The Amador County Unified School District board voted unanimously to rescind an earlier consolidation resolution and to direct staff to fully evaluate a new consolidation plan under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The action, taken during the board’s meeting after public comment, moves the district from a past plan toward a formal environmental review without committing to construction or final consolidation.

The board rescinded resolution 22-23-10, first adopted Jan. 18, 2023, and authorized staff to pursue CEQA-level analysis of a potential model that would locate grades 7–9 at the Argonaut campus and grades 10–12 at the Amador campus, with Jackson Junior High considered for repurposing (adult education and an adult transition program) and a three-year phased transition for Ione elementary-grade moves. “This resolution does not mean that we are consolidating no matter what,” Mark Critchfield, the district superintendent, said in presenting the item. “This resolution…would give us the direction to fully vet out this potential consolidation plan…to vet out everything all the impacts that this plan would have and bring [that] forward to the board.”

Why it matters: The CEQA process will require technical studies — traffic, enrollment, parking, safety (including railroad proximity), and other environmental impacts — before the board can adopt any consolidation decision. Junaid Halani, environmental counsel with Lozano Smith, told trustees that CEQA options include a notice of exemption, a mitigated negative declaration, or a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and that prior draft-EIR technical work could be re‑used where applicable. “Any of those steps needs to be completed to its fullest before…you get to a final approval of this project,” Halani said.

Public commenters and several trustees flagged fiscal and program concerns. Patricia Anjija, treasurer of Amador’s Heart of Gold, criticized the board for approving increased employer-paid health contributions that she said benefit the district’s top-paid administrative staff while the district faces what she described as significant deficits — she cited an ACUSD deficit of $2,371,014 and an Amador County office deficit of $1,887,573 — and urged staff to identify cuts in conferences, mileage and outside contractors. “The only way to reduce the deficit is to cut spending,” Anjija said. The board’s discussion repeatedly returned to balancing fiscal responsibility with maintaining programs and educational opportunities.

Trustees and staff also focused on predictable operational impacts. Craig Baraju, executive director of Foothill Conservancy, urged the district to treat traffic as the primary environmental issue for both campuses, and the board asked that traffic routing and parking options be explicitly studied for Argonaut and Amador. District staff told the board there are roughly 150 student drivers across both campuses now and about 200 paved parking spots at Amador, with additional gravel parking available for events; staff said parking and stadium-lot options would be part of the analyses.

On timing and next steps, board members asked staff to solicit CEQA proposals and return with cost estimates; trustees were told that staff expects consultant bids and that the board would hear from consultants at upcoming meetings. Board member James asked for clarity on timeline; Critchfield responded that staff will return with pricing and that the board will see the CEQA scope in one to two meetings. “That’s a great way to map out the timeline,” a trustee said.

The motion to approve item 13.1 — rescind the 2023 consolidation resolution and authorize evaluation of the new consolidation plan and CEQA review — was moved and seconded. The vote was recorded as unanimous (recorded votes included board members Peyton, Claire, Peter, Ken, Shane and James; the motion passed 7–0). Trustees emphasized repeatedly that the action authorizes study only and does not bind the district to consolidate.

What the CEQA review will examine: Halani said the district’s consultants will map prior technical studies from the draft EIR onto the new configuration to determine which analyses carry over and what additional work is necessary. The review will consider traffic mitigation measures, parking capacity, enrollment projections and buffers, railroad proximity and potential safety mitigations (for existing lines near school sites), and the availability of funding sources, which staff said could include early consolidation savings and developer fees for campus improvements.

Board members asked staff to prioritize community engagement and coordination with local jurisdictions (Ione, Jackson, Sutter Creek) and regional agencies such as the Amador County Transportation Commission. Several trustees also asked that the district present broad outreach and public presentations in future meetings rather than relying solely on the district website; staff said the district will update a centralized “consolidation hub” on its website, send a ParentSquare message to families, and present consultant findings at future board meetings.

The board did not adopt any construction plan, budget appropriation for capital work, or final consolidation timeline at the meeting. The district will solicit CEQA proposals and return to the board with cost estimates and technical work plans before any recommendation for consolidation is presented.

The board set its next meeting for Dec. 10 and adjourned the district meeting to reconvene briefly for county office business.

Votes and formal action: Motion to approve item 13.1 (rescind resolution 22-23-10 and authorize CEQA evaluation) — mover: Board Member Shane (motion), second: (recorded second on the transcript); vote: unanimous (7–0) — outcome: approved.