The Paradox: More Money, Fewer Students, Closing Schools
San José Unified ran healthy surpluses of $25.7M (2022–23) and $18.9M (2023–24) on general fund revenues of $476M and $504M respectively. Then for 2024–25, the district projects just $462 million in revenue while budgeting $492 million in expenditures — a $30 million deficit budget. That's a $49 million swing in two years. Over the past decade, enrollment dropped by more than 6,000 students — a 20% decline. Despite having more money per student than ever before, the district now says it must close up to 9 elementary schools.
This website breaks down the publicly available financial data so you — parents, teachers, taxpayers, and community members — can understand where the money comes from, where it goes, and whether closing schools is truly the only option.
Revenue: Where Does the Money Come From?
Before diving into the numbers, it helps to understand how California school districts get their money. It's not as simple as "the government pays for schools." There are multiple streams, complex formulas, and a critical distinction that makes SJUSD different from most districts in the state.
How the Money Flows to Your School
Where SJUSD's Money Actually Comes From (2024–25)
Here's how the $462 million general fund budget breaks down by source. Notice how dominant property taxes are — that single blue slice is 85 cents of every dollar.
$390.9M
$46.6M
$14.1M
$10.5M (grants, parcel taxes)
The Key Formula: LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula)
Since 2013, California has funded schools through the LCFF. Here's the simple version: the state calculates a per-student funding target for every district, then checks how much the district already collects in local property taxes. If there's a gap, the state fills it.
SJUSD became a Basic Aid district in 2020–21. In Silicon Valley, where home values are among the highest in the nation, property tax revenue is enormous. This means SJUSD's funding is tied to property values, not student headcount. When families leave the district, the money doesn't leave with them. About 10% of California districts have this status.
The question this raises: If losing students doesn't mean losing money, why is the district claiming a financial crisis that requires closing schools?
Revenue Over 10 Years (General Fund)
The table below shows how SJUSD's financial position has grown year after year, even as enrollment fell. Important note: The NCES-reported $532M figure for 2021–22 is all-funds total revenue (including capital and special funds), not general fund alone. The 2024–25 data comes from SJUSD's own LCAP Budget Overview filed with CDE — this is a general fund figure of $462M.
| Fiscal Year | Total Revenue | Year-over-Year | Enrollment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | $321M | — | ~30,800 | SVTA / Ed-Data |
| 2015–16 | $337M | +5.0% | ~31,000 | Ed-Data (est.) |
| 2016–17 | $355M | +5.3% | ~30,700 | Ed-Data (est.) |
| 2017–18 | $370M | +4.2% | ~30,500 | Ed-Data (est.) |
| 2018–19 | $385M | +4.1% | ~29,600 | Ed-Data (est.) |
| 2019–20 | $397M | +3.1% | ~28,800 | Ed-Data (est.) |
| 2020–21 ★ | $430M | +8.3% | ~26,300 | Ed-Data (est.) |
| 2021–22 | $532M ★★ | +23.7% | ~25,700 | NCES CCD (all-funds) |
| 2022–23 | $476M (GF) | −10.5% | 25,451 | CDE SACS Unaudited Actuals |
| 2023–24 | $504M (GF) | +5.7% | 25,976 | CDE SACS Unaudited Actuals |
| 2024–25 ④ | $462M (GF) | — | 25,409 | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) |
★ SJUSD became a Basic Aid (locally funded) district. Blue-shaded rows include significant federal ESSER relief funding.
★★ $532M is the NCES-confirmed all-funds total revenue for FY 2021–22. General fund revenue alone is lower.
③ 2022–23 GF actuals: Revenue $476.4M, Expenditures $443.0M — surplus of $25.7M. 2023–24 GF actuals: Revenue $503.6M, Expenditures $476.9M — surplus of $18.9M. Both from CDE SACS Data Viewer, Unaudited Actuals (viewer.sacs-cde.org).
④ 2024–25 general fund revenue: $462,171,756 — from SJUSD's official LCAP Budget Overview filed with CDE (PDF). Breakdown: LCFF $390.9M (85%), Other state $46.6M (10%), Local $10.5M (2%), Federal $14.1M (3%). Budgeted expenditures: $492,473,846 — a $30.3M deficit budget.
⑤ The trend: Surpluses shrank from $25.7M (2022–23) → $18.9M (2023–24) → then the district budgeted a $30.3M deficit for 2024–25 — a $49M swing in two years. Revenue dropped $41M while spending barely moved.
Related spending data (from Mercury News editorial, Mar 2025): Expenditures rose from $366M (2019–20) to $492M (2023–24) — a 34% increase in 5 years while enrollment fell 13% and inflation rose 20–22%.
SJUSD's general fund revenue peaked at $504 million in 2023–24 — up from $321 million a decade earlier — even as the district now serves about 5,400 fewer students. The district ran healthy surpluses of $25.7M (2022–23) and $18.9M (2023–24). Then for 2024–25, revenue dropped $41 million to $462M while spending barely changed — producing a $30.3 million deficit budget. That's a $49 million swing in two years. Where did the money go?
Spending: Where Does the Money Go?
According to the Mercury News editorial board (March 2025), SJUSD expenditures increased from $366 million in 2019–20 to $492 million in 2023–24 — a 34% increase in just five years. During that same period, enrollment declined 13%. The number of district employees actually went up slightly, by 0.4%.
