Our neighborhood is in danger of being rezoned away from Los Alamitos Elementary under the proposed by Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee's (STIC) options 1 and 2 — sign this petition to support our work request boundary modifications that protect our children's education and property values. 

PETITION UPDATE - February 16, 2026

Progress Report: Our Neighborhood is Fighting Back

Since launching this petition, our neighborhood has come together in unprecedented ways. We have been actively communicating with affected residents, spreading awareness about the redistricting proposals, and ensuring every voice in our community is heard.

What We've Accomplished:

• Community Mobilization: We've connected with dozens of neighbors who were previously unaware of the threat to our Los Alamitos Elementary zoning
• Active Participation: Members of our neighborhood have attended both STIC (Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee) and SJUSD Board of Education meetings to represent our interests directly
• Media Coverage: Our advocacy efforts have been featured in ABC7 News, bringing wider attention to the impact of these proposals on families across SJUSD: https://abc7news.com/post/san-jose-parents-upset-sjusd-proposal-close-relocate-10-schools/18582145/
• Direct Advocacy: We are reaching out to SJUSD Board Members Nicole Gribstad and Brian Wheatley to express our concerns and ensure they understand the impact of these proposals on our community
• Building Coalitions: We are now working with a broader coalition of parents across all SJUSD schools to advocate for solutions that are thoughtful, fair, and not rushed

CRITICAL UPDATE: Option 3 No Longer Under Consideration

Option 3—the only proposal that preserved our neighborhood's zoning to Los Alamitos Elementary—has been removed from consideration by STIC. The committee is now working on developing additional options.

This makes our advocacy more urgent than ever.

What This Means:

With Option 3 off the table, there is NO current proposal that protects our neighborhood from being redistricted away from Los Alamitos Elementary to schools the are further away, do not provide comparable services, reduce our childrens' education opportunities while also endangering them. We are now in a critical phase where new boundaries are being drawn, and we must ensure our voices are heard.

What's Special About Los Alamitos Elementary?

Our school stands out among neighboring schools because of our strong academic performance, dedicated teachers, diverse student body, and vibrant school community. Our higher rating reflects our commitment to excellence, high expectations, and consistent student achievement across all groups of learners. Many of our students perform at or above grade level, with some excelling a full grade level ahead.

We proudly serve a diverse population of students from various cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity enriches our classrooms, promotes inclusivity, and helps students develop respect, empathy, and global awareness.

Our teachers work tirelessly to provide high-quality instruction, individualized support, and engaging lessons that challenge students to reach their full potential. We focus on meeting the needs of all learners and ensuring that every child has access to opportunities for growth and success.

Beyond Academics: A Well-Rounded Experience

Our school offers a comprehensive experience that supports both intellectual and personal growth. We are fortunate to have an active and supportive PTA that organizes numerous activities, giving students exposure to enriching experiences beyond the classroom. Events such as the Spelling Bee, Math Kangaroo, Variety Show, Bubble Fest, Mother-Son Dance, and Father-Daughter Dance foster confidence, creativity, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging.

Art Vista, a parent-led program, provides students with opportunities to learn about different forms of art and renowned artists while gaining hands-on artistic experience, nurturing creativity in meaningful ways.

The school also offers Project Cornerstone, a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that helps students build important life skills such as empathy, respect, responsibility, and resilience. This program strengthens character development and supports a positive school climate where students feel valued and understood.

Additionally, our three structured after-school programs provide a safe, supervised, and supportive environment for students beyond regular school hours. Families have peace of mind knowing their children are in a nurturing setting. We also offer numerous after-school enrichment activities that allow students to explore their interests in academics, arts, sports, and STEM, further enhancing their overall development.

The combination of academic excellence, diversity, strong family involvement, social-emotional support, safe after-school care, and enriching extracurricular opportunities truly sets our school apart in the community.

Transportation and Safety Concerns with Proposed Reassignments

The proposed reassignments create a significant transportation and safety burden for our neighborhood that has not been adequately addressed by STIC.

Current Situation: Los Alamitos Elementary

• Less than a five-minute drive from our homes
• Dedicated bike lanes
• No crossings of major arterial roads
• Speed limits generally ≤35 mph
• Safe, walkable, and bikeable for elementary-age children

Proposed Reassignments: Unacceptable Safety Risks

Allen at Steinbeck Elementary School:

• Approximately 2.5 miles away, requiring a 15-minute drive each way
• Daily crossings of dangerous, high-speed intersections: Almaden Expressway & Blossom Hill Road
• Santa Teresa Boulevard & Blossom Hill Road
• 40–55+ mph corridors

Critical Issue: The distance to Allen at Steinbeck is greater than the combined distance to our assigned middle school (Castillero) and high school (Pioneer)—creating an absurd feeder pattern where the elementary school is the least proximate campus. This is totally unacceptable for our neighborhood.

Almaden Elementary School:

• Presents similar safety concerns
• Requires travel across Blossom Hill Road, a heavily trafficked, 40-50+ mph arterial
• Limited walkability or bikeability infrastructure
• Not a safe option for elementary-age students

The Impact:

This added distance, traffic exposure, and commute variability create a disproportionate logistical and safety burden—particularly for elementary-age students—compared to the proximity of our current assigned school.

More Than Just Distance: A Different Academic Environment

In addition to serious transportation impacts, these reassignments are not neutral and would move our neighborhood to a different academic environment than what families relied upon when purchasing homes and making employment decisions here.

