The Board is nearing a final vote(now expected on March 26th) on which elementary schools will close. Your input and support is needed at the Public Hearing and STIC meeting THIS TUESDAY!

📍855 Lenzen Ave, San Jose
⏰ 4:30 PM (Hearing) | 6:00 PM (STIC Meeting)

Whether you attend in person or watch the livestream, let’s show up for our students!

Some intersting data from our amazing insta page @williamsstrongsj

Current Enrollment:

Williams: 540 | Simonds: 494 | Graystone: 481

The Impact of Splitting Williams: 

• Simonds & Graystone would exceed 750 students.
• This far exceeds the district's "Sweet Spot" of 450–600 students.
• A 25–65% increase that ignores the district’s own "ideal" enrollment range of 450–600.

Consequence:

• The transition to "Mega Schools" will fundamentally degrade the student experience.
• Expect, overcrowded facilities, triple-staggered lunch schedules , critical breakdown in neighborhood traffic safety and flow

The Hidden Cost of Maxing Facility Capacity:

• STAC stated a need to make sure there was enough wiggle room to have access to classrooms that are appropriate for their grade and a space for counselors, PE teachers, SLP, and other resource teachers.
• Maxing out capacity means there are no empty classrooms for art, music, science labs, or pull-out intervention spaces. Every room becomes a standard classroom, stripping the school of specialized enrichment areas

Why STIC Must Return Their Focus to Small Schools:

• Purpose of STAC: Managing declining enrollment and address the urgency around the rate in which schools were becoming critically small.

Why Small Schools Need Help NOW: 

• Teacher Isolation: Teachers are often forced to work alone and are unable to consult with a grade-level team on instructional decisions.
• Highest levels of attrition.
• Support Staff Gaps: Small enrollments often do not "generate" enough funding for full-time specialized staff.
• To maintain staffing ratios, small schools are often forced to create combination classes.
  

How You Can Help: 

• Email the members of the board and Schools of Tomorrow Committee to urge them to bring the focus back to the issue it was meant to solve-- rather than creating a crisis where none existed. 
• Please click the link in the bio (savewilliams.com) for emails.