ANOTHER SAN JOSE college district is closing colleges because of declining enrollment and a multimillion-dollar funds deficit.
After intense debate and a two-week postponement, the Franklin-McKinley Faculty District board of trustees voted 3-2 at its Feb. 25 assembly to shut three elementary colleges. Board President George Sanchez, Vice President Steven Sanchez and Trustee Hong Ha Hoang supported the closures, whereas Trustees Rudy Rodriguez and Marc Cooper voted in opposition to it.
Los Arboles Literacy & Expertise Academy, Ramblewood Elementary and McKinley Elementary will shut by subsequent college 12 months, following suggestions from a consolidation advisory committee. The board additionally voted to have Lairon Faculty Preparatory Academy and George Shirakawa Sr. Elementary Faculty serve grades Ok-6. Lairon at present serves grades 4-8 and Shirakawa Elementary serves Ok-8.
Steven Sanchez acknowledged the hardship of closing colleges, however mentioned it’s the board’s accountability to make sure Franklin-McKinley is financially solvent. The struggling college district faces declining enrollment and an nearly $23 million funds shortfall.
“Even though this is a difficult decision, it’s one that had to be made,” he mentioned on the assembly.
Resulting from low enrollment and a funds shortfall, the Franklin-McKinley Faculty District is closing three elementary colleges. (Lorraine Gabbert/San Jose Highlight)
Michael Nice, chief government officer of California’s Fiscal Disaster and Administration Help Workforce, mentioned if the district didn’t act it could run out of money by subsequent February and find yourself beneath state management for shut to twenty years.
“This is your fiduciary duty. If you allow this district to get to a position of not being able to meet its financial obligations, that is on all of you,” Nice advised trustees throughout public remark. “Closing a school is the most difficult decision you will ever make as a board member. Don’t leave it to an outsider.”
Following development of enrollment declines
District enrollment has decreased for the reason that 2011-12 college 12 months from 9,673 college students to five,766, in line with college officers. Declining enrollment is a statewide challenge, and different native districts are closing colleges, together with the Berryessa Union Faculty District and Alum Rock Union Faculty District.
“This is your fiduciary duty. If you allow this district to get to a position of not being able to meet its financial obligations, that is on all of you. … Don’t leave it to an outsider.”
Michael Nice, California’s Fiscal Disaster and Administration Help Workforce
“There may or may not be future funding, we can’t depend on that at this time,” George Sanchez advised San José Highlight. “I’m hoping we get more funding. If we got enough funding, we may keep a school or two, bring them back in the fold.”
Dad or mum Joanna Ramirez expressed concern on the long-term influence closing colleges could have on college students.
“We feel devastated,” Ramirez advised San José Highlight. “What is this going to do to the community we have built at our schools where our kids have built connections? It’s just very hard.”
This story initially appeared in San Jose Highlight.
