SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — The San Jose Unified School District may close some of its elementary schools due to a significant drop in enrollment, which has decreased by about 20% over the past seven years.
The district’s enrollment decline is markedly higher than trends seen statewide. In 2008, the district served approximately 10,000 more students than it does today, while maintaining the same number of elementary schools. This has led district officials to form a committee called “Schools of Tomorrow” to explore potential solutions.
President Renata Sanchez of the San Jose Unified Teachers’ Union, highlighted the severity of the situation, saying, “We have 10K less students than when I started…but the same number of elementary schools.” She noted that some elementary schools currently operate with only one class per grade level, which is unsustainable for maintaining quality education…