\u201cThe district intends to use the funds for one-time purposes that support the district\u2019s long-term fiscal stability and help protect student programs and services,\u201d Karyl Brandford, associate superintendent and chief business officer for Oak Grove School District, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight.<\/p>\n
The funding could also be used to support facilities, technology needs and retain educators and staff, she added.<\/p>\n
Brandford said Oak Grove, like many districts across the region, is facing the reality of declining enrollment<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery year as our student numbers shrink, our state funding, which is directly tied to student attendance, declines along with it,\u201d she said. \u201cThis proposed development represents a vital opportunity to stabilize our fiscal future.\u201d<\/p>\n The development, located at 511 Cozy Drive, includes 64 detached houses and 16 attached townhomes. Eleven homes will be priced at 80% of the Average Median Income (AMI) and reserved for low-income households. The Santa Clara County AMI for a family of four is $205,500. For an individual it\u2019s $143,850. For a low-income family of four it\u2019s $162400 or $113,700 for an individual.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n The two-story townhouses are 1,233 square feet and the detached homes are 1,896 to 2,234 square feet, with three or four bedrooms and two and a half or three bathrooms.<\/p>\n \u201cThe former Glider Elementary School property is well suited for housing because it is located within an established residential neighborhood,\u201d Kelley Rutchena, director of entitlements for True Life Companies<\/a>, told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThe project was thoughtfully designed with community input to provide a density compatible with the surrounding area, along with a 0.68-acre park that will be open to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n Brandford said although the district considered leasing Glider to private schools, it was concerned this could impact enrollment of its public schools.<\/p>\n \u201cThe potential loss of ongoing enrollment-based funding could have substantially exceeded the annual lease revenue,\u201d she said. \u201cThat potential impact could also increase over time as enrollment grew.\u201d<\/p>\n Chuck Cantrell, chair of the planning commission and a San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight columnist<\/a>, favors the project, especially as it includes affordable housing.<\/p>\n \u201cEleven of the units are deed restricted, (allowing) 11 families to actually achieve this American dream that we are all trying to recapture,\u201d he told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe need to ensure families can remain in this amazing city. I\u2019m trying to help build a community that we can all live in.\u201d<\/p>\n Cantrell said he was swayed by the property being vandalized and the school district needing funding to help bridge its financial shortfall. He said the development provides ample parking for residents and the homeowners association covered the park cost, which worked in its favor.<\/p>\n Residents expressed concerns that the development would change the quality and character of the neighborhood and negatively impact the environment, traffic, utilities and recreational space. Some requested reducing the number of houses and increasing the size of the park.<\/p>\n But resident Denise Liebscher, whose children attended Glider, is onboard with the housing.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe need more homes,\u201d she told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cTeachers need housing. Everybody needs a bed.\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Young, vice chair of the planning commission, said the only way to create more housing in the city is by increasing density.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be happening more, because it\u2019s the only way we\u2019re going to be able to meet our housing needs that the state of California has asked us to do,\u201d he said at the meeting. \u201cIt\u2019s such an expensive place to live \u2026 working families and families with children are moving out of San Jose, which is resulting in enrollment declines, and that makes it very difficult on the school districts.\u201d<\/p>\n San Jose is required to build 62,200 homes by 2031, according to its state-mandated\u00a0housing plan<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ivan Chaidez, superintendent of Oak Grove School District, said this is about taking a vacant, underutilized public asset and turning it into a lasting investment<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOur families, educators and staff understand that strong schools require responsible stewardship of every public resource entrusted to us,\u201d he said at the meeting. \u201cThey support moving this project forward because they understand what is at stake: The ability to invest in classrooms, technology, student services, safety and the programs our children depend on.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1788799330_2_interactive-321838904008.png\")
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