San Jose school measures sweeping to victory

Santa Clara County voters appear to have delivered a big victory to local school districts this election, with all five education measures leading by decisive margins.

The four bond measures and one parcel tax renewal are expected to provide millions of dollars for five local school districts to improve classroom space and address ongoing staff shortages, the digital divide and pandemic learning loss.

Measure N—East Side Union High School District 

The $572 million bond measure is sailing to victory with 65.4% support—far more than the 55% threshold for passage. It will generate approximately $35.7 million per year through 2050 to address the digital divide and provide support for career and technical programs as well as classroom upgrades.

“We are forever grateful for the community’s generosity and their investment in our students and district facilities,” J. Manuel Herrera, East Side Union High School District board president, told San José Spotlight. “Our first step is to ensure we have an equitable allocation of funds within and across our many school sites.”

Measure S—Alum Rock Union School District 

Current tallies show 70.4% of voters support renewing the $71.5 million bond previously approved in 2012. Measure S will raise $4.4 million per year to improve science, technology, engineering, art and math classrooms. Funds will also allow the district to support subsidized teacher housing projects to help recruit new educators.

The measure requires 55% voter approval to pass.

“I am grateful to the people of Alum Rock for choosing to secure the future for our children for years to come and saying no to the naysayers,” said Minh Pham, vice president of the district’s school board. “I am committed to ensuring community involvement as we proceed with Measure S, and I look forward to starting that process as soon as the vote is certified.”

Measure O—Campbell Union High School District 

The measure to renew an $85 parcel tax for the next decade appears likely to pass, with current tallies showing it has 74.8% support—far above the two-thirds threshold for approval. Measure O will raise $5 million a year to support career training programs, expand mental health services and provide additional stipends to help improve staff hiring and retention.

“We are so thankful to our community for their continued support,” Stacey Brown, president of the district’s school board, told San José Spotlight. “The renewal of our parcel tax allows Campbell Union High School District to continue our strategic vision to enable our students to construct their futures by attracting, retaining and developing top talent.”

Measure P—Oak Grove School District 

A $236 million bond measure to tackle the digital divide is leading with 63.8% support—well above the 55% threshold for passage. Measure P will raise $13 million per year to improve access to technology and upgrade labs and other facilities.

School officials were not immediately available for comment.

Measure R—Union School District 

A $128 million bond for infrastructure improvements such as roof repairs, new classrooms and labs appears heading toward passage, with current tallies showing 61.9% support. The measure requires 55% voter approval to pass.

School officials were not immediately available for comment.

Contact Loan-Anh Pham at [email protected] or follow @theLoanAnhLede on Twitter.