San Jose Unified school closure plan echoes Oakland proposal that drew state civil rights warning

"More schools attended by minority students, English language learners and low-income students face closure or consolidation under the plan San Jose officials announced earlier this month, while campuses with larger white student populations are largely spared. Of the schools currently listed for closure, 10 enroll a higher share of Hispanic or Latino students than the districtwide average of 55%. Six exceed the district's 2% Black enrollment average, and 11 enroll more English learners than the district average of 24%."

"Education advocates say that's because the district's methodology relies heavily on enrollment size and facility conditions criteria they argue can disadvantage schools in historically underinvested communities."

"It feels like we're being pushed out of our area, Gonzales said. We feel a bit hopeless and like this is discrimination towards our school."

San Jose Unified School District's proposed closure of up to nine elementary schools mirrors a 2022 Oakland plan that state officials determined would harm Black and low-income students. Analysis shows schools targeted for closure enroll higher percentages of Hispanic/Latino students, Black students, and English learners compared to district averages, while schools with above-average white enrollment are largely protected. The closures concentrate in downtown and east San Jose neighborhoods. Education advocates attribute this disparity to the district's methodology emphasizing enrollment size and facility conditions, criteria that disadvantage historically underinvested communities. The district faces declining enrollment, having lost nearly 20% of students since 2017, now serving approximately 25,000 students. The school board is expected to vote on the plan by March 12.

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