Sonoma Valley Unified School District Elementary School Closure and Consolidation
Summary
SCH Number
2025100488
Public Agency
Sonoma Valley Unified School District
Document Title
Sonoma Valley Unified School District Elementary School Closure and Consolidation
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/10/2025
Document Description
The Sonoma Valley Unified School District (District) approved the closure of Prestwood Elementary School, contingent upon: (1) revising elementary school attendance boundaries, (2) preparing an elementary transition plan, and (3) completing environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The action was prompted by sustained declines in elementary enrollment. The closure of Prestwood Elementary will result in the consolidation of operations into two receiving schools: El Verano Elementary and Sassarini Elementary. Based on projected 2026-27 academic enrollment and operational capacity, both El Verano Elementary and Sassarini Elementary have adequate capacity to accommodate Prestwood Elementary’s 274 students.
This CEQA analysis evaluates the potential physical environmental effects of the proposed actions, which include:
1. Closure of Prestwood Elementary School;
2. Adjustment of attendance boundaries and reassignment of students to receiving schools;
3. Relocation of the Extensive Support Needs Program; and
4. Installation of a single restroom within existing buildings at both El Verano Elementary and Sassarini Elementary.
Contact Information
Name
Rena Seifts
Agency Name
Sonoma Valley Unified School District
Job Title
Superintendent
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Location
Cities
Sonoma, Unincorporated area
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide, Unincorporated
Cross Streets
E MacArthur, Oak Ln; Riverside Dr; 5th St W, Curtin Ln
Zip
95676
Total Acres
n/a
Parcel #
multiple
State Highways
SR 12
Railways
n/a
Airports
n/a
Schools
multiple
Waterways
Sonoma Creek
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15282(i)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it involves closing Prestwood Elementary and consolidating operations at El Verano Elementary and Sassarini Elementary. Attendance boundary adjustments will accompany the closure and consolidation. El Verano Elementary will accommodate a net increase of 150 students, and Sassarini Elementary will accommodate a net increase of 124 students. The receiving schools are expected to serve the projected 2026–27 enrollment without the addition of new classroom facilities. However, to accommodate the grade levels each school serves, the District is considering the addition of a single restroom within an existing portable restroom facility at El Verano Elementary, and one within an existing classroom at Sassarini Elementary; no new instructional space is proposed. This installation would not increase either school’s enrollment capacity.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as each receiving school is an existing facility, and the project involves the operation and minor alteration of these facilities with negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The receiving schools are expected to serve the projected 2026–27 enrollment without the addition of new classroom facilities. However, to accommodate the grade levels each school serves, the District is considering the addition of a single restroom within an existing portable restroom facility at El Verano Elementary, and one within an existing classroom at Sassarini Elementary; no new instructional space is proposed. This installation would not increase either school’s enrollment capacity.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 3; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15303
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it may include the addition of a single restroom within an existing portable restroom facility at El Verano Elementary, and one within an existing classroom at Sassarini Elementary; no new instructional space is proposed. The construction of these restrooms is considered a limited number of new, small facilities. This installation would not increase either school’s enrollment capacity. The receiving schools are expected to serve the projected 2026–27 enrollment without the addition of new classroom facilities, and no physical modifications beyond the potential additional restroom at each school site is anticipated.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 11; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15311
Reasons for Exemption
Although the proposed project’s additional restrooms are not minor structures accessory to (appurtenant to) existing school facilities, they are minor facilities accessory to the existing buildings in which they would be constructed. Therefore, the proposed project qualifies for this exemption.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 14; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15314
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it may include the addition of a single restroom within an existing portable restroom facility at El Verano Elementary, and one within an existing classroom at Sassarini Elementary; no new instructional space is proposed. The receiving schools are expected to serve the projected 2026–27 enrollment without the addition of new classroom facilities, and no physical modifications beyond the potential additional restroom at each school site is anticipated.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 22; California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15322
Reasons for Exemption
This exemption is applicable as the proposed project involves modification of the Extensive Support Needs Program through the closure of Prestwood Elementary and the consolidation of its operations into El Verano Elementary and Sassarini Elementary. The Extensive Support Needs Program serves preschool and transitional kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 17779 (Restroom Facilities), preschool, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten classrooms are required to have self-contained restroom facilities. To comply with this requirement and accommodate the relocated Extensive Support Needs preschool students at El Verano Elementary and transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students at Sassarini Elementary, the District is considering installation of a single restroom within existing buildings at each school site. No additional physical improvements beyond these two potential restroom installations are proposed.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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