Vallejo City Unified School District

The district originated as separate elementary and high school districts governed jointly by the city board of education.^[3] In January 1945, Vallejo City Unified School District was authorized to open a four-year junior college.^[4] Vallejo Junior College was established that year and became a two-year college in 1955.^[5] In 1967 it was moved to Fairfield and renamed Solano Community College.^[6]

In the 21st century, the Vallejo City Unified School District has had a continuing budget deficit and declining enrollment. After the funding shortfall exceeded $18 million,^[7] in 2004 it was placed in receivership by the State of California, receiving a $60 million loan and being placed under fiscal oversight by the Department of Education.^[8][9][10] Richard Damelio was appointed administrator,^[11][12] and oversaw all district operations until 2007. Partial control was then restored to the school board,^[13] with Damelio continuing to oversee finances until April 2013. Melvin Iizuka was then appointed as a fiscal advisor to the district by the Solano County Office of Education.^[14][15] Repayment of the loan was completed in September 2024 and oversight ended in July 2025,^[15] but enrollment meanwhile had declined by almost half,^[10] falling from approximately 18,000 in 2004^[15] to approximately 9,300 by late 2025.^[2]

To save money, in spring 2004, prior to entering receivership the district eliminated elementary school music teachers, middle school counselors, and librarians, and closed Mare Island Elementary School.^[16] Since 2004 it has continued to combine and close schools and reduce staff. Farragut and Davidson Elementary School, Vallejo Middle School, and Hogan High School were closed by Damelio.^[15] Elsa Widenmann Elementary School and Solano Middle School were merged in 2019 to create Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy.^[15] In 2020, Beverly Hills Elementary School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School were closed,^[15] and Farragut Leadership Academy was relocated to the John Finney Educational Complex.^[17] At the end of the 2024–25 academic year, the district closed two elementary schools, Mare Island Fitness and Health Academy and Loma Vista Environmental Science Academy,^[2][18] and in December 2025 it announced that three more would close at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.^[19] Little League fields and an elementary school campus have been sold.^[15]

Rubén Aurelio has been the district superintendent since July 2024.^[2]

As of January 2026^[update], the Vallejo City Unified School District includes ten elementary schools, four middle schools (one a dependent Charter school), and two high schools. The district also has four alternative public education schools or programs including an adult school.^[20]