Colton Joint Unified board votes to launch 12-month facility asset‑management process to address steep enrollment decline

The Colton Joint Unified School District board on Thursday voted unanimously to begin a 12‑month facility asset‑management and community engagement process after hearing a presentation showing long‑term enrollment losses and their financial impact.

Michael Taylor, a consultant with MGT, told the board his team reviewed 22 years of enrollment data and said “through ’14‑15 up until last year ’25‑26, you’ve lost about 24% of your students, which is about 5,500 students,” and cautioned the district could lose roughly another 3,400 students through 2035–36 based on the district’s demographic study. Taylor outlined instructional effects—fewer teachers for collaboration, more combo classes—and fiscal consequences, saying districts can lose millions in ongoing revenue when students leave.

The presentation walked trustees through a three‑phase process: data analysis and committee formation; committee recommendations and town‑hall community engagement; and implementation planning that would address property outcomes such as sale, lease, or repurposing. Taylor said the typical timeline is about 10–12 months but left pacing to district leaders, emphasizing communities need time to absorb proposals.

Board members who spoke praised the report as a necessary step. Board member Dan Flores said the data gives the district time to “make adjustments” and urged officials not to wait until the situation forces drastic cuts. Board member Ibarra said the process could strengthen the district’s programs and align boundaries to better serve families. Several trustees asked that the advisory committee include parents, teachers and classified staff and suggested inviting city and county officials to participate.

Superintendent Dr. Miranda said staff will return with a proposed advisory‑committee membership list for board review and reiterated that the board will make any final decisions following public input. The board approved a motion by board member Ibarra, seconded by Israel Fuentes, to proceed with the recommendation as presented; the motion passed 7–0.

Next steps outlined by staff include forming the advisory committee, hosting town‑hall meetings and producing a final report with options and transition plans for the board’s consideration. The district noted potential savings from consolidation could range broadly depending on chosen options and emphasized communication with families would be central throughout the process.

The board also discussed use of bond funds to support solutions and asked staff to prioritize transparency and community input as the process moves forward.