An East San Jose school district superintendent has recommended closing seven schools and consolidating others.
On the heels of Alum Rock Union School District’s consolidation committee selection of 13 schools to close or consolidate, Superintendent Germán Cerda has narrowed his choices. He proposes closing Aptitud Community Academy at Goss, Donald J. Meyer Elementary School, Horace Cureton Elementary School, Joseph George Middle School, Lyndale Elementary School, Renaissance Academy at Fischer and Sylvia Cassell Elementary School.
In addition, Cerda suggests moving LUCHA Academy to San Antonio Elementary School and combining Painter Elementary School with Sheppard Middle School and Millard McCollam Elementary. Students in the Vietnamese Dual Language Immersion program will consolidate with Sheppard Middle School and students in the Structured English Immersion program will attend Millard McCollam Elementary. Following his recommendation, Chavez Early Learning Center would only serve ages 0-preschool, relocating transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes to San Antonio Elementary School.
The district’s effort is the result of multiple factors, including a $20 million budget deficit. Enrollment has dropped from more than 10,000 students in 2015-16, to a projected 7,270 students in 2024-25. Declining enrollment, plus the loss of temporary COVID relief funds have left the district in the red.
Cerda will present his recommendations to the ARUSD Board of Trustees at a public hearing on Nov. 14, with the board making its final decision on Dec. 2. School closures and consolidations will go into effect for the 2025-26 school year.
“Currently, district funds are stretched across partially full schools.” Cerda said in a statement. “By consolidating and closing schools, we can reallocate these funds to enhance essential programs and increase academic and enrichment opportunities across the district.”
Parent Christine Villareal, whose comments are on the district website, agrees. The district has untapped potential and it’s important to envision it for the future, she said. East Side students deserve something great and this process allows the district to consolidate resources and dream bigger.
Criteria for school closures includes a district equity analysis, enrollment trends, proximity to charter schools, the condition of existing facilities and recent renovations, special programs and the cost savings needed, ARUSD spokesperson Sergio Diaz Luna said. Staffing will be reduced districtwide to help close the budget shortfall, he added.
“No one in our community wants to close schools, including me,” Cerda told San José Spotlight. “We will continue to gather feedback and communicate with families throughout this process to identify and minimize disruptions in the transition. Looking ahead, this process is an opportunity to build a brighter future for ARUSD.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
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