A New Building, Big Impacts: What’s Happening at Cherry Valley

Together, we can work with the school district to preserve the character, safety, and quality of life in Cherry Valley for both students and residents.

Cherry Valley is a neighborhood built on community, connection, and care for our environment. A recent expansion to MCCV was approved with limited neighbor input and with imminent plans to start construction in Cherry Valley Park*.

Our goal is simple: keep our neighbors informed, amplify our collective voice, and ensure that the planned expansion of MCCV is done with consideration for those who live here, raise families here, and attend school here.

We want to be clear: we fully support Mary Collins School and the students it serves. Strong schools make for strong communities, and we recognize the need for updated facilities.

At the same time, we believe that neighbors deserve a seat at the table in decisions that affect our safety, our streets, and our shared green space. Most importantly, we want assurance that all potential building locations on the Cherry Valley campus were carefully considered — and that the chosen site reflects the best balance between school needs and neighborhood impacts.

When big decisions are made without the voices of those most affected, the balance of our community is impacted and the trust and support of residents is negatively impacted.

What is the plan for the new junior high?

From the Petaluma City Schools meeting notes, “The project will replace four portable classrooms with a new two-story permanent building that includes seven classrooms, a resource room, office, and conference space. Restrooms, storage, and utility rooms are incorporated on both floors, and an elevator ensures ADA compliance.

The design emphasizes site integration, preserving adjacent green space and connecting to Cherry Valley Park. Covered walkways and landscaped areas enhance usability and aesthetics.

Following a detailed review and development process, the MCCV New Classroom Building Site Design Committee formally recommends that the Board of Trustees approve the Schematic Design dated May 1, 2025, as prepared by Dreiling Terrones Architecture Inc., for the new junior high classroom building at Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley. This approval will authorize the project team to proceed with the next design phases, including Design Development and Construction Documentation, in preparation for eventual construction.”

*Is Cherry Valley Park owned by the city?

While the park is included in the list of Petaluma city parks, the land is owned by the school district. We acknowledge and respect the school’s right to exercise their ownership of this land, but believe that the park and trees can continue to be enjoyed by the school and community, while still allowing for the responsible construction of new junior high classrooms.

Were we informed?

According to their website, “the committee held three structured meetings between January and April 2025, culminating in a schematic design that reflects extensive input and collaboration.”

As neighbors, we don’t feel that our input was adequately considered before the effort went into drafting plans, consulting architects, and green-lighting the extensive project. We expect that the district, in good faith, should consider the voices of their neighbors before allocating such extensive resources towards the project and we will continue to express our collective concerns around the current plans for the project.

Is there a better plan which accounts for safety, traffic and environmental impacts?

That is our goal — to ensure that all options are considered for the location and construction of the new classrooms.

There are numerous locations on campus which would allow for construction, enable dropoffs via the south entrance, and preserve Cherry Valley Park which is an important anchor for the school and community.

❊ FAQs

Questions? Here are some links to help you get involved and stay up-to-date.

  • We support constructive outreach by all of those concerned in the community. Please reach out to the Board of Education to let them know how the proposed plan impacts you. Here is a link to the Board of Education members.

  • The school board continues to meet to move the project forward, and it’s critical that our neighbors are present to voice their perspectives.

    Here is the schedule for upcoming board meetings: Upcoming Meetings

    Board meetings continue to be held in a hybrid format. You can join us in-person at 200 Douglas St, Petaluma in our Board Room, or online via Zoom, accessible via the link below:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87569176453
    Or One tap mobile :
        US: +16699006833
    Or Telephone:
        US: +1 669 900 6833

  • Visit this page for design plans shared by the school district.

  • We are working to better understand whether other locations were considered and how to best accommodate the needs of students and neighbors alike.

  • Cherry Valley Park is home to numerous old growth trees and valued public space. Many of these trees will need to be removed, as will the BBQ pit and picnic tables which are currently open to the community.

  • Cherry Street is already greatly impacted by school traffic. By constructing the junior high in its proposed location, existing congestion and safety concerns would be amplified, especially during dropoff/pickup times.