Welcome to the School Consolidation Information Hub
This site will serve as your go-to resource for updates, timelines, and important details regarding the School Consolidation Process. Here you’ll find the latest news, presentations, and opportunities to share your input as we work together to ensure the best outcomes for our students, staff, and community.
Consolidation of JCMS for the 26-27 School Year
April 6th Town Hall Recording and Presentations
Community Questions from Town Hall (FAQs)
The following questions will go over questions that have already been asked about the JCMS Consolidation plan. As a reminder some questions have been answered based on the previous presentations and like questions have been grouped together. This page will be updated with more questions from the Town Hall and those submitted via the family & staff link.
Where will staff go and will there be highly qualified staff at the elementary schools?
Current JCMS staff will be offered positions aligned with their certifications at elementary schools, as well as any open positions across the district.
We are committed to ensuring that all students continue to have access to highly qualified teachers. Middle school-certified teachers will continue teaching at the appropriate grade levels, bringing their content expertise and experience with them to their new campuses.
Is there room at the elementary schools for 7th grade and 8th grade? Yes, all of our elementary schools have adequate classroom space for 7th grade next year and 8th grade the year after while maintaining appropriate class size.
What about our friend groups? Student friend groups were taken into consideration during this process, that is why the recommendation was not moving next year’s 8th graders back to their home elementary schools. It was important to keep that group together next year.
Is the 8th grade staying at Town & Country a permanent solution? The current plan is for 8th grade students remaining at Town & Country to do so only for the 2026–2027 school year. For the 2027–2028 school year, students would attend their home school, where they were enrolled as 7th graders.
Why close JCMS and not another Elementary school? Enrollment trends show that we experience a significant decline in student numbers as students transition from elementary to middle school. Currently, JCMS is projected to serve approximately 250 students in the 2026–2027 school year, in a facility designed to accommodate around 1,000 students.
While our elementary schools are also operating below capacity, the level of under-enrollment at JCMS is much more significant.
By consolidating at the middle school level, we are able to maximize resources more efficiently and preserve more teaching positions overall. Closing one or more elementary schools would require a greater reduction in staff and result in more significant teacher layoffs.
How does this save money if we are keeping staff? Cost savings come primarily from reducing duplicate staffing that is necessary when operating multiple under-enrolled campuses. This includes positions such as administration, office staff, and support staff, as well as the need for long-term substitute teachers currently being used to fill vacancies. There is also savings associated with minimizing bus routes.
Middle school teachers are still essential, and those who wish to do so will have the opportunity to fill existing vacancies at Buena High School, where long-term substitutes are currently in place.
By consolidating campuses, we are able to streamline support staff and administrative roles, allowing us to operate more efficiently while preserving as many teaching positions as possible.
Why not improve JCMS instead of close it? JCMS has made important strides and shown meaningful improvement. However, continued declines in enrollment mean the district no longer has the capacity to sustain a significantly under-enrolled campus while waiting for those improvements to continue over time.
This recommendation is based on the need to use resources more efficiently while still providing strong academic opportunities and experiences for all students.
What time will the 7th and 8th grade students be in school? The school day for both 7th and 8th grade students will align with the elementary school schedule. On regular school days, hours will be 8:00 AM to 2:55 PM, and on Wednesdays, students will attend from 8:00 AM to 12:45 PM.
What about 6th grade graduation? All 6th grade promotion ceremonies will continue as normal this year. Next year elementary schools will still be able to have those ceremonies if it is important to their school community.
What about ESS? All services provided now will continue to be offered, if you have more specific questions regarding your student, please contact the ESS department.
What about bus routes? Seventh and 8th grade students will ride their regular elementary bus routes to and from their home school, with an additional stop at Town & Country to accommodate the 8th grade students attending that campus.
Consolidation Work Session March 26, 2026
Bella Vista Elementary to Join Town & Country Elementary for the 26-27 School Year
Superintendent Terri Romo shared:
“Our goal is always to make decisions that put students first while strengthening our district as a whole. Bringing Bella Vista into the Town & Country community allows us to maximize resources, expand opportunities, and continue Achieving Excellence Together for every learner.”
Town & Country Principal Stephanie Elson added:
“We are excited to welcome Bella Vista families and staff into the Town & Country community. Our focus will be on creating a smooth, supportive transition and ensuring every student feels valued, connected, and empowered to succeed.”
As part of this process, the district will begin reviewing logistics such as bus routes and transportation to ensure a smooth and thoughtful transition for families. Over the planning timeline, there will be additional opportunities for both families and staff to provide input, ask questions, and help shape how this transition unfolds.
As always, Sierra Vista Unified School District remains an open enrollment district. Families may choose to apply to attend another school if space is available.
We understand that change brings questions, and we are committed to clear communication, transparency, and collaboration throughout this process. More information will be shared as planning continues, and we look forward to working closely with you every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and support of our students and schools.
