The vote followed months of community input and discussion around persistent concerns with school quality, equity and representation across the city’s four school districts. Designed by Freepik, www.freepik.com

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Cordova City Council voted 4-1 in an Oct. 6 special meeting to move forward with the creation of an educational program plan that could reshape the future of public schooling in the city.

The vote followed months of community input and discussion around persistent concerns with school quality, equity and representation across the city’s four school districts.

The Oct. 6 meeting, led by Ryland Strategic Business Consulting, offered an in-depth update on the current state of education in Rancho Cordova and gave several options, including maintaining the status quo, advocating for improvements within existing districts or pursuing the creation of a new, locally-controlled school district.

“Public education plays a key role in the quality of life and future opportunities for our children,” said Councilmember David M. Sander, Ph.D. “We don’t manage schools as a city but we can’t ignore how education impacts our community’s future. It’s our mission to improve Rancho Cordova and this process can help guide us, whether we split or not.”

Rancho Cordova’s education system is uniquely complex, with four separate school districts serving different parts of the city: Folsom Cordova Unified School District (FCUSD), Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD), Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) and San Juan Unified School District (SJUSD).

Over the past two years, the City Council has held multiple joint sessions with Folsom Cordova Unified School District and the City of Folsom to examine the feasibility of a district reorganization. Although a January 2024 feasibility study led Folsom Cordova Unified School District to decide against reorganization, the City Council continued exploring long-term solutions for Rancho Cordova’s students.

A renewed focus on public input was approved in February, and throughout April and May, the city’s consultants conducted four focus groups with 37 participants from across the three largest districts.

According to the consultants’ findings, the strongest support for separation came from residents served by Folsom Cordova Unified School District. Two focus groups covering Folsom Cordova Unified School District rated the idea of forming a new local district at 2.88 out of 3.0, with 33 of 37 total participants recommending a Rancho Cordova-controlled district.

“Sports inequity came up a lot, like using gym equipment from Folsom schools that wasn’t even rebranded for Cordova High,” said Cathy Dominico, financial consultant with Ryland Strategic Business Consulting. “Another big conversation was transparency. Everybody thought the teachers are great; it’s more of how the teachers support was being applied.”

Elk Grove Unified School District participants appreciated diversity and parent engagement but expressed concern about overcrowding and transportation. Sacramento City Unified School District participants valued teacher commitment but pointed to mental health support, facilities and resource equity as pressing issues.

EMC Research also conducted a broader community survey, revealing that residents are initially split on the idea of creating a separate district. While some are drawn to the idea of increased local control and tailored programs, others are wary of potential downsides. Overall support hovered around 50%.

“We’re trying to understand what the community is looking for as far as educational programs locally,” Dominico said. “Then we need to translate that into something that can be delivered with the resources available.”

During public comment, longtime resident Daryll Langwell raised concerns about English language learners and student retention policies.

“How many lower grade classrooms have students with minimal understanding of English?” Langwell asked. “How would redistricting solve those issues?”

Conrad Mayor, another resident, voiced frustration about decades of unmet needs.

“We’re still falling short on every bond we’ve passed. Everyone puts in the time and effort but we’re no better than 20 years ago,” said Mayor.

Councilmember Sander spoke firmly in support of pursuing the plan.

“Even if we don’t move forward with a split, this gives us a window into how existing schools can be improved,” Sander said.

Vice Mayor Garrett Gatewood echoed support for change.

“It’s a tale of two cities,” Gatewood said. “What Rancho needs is completely different from what Folsom needs. Our lower-socioeconomic kids need more funding and focus. A Rancho Cordova school district would let us do that.”

Councilmember Linda Budge expressed a more cautious optimism.

“Everything we’re seeing from the new Folsom Cordova Unified School District superintendent is more positive for Rancho Cordova than it’s been in a long time,” Budge said. “But I agree we need a vision and that means writing this plan.”

Mayor Siri Pulipati agreed with fellow councilmembers on the importance of moving forward with the educational program plan.

“Right now, education is not a draw in Rancho Cordova. If this plan can be done for a reasonable cost, we should move forward,” Pulipati said.

The motion to create an educational program plan passed with a 4-1 vote. Councilmember Joe Little was the lone dissenting vote, although he did not publicly elaborate on his reasoning during the meeting.