SAN JOSE, California. – The new superintendent at Alum Rock Union School District in San Jose issued a recommendation to close seven schools and consolidate two others at Thursday’s public hearing. Hundreds of people also attended the meeting to voice their disapproval of the plan.

The district says these closures are necessary, but many people have asked the board to reconsider. They say that schools are an integral part of the education of students and the community.

“No one wants to close schools. No one is going to say let’s do that. This is the last resort,” said Advisory Committee facilitator Manny Barbara.

Parents, students and community members gathered Thursday night for a public hearing about closing schools in the Alum Rock Union School District. Newly hired Superintendent German Cerda says the district is facing a $20 million deficit and closing the schools will help prevent a district takeover.

“Aptitude Academy is a different school. Its immediate savings is $1.1 million to the district. Deferred maintenance is $8.2 million. It also has limited capacity for growth and has 400 students,” he said. said Cerda.

Cerda recommended permanently closing seven campuses, consolidating two schools and redesigning a learning center. He says the plan will cut the deficit in half and affect 2,800 students. Still, tensions ran high as some expressed disapproval of the plan.

“I closed two schools during my tenure. There was no backlash, no meetings like this where parents come and cry because we included the community in the decision,” said Kim Basil, a former ALRU Board member.

“Why do we still have this recurring problem from time to time? This shouldn’t have taken this long,” said Emilei, a former ALRU student.

Others raised concerns about safety and closing schools with extracurricular activities to keep students engaged.

“There’s something else going on because some of the numbers they gave don’t make sense. There are other schools with a lower percentage and they’re staying open. They’re in neighborhoods that are terrible for our kids,” he said. Jose, who spoke during the hearing,

The Alum Rock Union School Board will continue to hold hearings until the Dec. 2 vote. The district must submit a completed plan to the Santa Clara County Office of Education by Dec. 16.