Special Education Cuts Could Strain Teachers In Santa Clara County

The Board of Education is expected to vote on the layoffs in June when it adopts a budget for the next fiscal year.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Special education teachers in Santa Clara County are facing a new round of layoffs, on top of massive cuts last year that left educators managing larger classes of students with serious medical and behavioral needs. The Santa Clara County Office of Education plans to cut eight classes for preschoolers, the 'medically fragile' and other special education students across six schools in the upcoming 2026-27 school year, resulting in about 31 layoffs.

Why it matters

The cuts come as special education teachers are already struggling with larger class sizes and fewer staff to support students with significant medical and behavioral needs. Teachers say the situation has led to more student behavioral problems and less one-on-one time, which is crucial for these students.

The details

Due to declining enrollment, the Santa Clara County Office of Education plans to cut eight classes for preschoolers, the 'medically fragile' and other special education students across six schools in the upcoming 2026-27 school year. That translates to about 31 layoffs, according to union leaders. Officials said the layoffs aren't final and could be rescinded. The Board of Education is expected to vote on the layoffs in June when it adopts a budget for the next fiscal year.

  • The Santa Clara County Office of Education plans to cut the classes in the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
  • The Board of Education is expected to vote on the layoffs in June when it adopts a budget for the next fiscal year.

The players

Santa Clara County Office of Education

The agency that provides special education services to 31 school districts across the county.

Sarah Gianocaro

An occupational therapist for preschoolers and transitional kindergarteners who has worked at the Office of Education for 20 years.

Jennifer Gravem

A spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Victoria Chon

The Board President of the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Michelle Oliver

An early childhood and special education teacher who has been with the Office of Education since the late 1990s and is now an intervention teacher.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Now hours are spent putting out fires. It's been a full school year and we're still seeing a lot of these behaviors — hitting their heads with their fists, etc. — that these kids did not have last year.”

— Sarah Gianocaro, Occupational therapist and union leader

“No student will be placed in an inappropriate or noncompliant educational setting. Students will continue to receive services consistent with their IEPs, whether delivered by (the office of education) or by their home districts. Services are aligned to district demand and student enrollment, not reduced arbitrarily.”

— Jennifer Gravem, Spokesperson, Santa Clara County Office of Education

“I know there's optics to it — it's been beautifully remodeled as an early learning center — but these kids are going to school in an office building. It doesn't matter how pretty it is, there's no playground and there's no chance for inclusion. They're going to keep those classes open and close the classes on normal school sites with continuity and access to peers. It makes no sense whatsoever.”

— Michelle Oliver, Intervention teacher

“My hope is that (the office of education) will negotiate with us in good faith.”

— Riju Krishna, President, Association of County Educators

What’s next

The Board of Education is expected to vote on the layoffs in June when it adopts a budget for the next fiscal year.

The takeaway

These special education cuts come at a time when teachers are already struggling with larger class sizes and fewer resources to support students with significant medical and behavioral needs. The situation has led to more student behavioral problems and less one-on-one time, which is crucial for these vulnerable students. The potential layoffs raise concerns about the quality of education and support these students will receive going forward.