GUSD Enrollment Trends
After months of deliberation, at the September 5, 2019 Board Meeting, the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education voted to close Antonio Del Buono Elementary School (ADB) in the Summer of 2020. This was a very difficult decision for the Board and staff but was necessary to help balance the budget during difficult financial times.
The District’s enrollment has steadily dropped over the past few years and is projected to decline for many years to come. The decline of over 400 students in three years has resulted in a loss of revenue of about $5 million. Declining enrollment is now occurring in 25 school districts in Santa Clara and in most districts in the Bay Area. This decline is the result of many factors including a significant drop in the birth rate, the exodus of families to parts of the state and county with lower housing costs, and lower student generation rates from new housing.
Beginning in the fall 2020, students from ADB will attend either Luigi Aprea or Rucker Elementary schools. During the next 5-6 months, staff will work diligently to make the transition as smooth as possible.
For many years, the Gilroy Unified School District’s enrollment steadily increased, but that has changed. In 2016, at the peak of enrollment, there were 11,509 students in Gilroy Unified schools. By the fall of 2018, enrollment had declined to 11,101 students. This downward trend exists throughout the County; 25 of 31 school districts are affected. In Gilroy Unified School District, enrollment in our eight elementary schools has shown the greatest decline.
What does this mean for Gilroy Unified School District? The loss of 400 students over two years represents $3.7 million in lost revenue. The loss of this revenue makes it necessary to reduce expenditures for the 2019-20 school year by $3 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Superintendent's Advisory Committee on School Closures Meeting Updates (updated August 22, 2019)
- Superintendent's Advisory Committee on School Closures
- What indicators are used to predict future enrollment in GUSD?
- What is being done with empty classrooms?
- Where are families going if they're leaving Gilroy?
- Has GUSD considered moving sixth grade students back to elementary school sites?
- Why does the CDE website say there are more students in GUSD than the District claims exist?
- If GUSD closes an elementary school, where will those students and staff members go?
Superintendent's Advisory Committee on School Closures Meeting Updates (updated August 22, 2019)
Superintendent's Advisory Committee on School Closures
What indicators are used to predict future enrollment in GUSD?
What is being done with empty classrooms?
Where are families going if they're leaving Gilroy?
Has GUSD considered moving sixth grade students back to elementary school sites?
Why does the CDE website say there are more students in GUSD than the District claims exist?
If GUSD closes an elementary school, where will those students and staff members go?
Reference Information
San JOse Mercury News: Baby bust: Bay ARea housing prices go up, births go down
Sacramento Bee: California Birth Rate falls again to record low
California Department of Education: Closing a School: Best Practices Guide