The proposed schools are not comparable to Los Alamitos Elementary in several critical aspects:

• Los Alamitos offers a well-established academic environment with proven results
• A diverse student population that enriches learning
• Strong family involvement with an active PTA consisting of several parents from our neighborhood
• Meaningful enrichment opportunities including Art Vista, Project Cornerstone (SEL), and schoolwide activities
• Three structured after-school programs that provide safe, supervised care

These programs reflect the comprehensive student experience that families relied upon when choosing to live in this neighborhood. Moving to schools without these resources would fundamentally change what our children have access to.

The Human Cost:

We understand that school closures already create significant disruption for many families across the district. The proposed reassignment has already caused considerable concern and uncertainty for parents and children in our neighborhood. We are asking STIC and the Board to consider the full impact of these decisions—not just on enrollment numbers, but on real families, real children, and real communities.

 
Our Renewed Call to Action:

We need STIC and the Board to understand that our small, cohesive neighborhood must not be redistricted away from Los Alamitos Elementary in any final plan. Whether through a new "Option 4," modified boundaries, or other creative solutions, our community deserves:

• Access to quality education for our children
• Safe, proximate school assignments that don't expose elementary students to dangerous traffic
• Protection of our property values
• Stability and continuity in our school assignment
• A solution that is fair, not rushed

How You Can Help:

1. Sign this petition if you haven't already
2. Share widely with neighbors, friends, and family in SJUSD
3. ATTEND THE NEXT STIC MEETING - YOUR PRESENCE MATTERS:
   • Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM
   • Location: 855 Lenzen Avenue, San José, CA 95126, Room 150
   • Why attend: STIC needs to see and hear from our community directly. Public testimony and visible community presence influence decisions. We need as many neighbors as possible to show up and make our voices heard.
4. Sign up for public comment at the meeting to share your concerns about safety, educational quality, and property values
5. Contact Board Members directly - We are actively reaching out to Board Members Nicole Gribstad and Brian Wheatley. We encourage you to contact them as well, along with other Board members, before the final vote on March 12, 2026. Your individual voice matters.
6. Stay engaged - this is not over, and our united voice matters

IMPORTANT DATES:

• February 24, 2026, 6:00 PM: STIC Meeting (855 Lenzen Ave, Room 150) - WE NEED YOU THERE
  March 12, 2026: Board of Education Final Vote
  We will continue fighting for our neighborhood and working with the broader SJUSD community to ensure any redistricting plan is equitable, well-considered, and protects the interests of all families.

Together, we can make a difference. See you on February 24th.

Thank you for your support and solidarity.

APPENDIX

Exhibit A: Documented Precedents of Rezoning Failure in Neighboring Districts
To the SJUSD Board, we urge you to examine the documented negative outcomes from nearby districts that implemented similar redistricting plans. These cases serve as a warning of the risks associated with Options 1 and 2:

1. The "Enrollment Flight" Phenomenon

Reference: Berryessa Union School District, 2024

The Evidence: In December 2024, BUSD approved the closure of three elementary schools (Cherrywood, Laneview, and Toyon) due to a 30.5% enrollment decline (1,765 students) since 1999-2000. The district experienced a decrease of more than 2,000 students in the past 10 years, with enrollment dropping from 7,980 students in 2012-13 to 5,940 in 2022-23, and projected to decline further to 5,254 students by 2028.
The Impact: This triggered a cascade effect: families either left the district entirely or opted for private and charter schools, resulting in a permanent loss of community-engaged families. The district now faces a $6 million operating budget deficit, with revenue decreasing from more than $103 million in 2022-23 to more than $88 million in 2024-25. As one public commenter stated during the board meeting: "I just want you to look around the room and see the damage that's already been done by just the discussion of consolidation."

Relevance to SJUSD: For a Basic Aid district like SJUSD, while per-pupil state funding is less of a factor, the loss of high-SES (socioeconomic status) families results in a drastic decline in private donations, PTA fundraising, and community involvement that our schools rely on. The erosion of the local volunteer base undermines the educational quality that makes our schools successful.
Sources:
• San José Spotlight: "San Jose school district to close three campuses" (Dec 23, 2024)
  https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-berryessa-union-school-district-to-close-three-campuses/
• ABC7 News: "San Jose Berryessa Union School District votes to close three campuses" (Dec 19, 2024)
  https://abc7news.com/post/san-jose-berryessa-union-school-district-votes-close-campuses/15677904/
• CEQA Notice: Berryessa Union School District School Closure (Jan 2025)

2. Real Estate Liquidity & Market Stagnation

Reference: South Bay Real Estate Trends, 2024-2025

The Evidence: Historical data from the South Bay shows that school quality is a primary driver of real estate values and buyer decisions. As reported by San Jose-based real estate professionals in July 2025: "Schools are really important, because they're families...places like Castro Valley, Albany, El Cerrito are all known for having really good school districts. That's still the goal of buyers right now. They want space, they want good schools, they want that classic single-family home lifestyle."
The Impact: Neighborhoods with strong schools saw home values increase by 55-63% between 2020-2025, while areas with perceived declining school quality experienced market stagnation and increased "Days on Market" (DOM). Homes re-designated to significantly lower-performing schools experience a sharp decrease in buyer interest, creating a "chilling effect" on the local economy as potential buyers avoid areas with unstable school boundaries.

Relevance to SJUSD: Our neighborhood has already experienced transaction uncertainty due to these proposals. Families considering purchasing homes in our area are waiting to see the final boundary decisions. Finalizing Option 1 or 2 would codify this economic damage, permanently reducing property values and making homes harder to sell. The impact would be felt by every homeowner, regardless of whether they have school-age children.
Sources:
• East Bay Times: "Home values soared in East Bay, South Bay while plummeting in San Francisco, Oakland"
  (July 8, 2025)
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/07/07/home-values-soared-in-east-bay-south-bay-while-plummeting-in-san-francisco-oakland/