Parents and community members filled the Cambrian School District building on Thursday night, listening as the Board of Trustees voted to close Sartorette Elementary School amid a projected $2.6 million budget gap.

Despite implementing a plan to reduce deficit spending by about $2 million for the 2025-2026 school year, the district unexpectedly lost 142 students and $1.3 million in state funds — based on average daily attendance — over the summer. The district must keep a 3% budget reserve as required by state law or get a state bailout, which comes with “rigorous state and county oversight, loss of local control, extra expenses in paying off the loan, and other conditions that last for years” according to EdSource.

Formed in November 2025, the School Consolidation Advisory Committee met several times before recommending Sartorette for closure. 

Established 67 years ago, Sartorette was the first dependent charter school in the district, and it holds significance to many community members who showed up to the meeting wearing royal blue and Sartorette clothing. During time for public comments, some expressed concerns about a perceived lack of communication and rushed nature of the decision.

Board member Janet Gillis attended Sartorette, sent her children through the Cambrian School District and worked at several elementary schools in the district. During her remarks, she highlighted the school’s long history and strong community. 

“Sartorette is and will always be a family of staff, students and the community, and nothing’s going to ever change those ties that we have been fortunate to be part of,” Gillis said. “What we have to do here this evening is something that none of us wants to do. For me, this is the third worst day of my life, but we need to protect the future of our treasured Cambrian School District.”

Sartorette parent and former Branham student Brittni Richman attended the meeting to show support. 

“Cambrian love and Cambrian strong is a huge thing,” Richman said. “Through the anger and everything, we’ll learn how to work through it and see the love that we have for each other and the great community that we are.”