September 3rd Meeting Recaps
Superintendent Romo Remarks
School Consolidation Survey Summaries
Staff Survey Summary
1. Strong, Supportive Staff
Staff overwhelmingly identified people as the heart of a great school. They value dedicated, compassionate, and skilled educators and support staff who build lasting relationships with students and families. Retaining quality staff and minimizing disruption to teams were among the top concerns.
2. Positive Leadership and Communication
Effective leadership and clear, transparent communication were seen as essential. Staff want administrators who listen, provide consistent direction, and foster trust and collaboration. Many noted that strong leadership directly impacts morale, teamwork, and student outcomes.
3. Culture of Belonging and Safety
Respondents described their schools as families built on trust, respect, and inclusivity. A safe, supportive environment—both physically and emotionally—was viewed as foundational to student and staff success. The PBIS values of Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible were mentioned repeatedly as core to school identity.
4. School Identity and Traditions
Staff expressed deep pride in their school spirit, mascots, colors, and long-standing traditions such as assemblies, family nights, and community events. They want consolidation to blend the best of each school’s culture, not erase it, and to establish new shared traditions that reflect unity while honoring legacy.
5. Academic Excellence and Student-Centered Focus
Staff believe great schools combine high academic expectations with care for the whole child. They value personalized learning, strong programs (STEM, arts, Title I supports), and equitable opportunities for all students. The goal, they emphasized, is to help every student feel capable, confident, and connected.
6. Collaboration and Teamwork
Many comments highlighted the power of teamwork and collegial respect. Staff want to maintain a culture where collaboration, shared problem-solving, and mutual support are standard. They worry that consolidation could strain these relationships if not managed thoughtfully.
7. Family and Community Partnerships
Strong parent and community engagement was seen as vital. Staff want to preserve active PTOs, volunteer support, and local partnerships that contribute to school pride and student success. Schools were described as community hubs, and respondents hope that remains true post-consolidation.
8. Equity and Fairness
Equitable treatment—for students, families, and staff—was a recurring theme. Respondents urged district leadership to ensure resources, opportunities, and recognition are balanced across schools and to address disparities in facilities, programs, and support.
Parent Survey Summary
1. Teaching & Learning
High-quality teachers and staff: Many emphasized that excellent, caring, and consistent teachers are the single biggest factor in student success.
Small class sizes: Strongly valued for allowing individualized attention, small-group instruction, and stronger teacher-student relationships.
Discovery, advanced, and non-traditional programs: Families want continued access to Discovery, STEM/STEAM, arts, clubs, and other enrichment opportunities.
Support for special education and diverse learners: Parents strongly voiced the need to keep special education staff, programs, and related services intact, with consistency for students who rely on them.
2. School Culture & Values
Respect, safety, and belonging: A safe, bully-free environment with positive behavior supports (PBIS) and strong discipline policies were mentioned repeatedly.
Integrity, honesty, accountability: Respondents want schools to uphold values of fairness, responsibility, and character education.
Student-centered focus: Families want to feel that decisions prioritize children’s learning and well-being—not finances or politics.
3. Traditions & Community Events
Family-centered activities: Book fairs, fall carnivals, pajama days, Halloween parades, monthly assemblies, and school dances were all named as meaningful.
School spirit: Spirit weeks, pep rallies, student leadership programs, and recognition events foster a sense of belonging and pride.
Parent involvement: PTOs, volunteer opportunities, and school-family partnerships are seen as essential traditions to maintain.
4. Communication & Relationships
Clear and consistent communication: Parents want ongoing, honest, and timely communication from schools and the district.
Partnership with families: Families value when teachers and administrators know their children personally, maintain open dialogue, and include parents in decisions.
Transparency during change: Many urged the district to acknowledge the emotional impact of consolidation, and to provide stability (e.g., keeping familiar teachers with students).
5. Facilities & Environment
Safe, well-kept campuses: Families emphasized the importance of physical safety, security measures, and attractive environments.
Age-appropriate placements: Concerns about moving 6th grade into middle school—parents worry about maturity gaps, bullying, and students “just becoming a number.”
6. Concerns & Emotional Impact
Loss of school identity: Many families expressed grief, anger, and even betrayal over the closure of beloved schools. They fear losing traditions, trusted teachers, and the “family feel.”
Stability for students: Parents pleaded for continuity of key teachers, counselors, and support staff during consolidation.
Mental health & belonging: Repeated concerns about bullying, emotional safety, and the need for schools to feel like welcoming communities.
7. Hopes for the Future
Equity and inclusion: Calls for supporting students of all backgrounds, ensuring fairness, and addressing diverse needs.
Growth mindset: Some see consolidation as an opportunity to combine the best of each school and create new traditions together.
Extracurricular opportunities: Strong desire to keep and expand sports, music, arts, clubs, and leadership programs that help students thrive beyond academics.