Whited Elementary Charter School Consolidation and Attendance Boundary Adjustments
Summary
SCH Number
2026030804
Public Agency
Rincon Valley Union School District
Document Title
Whited Elementary Charter School Consolidation and Attendance Boundary Adjustments
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/19/2026
Document Description
The Rincon Valley Union School District (District) approved the closure of Whited Elementary Charter School (Whited Elementary), contingent upon the following conditions: (1) revision of the District’s attendance boundaries in accordance with the California Education Code and Board Policy, including consideration of potential environmental impacts and/or applicable California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions associated with the reassignment of students to other schools resulting from boundary changes; (2) preparation of a transition plan; and (3) compliance with all charter school closure procedures pursuant to Title 5, Section 11962(a) of the California Code of Regulations and the Whited Elementary Charter Petition, Element 15. The action was prompted by declining enrollment and associated reductions in District revenues. The closure of Whited Elementary will result in the consolidation of operations into six receiving schools: Austin Creek Elementary; Binkley Elementary; Madrone Elementary; Manzanita Elementary; Sequoia Elementary; and Village Elementary. Based on projected 2026-27 academic enrollment and operational capacity, all six receiving schools have sufficient capacity to accommodate the reassignment of 342 Whited Elementary students.
This CEQA analysis evaluates the potential physical environmental effects of the proposed actions, which include:
1. Closure of Whited Elementary;
2. Adjustment of attendance boundaries and reassignment of students to receiving schools; and
3. Programmatic and physical changes to receiving schools.
Contact Information
Name
Mike Herfurth
Agency Name
Rincon Valley Union School District
Job Title
Interim Superintendent
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Email
Location
Cities
Santa Rosa
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
Multiple
Zip
95409,-405
Total Acres
n/a
Parcel #
Multiple
State Highways
SR 12
Schools
Multiple
Waterways
Ducker 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 because it involves the closure of Whited Elementary and the consolidation of operations among six receiving schools, accompanied by adjustments to the District’s attendance boundaries. As a result of the closure, a total of 342 students would be reassigned to the receiving schools. Austin Creek Elementary would accommodate an increase of 11 students; Binkley Elementary, 91 students; Madrone Elementary, 118 students; Manzanita Elementary, 14 students; Sequoia Elementary, 82 students; and Village Elementary, 26 students. The receiving schools are expected to accommodate the projected 2026–27 enrollment without the need for additional classroom facilities. No physical changes are proposed as part of the project.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption because it involves the continued operation of existing school facilities with negligible or no expansion of use. The project consists of the closure of Whited Elementary and the proposed reassignment of students to six existing elementary schools. No physical alterations, construction, or expansion of facilities are proposed at Whited Elementary or at any of the receiving schools.
The projected 2026–27 enrollment at each receiving school remains within the operational capacity of each campus. Accordingly, the reassignment of students represents the consolidation of enrollment within existing facilities and would involve negligible or no expansion of existing use.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15314
Reasons for Exemption
The project qualifies for this exemption because no additional classrooms are proposed at any of the receiving schools as a result of the closure of Whited Elementary. Therefore, the project would not increase original student capacity by the lesser of 25 percent or 10 classrooms. As evaluated, all six receiving schools have sufficient capacity to accommodate the 342 students proposed for reassignment from Whited Elementary.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15322
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption because it involves the closure of Whited Elementary and the consolidation of operations among six receiving schools. No physical alterations are proposed at Whited Elementary or at any of the receiving schools.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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