San Jose School District Considers Closing Up to 9 Elementary Schools

Parents demand new leadership and question use of $1.15 billion in bond funds

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) is considering closing up to nine elementary schools as early as August, a move met with opposition from thousands of parents. Despite the outcry, Superintendent Nancy Albarrán has not indicated a willingness to reconsider the closures, leading to calls for new district leadership. The district plans to consolidate schools to achieve an 'ideal' size, but parents and students maintain their schools already provide a high-quality education. The potential closures also raise equity concerns, as a racially integrated school is slated for closure and a disproportionate number of Black students could be displaced.

Why it matters

School closures, even under normal circumstances, can have negative impacts on student outcomes and community well-being. The current proposal, coupled with concerns about the district's leadership and a lack of transparency, raises serious questions about the priorities guiding these decisions. The closures could disrupt the lives of thousands of students, including young children and special education students.

The details

SJUSD is funded by local property taxes and, unlike some districts, is not financially obligated to close schools. In November 2024, voters approved Measure R, providing the district with $1.15 billion in bonds for school repairs and improvements. However, the district is now pursuing school closures instead of utilizing these funds as intended. A civil grand jury described SJUSD's leadership culture as characterized by 'tolerance for verbally abusive behaviors, lack of a safe space to communicate, (and) low morale.' The school board is the only entity with the power to address these concerns by removing the superintendent.

  • The San Jose Unified School District is considering closing up to nine elementary schools as early as August 2026.
  • In November 2024, voters approved Measure R, providing the district with $1.15 billion in bonds for school repairs and improvements.

The players

Nancy Albarrán

The Superintendent of the San Jose Unified School District who has not indicated a willingness to reconsider the school closures.

Seth Reddy

The Chief Business Officer of the San Jose Unified School District, who is a graduate of the Broad Academy and Broad Residency programs.

Rachel Carson Elementary

A racially integrated school that is slated for closure as part of the proposed school consolidation plan.

David Goldberg

The president of the California Teachers Association, who stated that 'Closing schools is the last thing we should be doing. Schools are a safety net in so many communities. … Disrupting that is a setback that is hard to undo.'

SJUSD Teachers Union President

The president of the San Jose Unified School District's teachers union, who has expressed support for the school closures, a position potentially influenced by the fact that the union president automatically serves on the Superintendent's cabinet.

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What they’re saying

“Closing schools is the last thing we should be doing. Schools are a safety net in so many communities. … Disrupting that is a setback that is hard to undo.”

— David Goldberg, President of the California Teachers Association

The takeaway

The proposed school closures in San Jose raise serious concerns about the district's leadership, transparency, and priorities. With the availability of $1.15 billion in bond funds for school improvements, the decision to pursue closures instead has left many parents and community members questioning the district's motives and commitment to providing quality education for all students.