FCUSD officials discuss interdistrict transfers, parents voice alarm over growing student population

Folsom-Cordova Unified School District officials hosted a public forum on March 27 at Folsom Middle School to have an open dialogue with parents over their concerns about interdistrict transfers and the threat of school overcrowding in the future. This came on the heels of an official announcement on the FCUSD website that effective March 25, "FCUSD will no longer accept new interdistrict transfer requests for Vista del Lago High School and Folsom High School for the 2025-26 school year due to overcrowding and limited resources. This decision ensures we can continue to provide the highest quality education and support to our currently enrolled students." The topic of projected student population growth and interdistrict transfers has become heated in the community, with many parents expressing frustration with how school officials are navigating these challenges. Angela Griffin, chief communications officer for FCUSD, said the goal of the forum was to connect directly with the community; in school board meetings, per law, board members cannot respond to public comments. Superintendent Erik Swanson fielded the majority of questions and comments from parents. "We sincerely hope the goal was accomplished in providing information and hearing the concerns of families, noting what's on the hearts and minds of the community that the district serves. To that end, I think it was a productive evening," said Griffin. "I think as the superintendent stated, we're going to share information. You may like some of it, you may not like some of it. But we are committed to telling you the truth and we're committed to telling you the information in real time, now, and as we learn it. And that's an ongoing commitment." While there were many more chairs available than there were parents in attendance, those who did show up came with many questions and comments. One parent who preferred to remain anonymous said she appreciated the gesture of the forum by school officials, yet she was also frustrated that despite the freeze on interdistrict transfers as of March 25, a group of new interdistrict transfers was accepted for the 2025-26 school year before the freeze took effect. "It's hard to fathom why the district decided, given the capacity numbers they presented about Folsom High (currently at 99.7 percent capacity and projected to be up to 141 percent by 2030), that it would make sense to enroll interdistrict transfers for next school year, who will then stay at the school for four years. It seems like a lack of foresight and planning," said the parent. Griffin said the district approved 84 interdistrict transfers into Folsom High for the 2025-26 school year; this current school year, there are 235 interdistrict transfers at Folsom High School. School officials have said they hope to get a bond measure on the 2026 ballot which would fund new schools which are desperately needed, especially a high school in the new development south of Highway 50, and a new elementary school. "We can calculate numbers based on data that we know now for the future. Of course, that number can change because we only know what we know right now," explained Griffin. "But what we know now is we are foreseeing growth and we are identifying areas in which we would need to accommodate that growth. And part of that is funding. A big part of that is funding." Parents at the forum said they're concerned the district is pinning all its hopes on a bond measure passing, without planning for a potential worst-case scenario: a school bond measure suffering the same fate as Measure G in Folsom, a tax initiative which soundly failed in last November's election. Another parent, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said she's cynical this community still has an appetite for more taxes to fund school projects. "We have not been pleased with how the district has used the money and resources it currently has (expensive, over-the-top elementary schools and administrative building)," said the parent. "I think many parents are wary of any increase in taxes. While we all want what is best for our students and community at large, I believe the district has a long way to go to earn trust back with Folsom residents." "The meeting left me feeling concerned that they don't have a good handle on the situation and don't have a solid plan for accommodating the growth south of 50 other than assuming a bond for new school construction will pass, and I think that seems pretty unlikely," added the other parent. The forum was scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. but went nearly an hour over due to ongoing dialogue, and Superintendent Swanson was more than happy to continue the conversation. While concerns and questions remain in the community about the heavy growth looming, Swanson said this was the first of other forums, with school officials clearly wanting to build on the dialogue. "One of the common things we heard is people love our schools," said Griffin. "People moved here, people are delighted to have their children in our schools, and I think we all have a common goal in that we want our schools to be able to expand and thrive and serve the children in our community."