BRSSD currently operates two smaller middle schools with excess capacity. Due to declining enrollment and lower participation in this school model, the District is no longer able to staff these programs as efficiently as in the past. Operating schools efficiently allows us to protect high-quality programs, steward resources responsibly, and address the District’s ongoing structural budget challenges.

Based on demographer analysis and District projections, enrollment growth at the middle school level is not anticipated in the next decade. The Board is considering options that balance current realities with long-term flexibility.

BRSSD has experienced declining enrollment for several years, driven primarily by lower birth rates across the region. To date, these declines have been felt most significantly in the elementary grades. As those smaller cohorts move through the system, the impact is now beginning to reach the middle school level.

In 2019, approximately 4,310 students were enrolled in BRSSD.  Today BRSSD serves approximately 3,880 students.  This number includes the expansion of transitional kindergarten over the past several years.

The District has consistently benefited from low student mobility—when students enroll in BRSSD, they tend to stay. We regularly adjust staffing in response to enrollment changes and will continue to share updated enrollment data as part of the decision-making process moving forward.

Enrollment trends are influenced by lower birth rates, housing costs, and broader regional demographic shifts. These trends are consistent with patterns seen across most California school districts.

BRSSD has experienced declining enrollment for several years, driven primarily by lower birth rates across the region. To date, these declines have been felt most significantly in the elementary grades. The District continues to plan holistically across all grade spans.

Yes. Our demographer worked closely with city planners to understand proposed development and factored anticipated growth into enrollment projections.

The Board of Trustees is considering several options involving Ralston (6–8), Nesbit (6–8), and Sandpiper (6–8), including:

• Maintaining the current configuration

• Closing Sandpiper 6–8 and redistributing students to Nesbit and Ralston

• Closing Nesbit 6–8 and redistributing students to Sandpiper and Ralston

• Exploring a shift to two mid-sized comprehensive middle schools (this option would require significantly more planning and a multi-year implementation)

Ralston Middle School is considered BRSSD’s comprehensive middle school. It follows a more traditional middle school model, offering a broad core academic program along with a range of traditional elective courses.

In contrast, standalone 6–8 schools—Sandpiper and Nesbit—are intentionally designed around a defined instructional focus. Sandpiper emphasizes Design Thinking, and Nesbit offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. In these standalone models, electives are more intentionally integrated into the core instructional program and aligned to the school’s theme, rather than offered as separate, traditional elective courses.  Programs are intentionally smaller to promote closeness in cohorts.

Both models provide strong middle school experiences, but they differ in how instruction and electives are structured and organized to support student learning.

Estimated annual savings range from $150,000 to $450,000, depending on the option selected.

The Board is gathering input through public comment sessions, including:

• January 8 – Special Board Meeting (Nesbit MUR)

• January 11 – Regular Board Meeting (additional public comment)

• January 22 – Special Board Meeting (Sandpiper MUR)

The Board of Trustees is considering changes affecting grades 6–8 only, with the earliest possible implementation in the 2026–27 school year.

If approved, changes could begin in the 2026–27 school year. Depending on the option selected, the timeline could extend beyond one year.

The Board of Trustees will make the final decision following a multi-step process that includes community input, staff analysis, enrollment and financial data, and public discussion. Decisions will be guided by educational quality, equity, student experience, facilities, staffing, and long-term sustainability.

Survey responses, emails, and public comments are being reviewed and summarized by staff and will be shared publicly with the Board. Emerging themes will inform the Board’s discussion and help shape which options are explored further.

The survey is one input among many and was intended to provide general insight into community perspectives on middle school experiences and openness to change. It was not designed to determine whether a change is necessary or to drive a specific decision or outcome. Ultimately, decisions are being guided primarily by enrollment trends, financial sustainability, and educational considerations, with the survey serving as contextual information alongside broader community input and public discussion.

Community voice is important. Families and community members are encouraged to attend Board meetings or submit feedback at feedback@brssd.org.

Families will receive ongoing updates through District communications, school newsletters, the District website, and Board meetings. The District will continue to share information as options are clarified.

Equity is a core value of BRSSD. Decisions will be guided by access to programs, inclusion, student supports, and long-term sustainability for all learners.

While additional time can feel reassuring, delaying a decision is likely to create increased uncertainty for current fifth-grade families preparing for the transition to middle school. Families consistently share that clarity and predictability are important as they plan for their child’s middle school experience. While the timeline is expedited, it has been carefully considered.

Financial responsibility requires the District to operate programs that are educationally sound and financially sustainable. If programs were to continue without adjustment, it would be necessary to ensure that each program is fully enrolled to remain viable. In that scenario, the likelihood increases that some students could be assigned to their second or third choice school in order to balance enrollment and sustain programs. Optimizing programs helps reduce this risk while allowing the District to better align enrollment, staffing, and resources.

Current middle school students would complete the school year without disruption. Any approved changes would be phased in thoughtfully, with advance notice and transition supports.

The District anticipates that middle school students currently attending a “closed” school would be provided the opportunity to select one of the other two remaining schools.  We are not viewing this change as simply merging our two small schools.  Space is currently available for transfer into both of our small schools.  We anticipate opening additional space at Ralston should a realignment occur.  It is important to note that no changes are being made to TK/K-5 programming.

Student well-being will be a priority. Supports may include orientation activities, counseling services, peer connections, and intentional community-building before and after transitions.

Stability is a guiding principle. Planning will focus on clear communication, consistent staffing, and ensuring students feel supported and connected.

The District values family choice and will clearly communicate how placement processes would work under any approved alignment.

Yes. Students from a closed middle school would receive priority placement ahead of new enrollees and intradistrict transfer requests.

The District will make every effort to consider sibling placements when assigning students, particularly for families impacted by a school closure.

No boundary changes are currently proposed. Any future consideration of boundaries would include community engagement and Board action.

The District understands the stress uncertainty can cause and is committed to providing clear timelines and early communication to support informed family decisions.

The IB MYP at Nesbit is school-specific due to recent certification and staffing. It is not expected to move to another campus at this time.

Expansion would depend on future capacity and community interest; however, growth is not anticipated as part of this alignment discussion.

Programs will be reviewed to ensure students continue to have access to engaging, rigorous learning experiences. Program continuity is a key consideration.

Alignment is intended to strengthen academic preparation, social-emotional development, and readiness for high school. The District continues to collaborate with high school partners to support smooth transitions.  Students from all BRSSD schools achieve high levels of success and are well prepared for high school and beyond.

Yes. The District anticipates sufficient capacity at remaining sites if a closure occurs.

No. The District does not plan to increase TK–5 enrollment at affected sites. Vacated classrooms would be repurposed consistent with the Facilities Master Plan.

Classrooms would be repurposed for flexible learning spaces, student services, or other District needs, potentially reducing the need for future renovations.

Depending on the option selected, enrollment at Ralston could increase. Any increase would be planned carefully to ensure appropriate staffing and supports.

The District works with SamTrans to support transportation and will continue coordinating to adapt routes and schedules as needed.

Placements may change to ensure appropriate supports, inclusion opportunities, and access to services. Decisions will be guided by student needs and IEP requirements.

Collective bargaining agreements for BRSFA and CSEA include provisions related to transfer and reassignment. The District will work collaboratively with union leadership to support staff.

No. The discussion is limited to middle school grades only.

No. School nutrition services are not part of the middle school alignment process.