The San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) is considering closing up to nine elementary schools as early as August, a move met with opposition from thousands of parents. Despite this outcry, Superintendent Nancy Albarrán has not indicated a willingness to reconsider the closures, leading to calls for new district leadership.
Funding and Priorities
SJUSD is funded by local property taxes and, unlike some districts, is not financially obligated to close schools. In November 2024, voters approved Measure R, providing the district with $1.15 billion in bonds for school repairs and improvements. However, the district is now pursuing school closures instead of utilizing these funds as intended.
The district plans to consolidate schools to achieve an “ideal” size of three to four classes per grade level, redistributing students from smaller schools. While Superintendent Albarrán claims this will improve quality, parents and students maintain their schools already provide a high-quality education.
Concerns Over Leadership and Equity
A civil grand jury described SJUSD’s leadership culture as characterized by “tolerance for verbally abusive behaviors, lack of a safe space to communicate, (and) low morale.” The school board is the only entity with the power to address these concerns by removing the superintendent.
The potential closures raise equity concerns. Though SJUSD was ordered by a judge to desegregate in 1986 but has not fully done so, Rachel Carson Elementary, a racially integrated school, is slated for closure. Of the under 240 Black elementary students in SJUSD, representing 2.2% of the total, as many as 36% could be displaced, compared to 13% of white students.
David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, stated that “Closing schools is the last thing we should be doing. Schools are a safety net in so many communities. … Disrupting that is a setback that is hard to undo.” The president of SJUSD’s teachers union, however, has expressed support for the closures, a position potentially influenced by the fact that the union president automatically serves on the Superintendent’s cabinet.
If the closures proceed, thousands of students could be displaced in August, with some as young as four or five years old facing walks of up to 1.5 miles to their new classrooms. Special education students may likewise experience disruption to their routines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stated reason for the school closures?
SJUSD intends to consolidate schools to achieve an “ideal” size of three to four classes per grade level.
Was the use of bond funds for school closures disclosed to voters?
No, SJUSD did not disclose that it would seek to close schools when voters approved Measure R, which provided $1.15 billion in bonds for school repairs and improvements.
What has been said about the district’s leadership?
A civil grand jury described SJUSD’s leadership culture as “characterized by tolerance for verbally abusive behaviors, lack of a safe space to communicate, (and) low morale.”
What are the potential consequences of these closures for students and families in San Jose?
