Despite concerns from the teachers union, district leaders say the new bilingual program will expand opportunities and honor Calistoga’s cultural roots.
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Calistoga students will soon have the chance to learn in both English and Spanish from their very first day of school.
Following months of study sessions, site visits and sometimes polarized community debate, the Calistoga Joint Unified School District board voted unanimously Monday night to launch a dual language immersion program at the elementary school starting in the 2026-27 academic year.
“Over the last year, I’ve received the message that this community wants more Spanish and it’s really important that we address that,” Board President Stephanie Rothberg-Allan said.
Dual language immersion programs offer academic instruction in both English and another language — in this case, Spanish — with the goal of helping students achieve bilingualism, strong academic performance and cross-cultural fluency. The model supports both English speakers and native Spanish speakers learning side by side, according to the California Department of Education.
The vote follows a grassroots push that began last year, when about 100 community members — most of them parents — signed a petition urging the district to explore bilingual education. With nearly 90% of Calistoga’s students identifying as Hispanic or Latino, supporters argued the program would better reflect the district’s cultural identity and prepare students for a global future. More than one-third of Calistoga students are English learners.
District leaders spent the past year weighing their options. They commissioned an independent study, hosted board workshops and sent delegations, including parents, to visit bilingual programs in neighboring counties and attend a statewide conference on bilingual education.
“I feel like the district really heard us and I’m so proud of the board,” said Claire Weinkauf, a parent who consistently advocated for the program. “Dual language immersion is a tremendous gift for the community. It will give new energy to the school district.”
But not everyone was on board. The district’s teachers union has opposed the program since last fall, warning that a major shift could disrupt recent gains in student performance. Union leaders cited the district’s prior attempt at bilingual instruction, which was discontinued roughly two decades ago due to concerns about low test scores.
Union president Matthew Gudenius did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday’s vote. During the meeting, union vice president Eric Heitz delivered a report on behalf of Calistoga Associated Teachers but did not address the dual immersion decision.
Despite the division, Weinkauf said she hopes the focus now turns to unity. “We just need to move forward,” she said.
The 790-student district estimates the program will cost no more than $120,000 over the next five years. It will launch in 2026-27 with kindergarten and first-grade classes, then expand by one grade each year. Participation will be optional and initially capped at one-third of students.
To increase Spanish access for older students, the board also approved afterschool instruction — potentially starting this August — at a cost of up to $112,000 over five years. A third proposal to hire an additional Spanish teacher was rejected due to its higher price tag of $646,000 over five years.
Calistoga now joins a growing number of districts across California embracing bilingual education, including Napa Valley Unified, where dual immersion has become a signature program. For Calistoga, the decision marks a return to bilingual learning and a new chapter for a community where two languages are already part of daily life.
You can reach Tarini Mehta at 707-521-5337 or tarini.mehta@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @MehtaTarini.
