Alum Rock Union District's Board of Trustees votes to close 6 schools
After close to five hours of discussion and public comment, Alum Rock Union School District's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close six schools and consolidate four others.
The decision brought with it high emotions from both those in the public and those on the board.
"They deserve better than what we've been providing and we can provide a better education if we close some schools. Is everybody going to be affected? Yes. Is everybody going to be pissed off? Yes. But who's going to benefit in the end? Who is going to benefit the most? The children and they're learning and that's why I'm here," said Board President Linda Chavez.
The district said it's facing a fiscal crisis due to a significant decline in student enrollment in recent years.
The board said the school closures will help to balance the budget.
Still, many parents were not happy with the way the board when about deciding these closures and many voiced their displeasure in person at Monday night's meeting.
"It breaks my heart all of the schools are being considered for closure knowing that we are in one of the richest areas in California. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You are failing our students, you are failing our future," said one person during public comment.
"While school closures and consolidations are needed, and I agree with that are a short-term fix, we need to get to systemic reforms," said another person during public comment.
The board said all of the schools slated to close will do so at the end of this school year.
The attendance boundaries will then be reconfigured with affected students funneled into the next closest school.
