San Jose Parents Rally Against Proposed Elementary School Closures

Hundreds of parents, students, and community members gathered at the San Jose Unified School District headquarters on February 10, 2026, to protest the potential closure of up to nine elementary schools. This initiative, known as the “Schools of Tomorrow,” was introduced to address significant enrollment declines, which have seen nearly 6,000 students leave the district since 2017. The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposed closures by March 12, 2026.

The meeting saw more than 100 attendees fill the district’s main conference room, with many more waiting in overflow spaces and outside the building, which was locked at maximum capacity. Parents of students from at-risk schools, including Lowell Elementary and Williams Elementary, expressed their concerns about the implications of the closures on their communities.

“I worry about what this could mean for lower-income communities and our families,” said Lizeth Hernandez, a parent at Lowell Elementary. “We’re already facing a very difficult time. The changes will put our kids at risk of suffering more, especially as they are just starting to recover academically and emotionally from the pandemic.”

The proposed closures are part of the district’s strategy to reduce operational costs and improve educational quality. According to district officials, the anticipated outcome includes a focus on consolidating resources and enhancing the remaining schools. Three main options are on the table, each outlining different schools that would be closed or relocated.

The options on the table include:

– **Option 1**: Closes nine elementary schools and relocates Hammer Montessori from Ernesto Galarza Elementary to Rachel Carson Elementary.

– **Option 2**: Closes nine elementary schools, including Empire Gardens Elementary and Walter L. Bachrodt Elementary.

– **Option 3**: Closes eight elementary schools, maintaining Croydon at Los Alamitos Elementary but closing Ernesto Galarza and Williams Elementary.

These proposals have sparked debate among parents regarding the long-term implications for their children. Yurie Doubov, a parent at Los Alamitos, voiced his concerns about reassignment to lower-performing institutions if the closures go forward. “If change is inevitable, it should not result in a clear loss of educational quality for our children,” he stated.

Community members like Priya Ghandikota, a parent at Williams Elementary, highlighted the potential displacement of families. “Our analysis shows that options two and three would displace more than 1,000 students and move them into lower-performing schools. That’s not just disruptive; it’s directionally wrong,” she said.

The implementation committee, comprised of parents, district staff, and educators, discussed alternatives beyond the three primary options. Some community members advocated for a moratorium on school closures, urging the committee to consider a fourth option that delays decisions and explores financial alternatives. Board member Nicole Gribstad echoed this sentiment, advocating for a pause to allow more thorough analysis.

Ultimately, the committee did not approve a fourth option to halt closures. Instead, they voted to combine elements of the first two proposals, aiming to prioritize student transportation and special education programs. They also proposed a plan to move all students from closing schools to one new location, rather than dispersing them across multiple schools. The third option was removed from consideration.

The San Jose Unified School District plans to reconvene on February 24, 2026, for further discussions. The proposed closures highlight ongoing challenges within the district as it grapples with declining enrollment and the impact on local communities. As the school board prepares for its upcoming vote, the voices of concerned parents and community members continue to resonate, emphasizing the need for thoughtful consideration of the future of education in San Jose.