Facilities Planning

BONSALL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A Collaborative Effort to Address Facility Planning and Community Needs

BONSALL, CA — The Bonsall Unified School District (BUSD) proudly announces the formation of an advisory committee to develop a comprehensive plan for facility upgrades, maintenance, and potential school site configurations and school attendance boundaries that best serve students and the broader community. This step follows the district’s commitment to transparency and collaboration—particularly significant in light of three consecutive bond measures that did not pass.

“The Bonsall Unified School District remains deeply committed to working hand-in-hand with our community to overcome challenges and shape the future of education for our students,” said Dr. Heather Golly, BUSD Superintendent. “This advisory committee will play a crucial role in exploring creative solutions and making informed decisions about our facilities and school site configurations.”

Grounded in Vision, Mission, and Values

At the heart of BUSD’s work is a clear vision:  “All students in Bonsall Unified School District engage in rigorous and relevant learning experiences that inspire them to be productive community members and future-ready, lifelong learners.”

This vision is supported by the district’s Mission: “We empower all students to thrive in a positive, safe, and supportive environment through high quality education focused on the whole learner.”

Underlying these guiding principles are the district’s Values of Service, Innovation, Collaboration, and Integrity, which shape every decision:

• Service: Acting with integrity while supporting our community with pride and compassion.
• Innovation: Pushing boundaries and creatively improving what is possible by challenging fixed mindsets.
• Collaboration: Leveraging the collective expertise, perspectives, and strengths of our community to provide a comprehensive educational experience.
• Integrity: Ensuring transparency and accountability in all practices to honor the trust placed in the district.

These tenets will guide the advisory committee’s work, ensuring that facility planning and district growth align with BUSD’s unwavering commitment to educating the “whole learner.”

A Rich History of Community and Education

The Bonsall Unified School District has a long tradition of serving the local community, dating back to 1895 when it began as a one-room schoolhouse. Until 2014, the district operated as a union district, serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, with high school students attending Fallbrook High School.

In the early 2000s and 2010s, Fallbrook High experienced severe overcrowding. A dedicated group of parents led a grassroots effort to place a proposition on the ballot, asking the Bonsall and Fallbrook communities whether they desired a new high school in Bonsall. The proposition passed, paving the way for the creation of the Bonsall Unified School District in 2014.  The district now serves students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade.  The high school’s size (currently with an enrollment of approximately 350 students) allows for a more flexible and personalized experience.  

“Bonsall High is a place where every teacher gets to know you and students have an opportunity to take part in creating their experience,” commented Sophomore Aaron Arellano.  “I’ve started clubs, reinstated the E-sports team. I also play baseball and I’m in Speech and Debate, Mock Trial, and Theater. I’ve also already taken six college classes at Palomar. I love BHS. You can really try things out and discover new interests.”  

BHS is developing an identity as a more personalized “early college” high school with hands-on learning pathways in law, medicine, and engineering with graduates being accepted to top tier colleges across the nation. Simultaneously, last year several seniors graduated from high school with an associate teacher certification from Palomar College. “Our early college program has seen tremendous success in enabling first generation college students to go to college and explore new opportunities for their future while still in the protective environment of high school,” said Early College and CTA Coordinator, Eryn Barker. “We are on a mission to expand this program so that all students understand that college means more than just a four year experience; there are many paths and BHS priorities students explore all possibilities.”

Since unification, BUSD has worked diligently in partnership with the Bonsall community, striving to ensure that the needs and aspirations of students, staff, families, and all educational partners are at the forefront of every decision.

A Call for Community Participation

To continue this tradition of partnership and community involvement, the district invites individuals from every trustee area—as well as interested educators, district leaders, parents, and students—to apply for the newly formed advisory committee. Bringing these diverse voices to the table will help shape the roadmap for facility updates, maintenance, and possible school site configurations so that BUSD can remain a safe and inspiring place for all learners.

Applications for the advisory committee will be open through February 1, 2025. For more information or to apply, please email [email protected]. Meetings are scheduled for the following dates: February 6, March 19, and May 14, 2025; 5:00-6:30 PM.

By honoring its roots, engaging the community, and adhering to its Vision, Mission, and Values, the Bonsall Unified School District is forging ahead to ensure a bright and successful future for students from TK–12th grade.