San Jose Unified School Board Election Focuses on Restoring Trust After Campus Closures
The upcoming November election for the San Jose Unified School District Board features candidates campaigning on promises to restore community trust and prevent further school closures. This election follows public outrage earlier this year when the board voted to close five elementary campuses. Two seats on the five-member board are open, with candidates vying for positions representing specific neighborhoods. The board is responsible for setting local policies, approving the district's budget, and managing school facilities for over 24,000 students. The decision to close schools, part of the 'Schools of Tomorrow' initiative, was prompted by a 20% decline in student enrollment since 2019. Families protested the closures, arguing they would disproportionately affect minority, low-income, and special education students. A Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report in 2024 also criticized the district's board for a lack of transparency and community engagement, particularly regarding public access to meeting...
