The San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) Board of Education is encountering significant calls for new voices and increased accountability, particularly in light of recent decisions regarding school closures and consolidations. These actions have reshaped neighborhoods and, according to many parents, teachers, and community members, proceeded with limited input from those directly affected.
Maeve Naughton, a parent of an SJUSD student and an active member of San Jose Voice (previously Parents United), highlights a perceived erosion of confidence in the current board and its operational direction. This sentiment was recently underscored when an effort to secure an endorsement for an incumbent trustee failed to gain support, signaling a notable shift within groups typically inclined to back incumbents.
The lack of an endorsement is seen as reflecting accumulated frustration over several key issues. These include concerns about the transparency of the “Schools of Tomorrow” process, questions regarding whether commitments made to teachers and families at closing school sites were honored, and observations about the superintendent's influence over trustees. Further concerns center on whether the board has maintained sufficient independence from outside interests in shaping the future of the district's schools.
Naughton and others suggest that the current school board no longer adequately reflects the community it serves. It is perceived to have settled into patterns that prioritize what is described as blind acceptance over genuine representation and accountability. This has led to a widespread loss of faith, hope, and belief in the board among parents and community members, indicating a pressing need for change.
Consequently, the upcoming November school board election is viewed as particularly critical. A shift in leadership is anticipated to bring in trustees who will ask challenging questions before significant votes, undertake thorough research, and actively insist on robust community input. Such a board would also treat California Public Records Act requests and public records as a routine aspect of accountable governance, rather than an inconvenience requiring months to fulfill.
Furthermore, the community seeks board members who would not dismiss reports from the Civil Grand Jury. They also advocate for a board that would avoid actions such as moving a problematic principal from Lincoln High School to become the assistant principal at San Jose High School. The desire for new board members also extends to ensuring trustees are free from conflicts of interest related to charter schools.
The community's desire for the school board is straightforward: to govern honestly, uphold its promises to schools and staff, and engage parents and community members openly about the true state of affairs, rather than presenting only information provided by SJUSD.
With the next SJUSD board set to manage the district's future difficult choices, the community is urged to carefully consider who will occupy these seats. Voters are encouraged to actively research candidates running in their areas. This includes understanding their positions on critical issues such as school closures, facilities planning, housing for teachers in a building known as the Slavery Towers, and the use of Measure R funds. It is also advised to investigate candidates' sources of support—and lack thereof—and evaluate these against their public records. Voters are cautioned against being swayed by what are described as scare tactic hashtags or endorsements from external figures.
Residents are also encouraged to attend candidate forums, ask thorough questions, and, crucially, cast their votes in November.