Sent on Friday, March 5, 2026.

Dear VCUSD Families,

Over the coming days, you may hear conversations in our neighborhoods or on social media about staff reductions in our district. I want to speak directly with our families and community to provide clear information about the financial realities VCUSD is facing and the difficult decisions ahead.

Before sharing more about these challenges, I want families to know that our top priority throughout this process has been protecting students and the classroom experience. Class sizes will not change as a result of these staffing reductions, and district leaders worked carefully to ensure that teaching and learning remain protected.

Students will also continue to receive the instruction, programs, and services they need to succeed. This includes services outlined in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which the district is legally required to provide and remains fully committed to supporting.

School safety, student supervision, and campus security will remain a priority as we move through this transition. Programs that support the full student experience—including extracurricular activities, athletics, and mental health and counseling services—will continue to be available to students.

Like many districts across California, VCUSD is facing a combination of financial pressures, including declining enrollment, rising costs, expiring pandemic relief funds, and increasing legally mandated expenses.

During the pandemic, relief funding allowed school districts—including VCUSD—to expand staffing to support students during an unprecedented crisis. At the same time, student enrollment declined. Over time, this created a structural imbalance, with staffing levels built for a much larger district than the one we operate today.

Taken together with other financial pressures, these factors have created a projected $32 million shortfall over the next two years.

Restoring our financial stability requires incredibly difficult decisions, including closing neighborhood schools and reducing our workforce by more than 220 positions. While some of the positions are vacant, others affect valued members of our school community who have dedicated themselves to serving our students, and we do not take that impact lightly.

At the same time, this moment is also an opportunity to sharpen our focus. As our district stabilizes financially, we are strengthening our commitment to strong instruction, safe and supportive schools, and measurable progress in student outcomes. Every decision we make moving forward will be guided by a simple question: how does this improve students' opportunities?

Vallejo’s students are capable of extraordinary things, and our responsibility as a district is to ensure the system around them rises to meet that potential.

Because transparency matters, I have included a brief FAQ below to address some of the questions circulating in our community.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to support our students and the future of Vallejo City Unified School District.

Together, we will continue to Think VCUSD First.

Rubén Aurelio
Superintendent
Vallejo City Unified School District

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the district reducing staff?

VCUSD is facing a projected $32 million budget shortfall over the next two years. Like many districts across California, this is the result of several factors, including declining enrollment, rising operational costs, expiring pandemic relief funding, and increasing legally mandated expenses such as Special Education services. To remain financially stable and protect the long-term health of our schools, the district must align staffing levels with the current size of the district.

Why wasn’t this identified sooner?

School district budgets are complex and evolve throughout the year as new information becomes available. As part of our ongoing financial oversight, the district identified additional costs and financial pressures that required immediate action to maintain long-term fiscal stability.

How many employees will be affected?

The district is reducing more than 220 positions across multiple departments and school sites. These are incredibly difficult decisions that affect valued members of our school community, and we are committed to supporting impacted employees through the process.

Why are these decisions being made now?

Addressing financial challenges early allows the district to stabilize its budget and avoid more severe disruptions in the future. Taking action now helps ensure our schools remain financially healthy and focused on student success.

Will this impact classrooms or increase class sizes?

District leaders carefully prioritized classroom instruction throughout this process. While some adjustments may be needed, our goal is to protect teaching and learning environments and ensure students continue to receive the academic support and services they need.

Our contract with our labor partners determines our class sizes and cannot be changed without negotiation. At this time, no changes to classroom sizes will be made. 

Will my student still have their Special Education class or services if staff are being reduced? 

Yes. Students will continue to receive the services outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Special Education services are legally required, and the district remains fully committed to ensuring that students receive the instruction and supports they need. While some staffing adjustments may occur, we are working carefully to ensure that Special Education programs and services remain in place so that students continue to receive the support outlined in their IEPs.

For families connected to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) program currently housed at Pennycook Elementary, please know that the program is not being closed. It will be relocated to Wardlaw Elementary, and all impacted families have already been notified of this transition.

Why are schools also being closed?

Declining enrollment means some schools are operating significantly below capacity. Closing school sites allows the district to better align resources with the number of students we serve while maintaining academic programs and services.

Are administrators also being reduced?

District leaders conducted a comprehensive review of staffing across all departments, including central office functions, to ensure reductions were made responsibly and equitably across employee groups. Managerial roles were reduced the most as part of these efforts.

How will the district move forward after these changes?

VCUSD remains focused on the priorities outlined in our Strategic Plan, including increasing graduation rates, expanding A–G college eligibility, improving student outcomes, and strengthening the overall educational experience for students and families.

At the same time, the district is actively working to grow and strengthen enrollment. This includes improving communication with families, hosting enrollment fairs, and offering school tours so families can better learn about the programs and opportunities available in our schools. We are limiting inter-district transfers and working to ensure families understand the full range of educational options available within VCUSD.

The district is partnering more closely with community organizations, local leaders, and realtors to help share the positive work happening in our schools and highlight what VCUSD has to offer families considering Vallejo as their home.

Internally, the district is also planning for the future of our workforce. This includes offering an early retirement incentive for eligible employees while also creating opportunities to bring in and support the next generation of educators and staff.

VCUSD has also made significant progress in expanding services for students with special needs. Currently, 97 percent of students with special needs are served within VCUSD programs, allowing them to remain in their home community while accessing the support they need.

Beyond enrollment growth, the district continues to focus on strengthening the overall student experience. This includes improving early literacy and math instruction, expanding college and career pathways, and increasing opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school. VCUSD is also focused on strengthening counseling and student support services, improving attendance, and ensuring every student has access to the resources they need to succeed.

We are also working to enhance the day-to-day experience for students by supporting extracurricular programs, strengthening campus safety, and creating school environments where students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn. Additionally, several state grant-funded capital projects are underway to improve the outdoor and indoor learning environments.

VCUSD is also strengthening how we communicate with families and the community. The district has expanded its communications efforts to provide clearer information about programs, student opportunities, and important decisions affecting our schools. We believe strong communication helps families stay informed and engaged in their children’s education.

Additionally, VCUSD is increasing opportunities for student voice and leadership. Through efforts such as the district’s Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, students can share their perspectives and help shape decisions that impact their educational experience.

Finally, VCUSD is committed to strengthening partnerships with families and the broader community through increased communication, family engagement opportunities, and collaboration with local organizations and businesses.

Our goal is not only to stabilize the district financially, but to continue building a school system where families actively choose VCUSD because of the opportunities and support available to their children.