABCUSD Board of Education favors opening Whitney High School to a select number of students from outside the District while simultaneously investigating the establishment of education-and-self-development programs. The inclusion of such programs is intended to enrich the district's offerings and further cater to various learning needs, ensuring a more robust and well-rounded education for all students in the district.
