San Jose USD closes 5 elementary schools after 20% enrollment drop.

The article focuses on the San Jose Unified School District's plan to close five of its 26 elementary schools by the end of the 2025-26 school year due to a 20% enrollment decline since 2017-18, attributed to lower birthrates and high Bay Area living costs. The district’s Schools of Tomorrow initiative, involving parents, teachers, principals, and union representatives, guided the closure recommendations to optimize resources and improve school quality. Following the approval of Measure R, a $1.15 billion bond referendum, the district plans to invest in facility upgrades, safety, technology, and affordable housing for staff, while providing additional support to families and schools affected by closures. The district emphasizes that closures aim to better allocate resources rather than reduce staff, projecting annual facility cost savings of approximately $1.48 million. [Extracted from the article]