SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — A vote to possibly close or move six schools in San Jose’s biggest school district looms, but families are making one final effort to save their schools.
On Thursday, the San Jose Unified School District Board of Education will make its decision that has been months in the making.
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Lowell, Canoas, Terrell, Empire Gardens and Gardner elementary schools could close while the Hammer Montessori magnet program would relocate.
Some 1,6000 students could be impacted, depending on the all-important vote from the board.
“Title one schools exist for one reason: to serve children living in poverty,” Terrell Parent Maeve Naughton said. “Children who are black, brown, low income and in the foster care system – children who already carry burdens that most of us will never fully understand.”
Parents say the entire process of deciding the future of schools has been flawed, from violations of state and federal equity protections to a rushed timeline and even inaccurate reports.
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Now, this coalition of SJUSD families filed a formal uniform complaint to the district over these issues that can be taken up to the California Department of Education to try and stop the closures.
“What we hope is that this will cause the board to reflect and choose to either defer or vote no on this plan,” Hammer Montessori Parent David Friedlander said.
In a statement this week, San Jose Unified Superintendent Nancy Albarran says she recognizes that this process has been emotional but adds, “thoughtful school consolidations can greatly strengthen the educational experience by expanding instructional resources and student support.”
However, parents say there is nothing thoughtful about what this option will mean to these kids.
“Sorry, I’m getting a little emotional because again, it’s my own personal story,” Canoas Parent Amrita Sinha said. “These kids are the ones who need more support. They are the more needy ones and you’re taking them away from the society.”
The board of education will vote on the final schools of tomorrow plan at their board meeting Thursday at 6pm.
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