Dec 14, 20243 min read

Alum Rock Union School District Budget Deficit

By Anna Yue 11/12/2024

Students swiftly swinging on the monkey bars, wildly running across the grass and cheerfully chattering in the classroom—this common sight on public school infrastructures is soon to change in parts of East San Jose as the Alum Rock Union School District (ARUSD) finds itself in a $20 million annual budget deficit.

The deficit results from the recent end of temporary COVID-19 relief funds from the state and a consistent decline in the ARUSD population. The district receives $15,000 in state funding for each student enrolled. As a result, the student population is declining at a rate of around 350 students per year—with some middle schools falling below 400 students and some elementary schools below 300. This fails to compensate for facilities intended for an operational capacity of 1000, reports CBS News. With only $50 million left in the bank, immediate action is necessary, the outlet further explains.

“This crisis is not completely unforeseen and unexpected—the COVID-19 relief fund is sure to end at some point, and a decreasing student population has been a consistent trend in the district. The district should have taken action on cutting spending earlier to prevent such a massive deficit,” Junior Selina Dong said.

As summarized in a board meeting on Nov. 14, school closures are an undesired but necessary action to sustain the district. During the meeting, Superintendent Germán Cerda presented his formal recommendations to the ARUSD Board of Education, stating that considered alternatives—including cutting programs, raising revenues and reducing employee benefits—were either ineffective or unfeasible. Based on consultation with the School Consolidation Advisory Committee, a group formed in part by members of community groups and parents from each school, Cerda recommended seven school closures, two consolidations and one redesign for the 2025-26 school year.

If the district fails to take action to balance the budget by Dec. 16, Santa Clara County will intervene with complete authority on the legislation to balance the budget without any community input. However, many community voices challenged the superintendent’s dismissal of the committee’s advice during the meeting’s public hearing portion. For example, many committee members alleged that they did not recommend the closure of Renaissance Academy at Fischer (RAF), one of the best academically performing schools in the district, yet it appeared on the superintendent’s recommended list.

Many community members were infuriated that action had not been taken earlier. During the meeting, Superintendent Advisor Emmanuel Barbara admitted that if action had been taken a few years prior, fewer schools would have been affected; now, the escalated fiscal crisis requires many more closures.

Some are worried about the students’ transportation methods to and from school, as many walk to school. Others fear the ineffective transfer of special programs like ARUSD’s Dual Language Immersion in several elementary schools. Barbara acknowledged that removing numerous schools from the district would be an inevitably difficult inconvenience for families and the community, but it has become an unavoidable decision.

“I feel sorry for those who are negatively impacted due to the district’s mismanagement, as they are suffering from the inaction of those who are meant to aid their community. The district should provide support and assistance, like school transfers and transportation methods, to minimize the difficulties they have caused,” Sophomore Chloe Xia said.

At the Dec. 2 board meeting, the district board unanimously accepted the superintendent’s revised proposal of closing six schools including RAF, redesigning three, and consolidating two along with one RAF program for the 2025-26 school year. Future consolidations may occur, with two other schools also drafted in the concurred resolution. Families will have the opportunity to select their displaced students’ schools if space is available. With these school closures and consolidation, along with various staff reductions, the district is projected to reduce its deficit by $13.7 million in the 2025-26 school year and $16.2 million in the 2026-27 school year

Ultimately, ARUSD’s predicament had to be promptly resolved despite previous inaction and mismanagement. District officials hope this decision will counteract the setback and aid the affected district members in timely recovery.

About the Contributors

Anna Yue

Writer Anna Yue, page editor for the Entertainment and Lifestyle, is a second-year Journalism student who has greatly enjoyed the class's collaborative process. She enjoys all sorts of food and loves cute fluffy animals. She loves sleeping and hanging out with friends.