Davis Joint Unified School District

Why was DJUSD studying boundaries and school planning?
DJUSD has experienced declining resident enrollment for more than a decade. Recent demographic reports have shown continued declines in births, resident enrollment, and projected future enrollment. Because enrollment affects school staffing, programs, facilities, and district finances, the Board began studying how these trends could affect the long-term future of the district.

Why does enrollment matter?
Student enrollment directly impacts state funding for public schools. As enrollment declines, school districts receive less funding while many operating costs remain the same. Understanding future enrollment trends helps the District plan responsibly for staffing, programs, facilities, and financial sustainability.

What role does housing development play in enrollment planning?
The Board reviewed enrollment projections associated with proposed housing developments because future housing can significantly affect both the number of students attending DJUSD schools and where those students live. Depending on future development patterns, the District could face different challenges related to enrollment levels, school capacity, and student distribution throughout the district.

What was the Housing-Schools Connection?
The Housing-Schools Connection was a community education effort conducted during the spring of 2025. Superintendent Best and Chief Strategy Officer Maria Clayton presented information at more than 60 meetings with staff, families, community groups, and residents. The presentations explained declining enrollment trends, school funding, demographic projections, and the relationship between housing development and future school planning.

What community engagement has occurred?
During the 2025–26 school year, DJUSD conducted a Community Process that included public meetings, community outreach, online feedback opportunities, and presentations on concepts for district reconfiguration—one localized and one with districtwide implication- to address the scenario of a decline of 1000 students in the next ten years. Community feedback was collected and reviewed by the Board as part of its iterative process and ongoing discussions.

Has the Board decided to close any schools?
No. The Board has not approved any school closures.

Has the Board decided to consolidate schools?
No. The Board has not approved any school consolidations.

Has the Board decided to change school boundaries?
No. The Board has not approved any boundary changes.

Why were Boundary and Planning discussions paused?
On June 4, 2026, the Board directed staff to pause Boundary and Planning discussions and related community engagement activities. The Board determined to broaden the focus in the 2026-27 school year to discussion and engagement about budget priorities and long-term financial planning before proceeding with any additional Boundaries and Planning discussions.

When will the Board revisit these discussions?
The Board may revisit school planning discussions in Spring 2027 or later. Future discussions may consider:

• Updated enrollment and demographic projections
  
• District budget priorities and financial conditions
  
• Housing development activity and projected enrollment impacts
  
• A revised planning framework, including potential updates to guiding assumptions and community engagement processes
  

Will there be additional opportunities for community input?
If the Board resumes Boundaries and Planning discussions in the future, opportunities for community engagement and feedback will be incorporated into the process.

What will community engagement look like in the future?
Before further outreach, the Board would revisit purpose, Guiding Assumptions and a revised framework for community engagement.

Where can I find more information?
Board presentations, demographic reports, community engagement materials, meeting recordings, and related documents are available on this webpage and through the DJUSD Board of Education meeting agenda online.

June 4, 2026 - Boundaries and Planning Update - At this meeting, the Board reviewed the District's Boundaries and Planning work related to declining enrollment, and future school planning and directed staff to pause Boundaries and Planning discussions and related community engagement activities until they may be reevaluated no earlier than Spring of 2027.

April 16, 2026 - Boundary/Enrollment Budget Study Session- At this meeting the Board discussed the challenge, setting reduction targets, and the toolbox of options.

April 2, 2026 - MGT Resident Student Forecast Presentation to the Board of Education

March 5, 2026 - Study Session: School Size and Model

January 15, 2026 - Boundary/Enrollment Update At this meeting, the Board reviewed the results of Round 1 community feedback and began considering whether adjustments should be made to the strategic objectives, guiding assumptions, or outreach process before moving forward.

December 18, 2025- add Presentation and Video-At this meeting the the Board received the raw feedback collected through the Community Outreach Process and began discussing the guiding assumptions that would shape future concept development. The conversation also introduced the idea of an iterative concept-development process, with additional scenarios to be created and refined through future rounds of community outreach.

November 20

November 6

October 30

October 16

September 4, 2025 - Boundaries and Planning Update Presentation to the Board of Education. At this meeting, the Board received a recap of the Community Education effort from the previous spring and approved a revised timeline.

September 4, 2025- Boundaries and Planning Update Presentation to the Board of Education - At this meeting, the Board received a recap of the Community Education effort from the previous spring and approved a revised timeline.

April 17, 2025-
Updated Housing-Schools Connection Presentation to Board of Education

March 20, 2025 - 
Student Population Forecast by Residence - MGT Report to the Board

February 6, 2025- Boundary/Enrollment Board Study Session 6- This sixth Board Study Session recapped Board feedback from the last session, outlined a community education effort and provided options for a Community Process that would inform a recommendation for the Board's decision-making. Video link to Board session

January 16, 2025- Boundary/Enrollment Board Study Session 5- This fifth Board Study Session allowed staff to review information from the previous four sessions and receive Board direction on the proposed timeline for decision-making and future work. Video link to Board session

November 21, 2024- Boundary/Enrollment Board Study Session 4- This fourth Board Study Session allowed staff to review information from the previous three sessions and receive Board feedback to inform next steps. Video link to Board session

November 7, 2024- Boundary/Enrollment Board Study Session 3- This third Board Study Session focused on Phase 2 of the discussion process: analysis of the challenges and opportunities over the next decade. Video link to Board session

October 17, 2024- Boundary/Enrollment Board Study Session 2- This session focused on Phase 1 of the Discussion Process and information sharing. Video link to Board session

October 3, 2024- Boundary/Enrollment Board Study Session 1- Staff engaged in information gathering and analysis about boundary area populations as well as enrollment data and trends. Video link to Board session

September 5, 2024- DJUSD Boundary Study Overview- Staff provided an overview of the issue and a possible timeline for Board discussion on this topic. Video link to Board session