Keeping a room full of eighth graders engaged in an English class is no easy task, but special education teacher Allison Budlong is giving it her all.

"We can only do so much as human beings. You know, we can only stretch ourselves so thin for so long," said Budlong.

Students at Santa Rosa middle school and high school are on the same campus after six schools were shuttered this year to shave $25 million off the budget, according to district officials.

However, the Santa Rosa City Schools District is still facing a fiscal crisis that could result in a state takeover of the system. It would be the first of its kind in county history.

Declining enrollment has significantly impacted the district for years. Budlong said class sizes could soon become an issue.

"We're seeing huge numbers of

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