San Jose Parents and Students Face Uncertainty After School Closure Decision

Following the announcement that their schools will be permanently closed, parents and students in San Jose are working to understand what comes next.

This week, the Franklin-McKinley School District board voted 3-2 to shut down three elementary schools—McKinley, Ramblewood, and Los Arboles—before the next academic year due to financial struggles and declining student enrollment.

“It’s a very difficult time for the district, not just because of the school closures but also due to the layoffs. Closing schools was just one part of balancing our budget,” said Superintendent Juan Cruz.

The district is now evaluating how to adjust school boundaries and facilities to accommodate more students within fewer campuses.

Teachers from Valley Christian, who run a community bonding program with Los Arboles students, expressed disappointment over the closures.

“Most of these kids live in this neighborhood, and their parents can walk them to school,” said teacher Debbie Buron. “This will be a real hardship.”

Cruz emphasized the district’s commitment to maintaining specialized programs and ensuring that students’ new school commutes are as convenient as possible. “We want to keep them as close to their neighborhood as we can, offering transportation and ensuring a safe journey from their original school to the new one,” he stated.

Additionally, schools that remain open will undergo changes, including grade-level restructuring, to accommodate incoming students from the closed schools.