The district’s recent board meeting comes with more cuts and more changes

Student from Steele Lane Elementary speaking at the February 11, 2026 SRCS board meeting (Hugh Cochrane / The Puma Prensa)

By Rheya Bushan, Features Editor

At the February 11, 2026 board meeting, Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) confronted the growing challenges of a deepening budget crisis, outlining major challenges that will affect students, staff, and the district as a whole.

Among the most significant developments is a shift in class size expectations. The district is now aiming for an average of 35 students per class, with some classes needing as many as 40 students to be offered. Elementary classes after Kindergarten are projected to rise to 32 students per class.

Another major area of change highlighted in the meeting was mental health support. The district has cut multiple positions, including school therapists and wellness counselors, reducing access to critical services for students. 

Additionally, a previously higher-paid director position has been downgraded to a Mental Health Coordinator role. The decision reflects broader efforts by the district to reduce costs, but it comes at a time when student mental health needs are rising.

Staffing reductions extend beyond mental health services. Since last year, the district has eliminated more than 50 teaching and counseling positions, and further negotiations with the Santa Rosa Teachers Association (SRTA) could result in a 6% pay reduction, bringing the pay even further below the state average. 

These cuts, Social Studies teacher and SRTA Site Rep Scott Wallach warned, may create cascading effects that could drive families to leave the district, potentially reducing revenue and further straining the district’s financial stability.

Despite these challenges, sports programs remain intact for now, although they were previously flagged as a potential area for future reductions. The board also addressed broader structural issues, including discussions around consolidating multiple districts in Santa Rosa. 

Wallach expressed cautious support, stating, “We should not have nine districts in Santa Rosa. Because of the number of districts we have, there are a far greater number of district administrators and superintendents than needed…However, this needs to be done in ways that are equitable for everyone.”

Consolidation could potentially reduce administrative overhead and allow more resources to be directed to classrooms, though specifics remain uncertain.

Speaking as a Site Rep, Wallach also expressed serious concern about the district’s long-term financial outlook. “Many of the cuts the district has approved will lead to an increase in costs in other areas. This paired with the fact that the cuts will lead to families leaving SRCS, I do not believe we will save enough money to keep local control,” he said.

Overall, the February 11 meeting highlighted the scale of the challenges facing SRCS. Increased class sizes, substantial cuts. Community members, parents, and educators are being asked to navigate a period of significant change, with the future of many programs and services hanging in the balance.