Sonoma County Office of Education

Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools to Offer Support to Santa Rosa City Schools Board

03/10/2025 -

Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter plans to offer additional support to Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) at their regular Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, March 12, as the district seeks to implement major changes ahead of the 2025-26 school year.

The size of Santa Rosa City Schools and the scope of the changes, which involve the closure of multiple schools and the addition of 7th and 8th grade students to high school campuses, prompted Carter’s offer of help.

“Many families are wondering, ‘What is school going to look like when my student shows up in August?’” Carter said. “As County Superintendent, and chief executive of the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), I have a duty not only to be knowledgeable about the challenges SRCS faces, but to be a partner as they gather information and offer our expertise and technical assistance.

“Once the board approved its plans for next school year, we quickly began to marshal resources both here at SCOE and from around the state to help the board answer these big questions.” SRCS leadership was very appreciative when we first reached out about the potential for collaboration, and we’re excited to bring this idea to the Board of Trustees.

To assist the board, Carter envisions measures including:

  • A task force to give immediate attention to campus configurations that will support safety and learning
  • Assistance with timely and direct communication with employees, families, the school community, and local media
  • Ongoing consultations with top state financial experts to analyze the district’s budget and short- and long-term enrollment trends

The size of SRCS and its large footprint in Sonoma County highlight the importance of collaboration, Carter said. In the 2023-24 school year, roughly 42% of Sonoma County’s public school students attended either Santa Rosa City Schools or one of its feeder elementary districts.

“The challenges are clear, and the timeline is tight, and that’s why SCOE and I want to help,” Carter said. “But we recognize this is the trustees’ decision to accept this offer of assistance, and we look forward to Wednesday’s discussion.”