Special education students and their families will have to leave their neighborhood schools as San Jose’s largest school district consolidates classes.
San Jose Unified School District is closing Special Day Class (SDC) programs at Graystone, Schallenberger and Empire Gardens elementary schools next school year due to low enrollment. The program helps students with a specific diagnosis such as autism and others with individual needs. Parents said the part of the program serving individual needs will only be available at three of the district’s 27 elementary schools: Washington, Grant and Allen at Steinbeck.
Parent Jordan Wong was shocked by the abrupt way the district informed parents about the program ending and parents’ lack of involvement in the decision.
“For a special needs child, to change an environment for that child they’ve been thriving in, and also affect staff that are being very effective, disheartens me,” he told San José Spotlight. “To receive an email … that just said Special Day Class will not be offered next year, and your child will be going to another school … feels disempowering as a parent when … you’ve been told by the district it’s a partnership.”
SJUSD Director of Special Education Christopher Metcalfe, Chief Business Officer Seth Reddy and Superintendent Nancy Albarrán did not respond to requests for comment.
“At this time, we do not have a comment on this matter,” district spokesperson Esme Bautista told San José Spotlight.
At the March 27 school board meeting, Trustee Nicole Gribstad’s request for the issue to be added to the agenda was denied.
“The decision-making process did not include all stakeholders — parents, teachers and key advocates who play a critical role in these students’ educational journeys,” Gribstad said. “No major decision should be made without inclusive dialogue and careful consideration of those directly impacted. As trustees, we must uphold our duty to be leaders who serve, engage and advocate for the best interests of our students and families.”
Parent Becca Wong said the district’s decision shows a lack of understanding of how much this will affect children sensitive to change.
“The school district made a decision based on financial costs, but it’s our children who are going to be paying,” she told San José Spotlight. “It does not seem appropriate to have the most vulnerable population pay the cost of their decision.”
Parent Aaron Moffitt said his daughter relies on support provided by the SDC program, including occupational therapy, Adapted Physical Education and speech. In the future, these offerings would be split between schools, he said, and only available at specific times, regardless of her schedule. He said closing SDC programs removes resources and splits the community apart.
“It’s not just the … SDC kids that are going to be impacted by this, it’s all the other kids that need support in the school,” he told San José Spotlight, adding the larger community will also miss out on learning compassion for people who are different from them.
Metcalfe and Reddy met with parents at Graystone last month to discuss the closure decision. Gribstad, who attended at the request of parents, shares their frustration.
“What I got that day, which broke my heart with them, is … ‘We are closing. You are not included. Once we make a decision we don’t reverse it,'” she told San José Spotlight. “But board policy says it’s a trustee’s responsibility to revisit anything as long as necessary to push the district forward. I’m really surprised they’re saying once we make a decision, that’s it. One way conversation. I’m in shock.”
Gribstad said there’s a greater cost to closing a thriving SDC program, including the emotional toll on students and parents.
“I would not touch such a program,” she said. “Students are improving, they love the teacher. It’s a win. I would like to see at least minimally all stakeholders being in the conversation. That’s minimal in the communication of trust and partnership.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
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