SJUSD threatens Possibility of closing elementary schools

Local school board cancels upcoming vote to close area schools amid public backlash

San Jose Unified School District will make a decision on March 26 of possible closures of nine area schools, which could impact local parents and students.

The schools being considered for closure are Almaden, Anne Darling, Canoas, Gardner, Lowel, Rachel Carson, Selma Olinder, Simonds and Walter L. Bachrodt. This list is categorized as option 1, the first most likely to close, and option 2, which includes back-up closures. But only four schools are on both lists: Lowell, Gardner, Olinder and Carson Elementary. These campuses have a high population of Latino students. Lowell enrolls 62.1% Spanish speakers, Gardner 44.4%, Olinder 47.6%, and Carson 18.1%.

Many families and community members continue to show up to public meetings in order to protest against school closures. They show up with signs and voice their concerns but feel like the Schools of Tomorrow committee, a group whose stated mission is to “address declining enrollment in a positive, student-centered way,” is not listening to them. 

 According to the SJUSD website and the Schools of Tomorrow committee, there has been a 20% decline of enrollment since the 2017-2018 school year. This means their smallest elementary school only has 200 students and their largest has 800 or more students. The low number of students directly impacts the teachers, counselors, nurses, and others. Only a number of staff members can be reassigned to a different school.

The Schools of Tomorrow committee wrote a letter to the San Jose Unified Board of Education regarding the “Recommendation on Characteristics of an Ideal Elementary School,” which gave a list of what an ideal elementary school would look like. They encourage the board to implement those ideas, which includes: making sure that students get a well rounded education, help teachers, staff and administrators to improve in order to support students, and keep schools safe. The Board of Education approved the recommendation in December of last year. 

The committee, Schools of Tomorrow, states its purpose is to ‘ensure they are getting the most out of Measure R’. Measure R gives funding to schools for improvements. This was proposed and voted on in the 2024 election. It gives SJUSD a bond with $1.15 billion to improve facilities. This means SJUSD has the funding to open new classrooms, STEM labs, athletics, provide affordable housing for teachers and staff and also improve the safety of schools such as fire alarms. However, Measure R states that the funds cannot be used for salaries or any expense outside of the district.

If the Board decides to close the schools, affected families would have to travel further. The families of Carson Elementary will be hit the hardest due to the Special Education Program they house. Carson Elementary is committed to their students by offering free behavioral and mental health services. Carson Elementary has also added additions to their Special Ed classrooms such as a bathroom and an enclosed gate for the safety of their students. If this elementary school were to close, parents express their worries about the uncertainty of the future education of their children.