Emotional scenes unfolded in Santa Rosa school drop-off lines Thursday as families grappled with the closure of three elementary schools, leaving students, parents and educators facing uncertainty and difficult transitions.

After eight months of open meetings, Santa Rosa school officials on Wednesday decided to close three elementary schools to help offset a multi-million dollar deficit.

A series of consequences from COVID-19 and the continuing decline in birth rates is causing schools nationwide to downsize.

The Santa Rosa City Schools will close six campuses in the face of a $20 million deficit. The Press Democrat and NorCal Public Media are hosting another virtual event to help you make sense of it all.