Goleta Union School District history

Farmer’s kids living in the foothills couldn’t walk all the way to Rafaela/Goleta School every day, so they started holding classes in a barn on the Maria Ygnacia Ranch in 1874.

1875: Rafaela School is built near the southwest corner of the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Hollister Avenue.

Concerned parents and residents paid Captain R.P. Tucker $50 for an acre of land and in 1877, they built this one room country school.

In 1881, a new schoolhouse, shown here, was built further north, on the east side of Fairview Avenue.

1883: "Two-Story School" replaces Rafaela School at 177 South Patterson Avenue.

La Patera School was moved again in 1895 to La Patera Lane, just north of today’s railroad.Due to its proximity to the slough and all the waterfowl, La Patera students were called the “Webfoots”.

1909: Rafaela School name is changed to Goleta School by popular petition.

1911: Goleta School is built to replace "Two-Story School," which is deemed a firetrap.The new school is a one-story building with arched entrance and bell tower.

The Goleta Union School District has its origins in the consolidation in 1925 of the first three small elementary schools in the Goleta Valley, Cathedral Oaks, La Patera, and Goleta, known earlier as Rafaela School.

Land was purchased from the Begg family on the south side of Hollister Avenue, just west of San Jose Creek. It had previously been the location two different saloons.A building design by Santa Maria architect Louis N. Crawford was chosen and construction began at the end of 1926.

1927: Goleta Union School opens at 5679 Hollister Avenue.

The building is eventually moved in 1928 to the rear of the current Goleta Union site on Hollister Avenue.

1929: Ellwood Union School is formed and incorporates Den School and Tecolote School.

1946: Doctor Ian Crow is named principal of Goleta Union School.

Until 1957, the District operated one school, Goleta Union, on Hollister Avenue.

1959: Isla Vista School opens on El Colegio Road.

1961: Fairview School opens on North Fairview Avenue.

1962: Hollister School opens on Anita Lane, south of Hollister Avenue.

1963: La Patera School opens on La Patera Lane, south of Cathedral Oaks Road.

1965: El Camino School opens on San Simeon Drive, north of Hollister Avenue, west of Turnpike Road.

1966: Mountain View School opens on Queen Ann Lane, north of Cathedral Oaks Road and west of Patterson Avenue.

1968: El Rancho School opens on Mirano Drive, south of Cathedral Oaks and west of Glen Annie Road.

1969: Brandon School opens as the District's thirteenth school, on Brandon Drive, south of Cathedral Oaks Road and west of Glen Annie Road.

1972: Doctor Robert Welling is named superintendent.

1974: Doctor William Paulo is named superintendent.

In 1977, he became the GUSD Director of Facilities.

The school remains open until 1978.

Opened on a slim budget, it immediately began to meet local needs with a small, but dedicated staff.The 1980’s brought budget cuts, and it looked like the Goleta Community Center would have to be sold.

At a well attended public meeting in 1983, the people made it clear that they felt the school building was a “landmark worth saving” and that the center was a “vital Goleta institution”. In 1983, the County saved the day and purchased the property from the school district.

In 1984, the County, and in turn, the City of Goleta, sublet the property to the Goleta Valley Community Center’s board of directors.

The Vietnam Memorial was established in 1986 by the Exchange Club of Goleta, recognizing the sacrifice of those who served during the Vietnam War.

1987: Doctor Richard B. Shelton is named superintendent.

1996: Brandon School reopens.

An El Camino Real bell was dedicated September 24th, 1997, in front of the Goleta Valley Community Center, commemorating the route of the old El Camino Real and Highway 101, both of which used to run through Old Town Goleta, where Hollister Avenue is today.

1999: El Camino School reopens.

2000: Ida Rickborn is named superintendent.

2001: District enrollment declines again to 4,331 students.

2002: District enrollment declines to 4,110.

2005: Doctor Kathleen Boomer is named superintendent.

2012: William Banning is named superintendent.

In 2013, the City of Goleta purchased the property.

At the end of the lease in 2014, the City of Goleta will have the option to purchase the leased premises and use them for whatever purposes best suit the needs of the City and the community.

2017: Doctor Donna Lewis is named superintendent.

2021: Doctor Diana Roybal is named superintendent.