West County SUN is a proactive, forward looking, community-led conversation. Together we’ll explore our options to restore local control of our educational tax dollars, reducing long commutes for our students, and ensuring rural families have a school system that reflects their identity and needs for generations to come.
A 2024 feasibility study shows that unification already meets 7 of the 9 State Board of Education criteria, including enrollment, community identity, and use of existing facilities.
Importantly, small elementary districts do not have to give up their independence to participate in this discussion.
Under California law, they may choose to remain separate while still sending their students to the full-service comprehensive high school created by unification.
This “opt-out” and feed-in” approach allows small elementary districts to choose to maintain local governance for TK-8 while ensuring their students benefit from a locally controlled high school at El Molino.
Wednesday September 17
5:30 PM
West County Services Center – or virtual
16390 Main Street, Suite B
Guerneville
Join the conversation on Saturday September 20
11 AM
Cazadero Fire House – in person only
1620 Cazadero Hwy
More community conversations are coming — each one adds new perspectives as we shape this together. If you’d like to bring one to your neighborhood or to your community group email [email protected].
The path forward depends on community voices and careful planning. Together we can create a plan that protects our elementary schools as community hubs, reopens El Molino, and builds a strong future for West County students, families, and residents.