Parents and staff said Monday the decision to close three middle schools would have sweeping impacts on programming and raised questions about how the transition will be implemented.

After eight months of open meetings, Santa Rosa school officials on Wednesday decided to close three elementary schools to help offset a multi-million dollar deficit.

A series of consequences from COVID-19 and the continuing decline in birth rates is causing schools nationwide to downsize.

Emotional scenes unfolded in Santa Rosa school drop-off lines Thursday as families grappled with the closure of three elementary schools, leaving students, parents and educators facing uncertainty and difficult transitions.