Where Every Dollar Goes
When SJUSD receives $462 million, here's how it gets divided up. Think of it like a household budget — but with half a billion dollars and 25,000 kids depending on it.
About 75 cents of every dollar goes to people — salaries and benefits. This is normal for school districts. But it means when costs rise (pension rates, healthcare premiums, negotiated raises), they rise fast — and there's very little room to cut without cutting staff. The question is whether SJUSD's staffing levels are right-sized for 25,000 students when they were built for 31,000.
According to U.S. News Education, SJUSD spends about $16,520 per student per year. The major spending categories break down roughly as follows:
The Employee Benefits Explosion
One major cost driver has been employee benefits — pensions (CalSTRS, CalPERS), retiree healthcare, and other benefits. A 2017 analysis by David Crane noted that employee benefits at SJUSD grew from $58.6 million in 2013–14 to $70 million in 2014–15 — a 19% jump in a single year. By 2019–20, benefits were projected to consume 25% of all district revenue.
In 2025, three unions (SJTA, CSEA, and AFSCME) accused SJUSD of underfunding employee health and welfare benefits by over $30 million since 2017–18. According to the unions, the district quietly switched from using the authorized number of employee positions to only the number of filled positions when calculating benefit contributions — resulting in millions of dollars not reaching the employee Health and Welfare Fund. SJUSD Chief Business Officer Seth Reddy acknowledged the issue and said the district was "committed to making this right."
🚨 The Reserve Crisis: SJUSD's Empty Safety Net
California law requires every school district to maintain a minimum "Reserve for Economic Uncertainties" — essentially a rainy-day fund. For districts SJUSD's size (over 1,000 ADA), the state-recommended minimum is 2% of total expenditures. This is codified in Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and monitored by the County Office of Education.
Here's how SJUSD measures up, based on the district's own filings with the state:
SJUSD's total ending fund balance was $109.4M in 2023–24. But $104.2M of that is restricted — legally earmarked for specific programs (special education, federal grants, etc.) and cannot be used for general operations. Only $5.2M is unrestricted, and of that, only $1.3M sits in unassigned accounts. The district's designated Reserve for Economic Uncertainties — the actual safety net line item — is zero.
This means SJUSD has been operating below the state-recommended minimum reserve for at least two consecutive years. The County Office of Education is supposed to flag this. A district running a $30.3M deficit in 2024–25 with essentially no unrestricted reserves is in serious fiscal danger.
Management Salaries: Who Gets Paid What
The SACS data lets us break down exactly where every salary dollar goes. In 2023–24, SJUSD's general fund spent $247.5 million on salaries and another $124.4 million on benefits — totaling $371.8 million, or 78% of all expenditures, on people costs alone.
SJUSD lists 13 senior leaders on its management page, headed by Superintendent Nancy Albarrán (in the role since 2016). The team includes a Chief Business Officer, Associate Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and 9 Directors overseeing everything from finance to data strategy to communications.
Based on SACS data and NCES headcounts, the average administrator salary (cert + classified, 99.5 positions) is approximately $215,000/year. The average teacher salary (1,189 FTE) is approximately $120,400/year. Superintendent Albarrán's total compensation was $367,302 in 2020 (most recent public data) — and has likely increased since.
SJUSD employs 23 district-level administrators and 76.5 school-level administrators for 25,000 students. That's one administrator for every 251 students. Combined admin salaries total $21.4 million/year. Meanwhile, the district says it must close neighborhood elementary schools to save money. How much would the district save by reducing administrative headcount by 10–15% instead of — or in addition to — closing schools?
Spending 2019–20
~28,800 students
Spending 2024–25 (Budget)
Revenue: $462M
$30.3M deficit budget
Enrollment: The Shrinking Student Body
The district's enrollment has been on a steady downward trajectory. In 2008, SJUSD served approximately 35,000 students. By 2017–18, that had dropped to about 30,500. Today (2024–25), enrollment is approximately 25,409 — a loss of roughly 10,000 students since 2008, or 6,000+ since 2017–18.
The district attributes this to Silicon Valley's high cost of living pushing families out, declining birth rates, and the rise of charter schools and private school alternatives. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that SJUSD had the largest enrollment decline among the 10 biggest Bay Area school districts from 2019–20 to 2021–22: an 11% drop.
Crucially, while enrollment dropped 20%, the district maintained the same number of elementary schools (26) until this year's proposed closures. Half of those 26 elementary schools now serve fewer than 350 students. The smallest has fewer than 200 students.
Per-Pupil Spending: More Money for Each Student
Here's where the math gets really interesting. Because revenue keeps going up while enrollment keeps going down, the amount of money available per student has skyrocketed.
In 2014–15, the district had about $10,420 per student. By 2023–24, that figure rose to ~$19,390 per student — nearly double. The statewide average for unified school districts is around $18,400 per student. Even with the 2024–25 budget drop, SJUSD still spends ~$18,190 per student. If the district has more money per student than ever before, why does it need to close schools?
Federal Relief Funds: ESSER and Other Grants
Between 2020 and 2024, an unprecedented wave of federal money flowed into school districts across America to help them weather the COVID-19 pandemic. This money came in three rounds through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER).
| Round | Federal Law | Date | Total (National) | California Total | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESSER I | CARES Act | Mar 2020 | $13.2B | ~$1.6B | Sep 2022 |
| ESSER II | CRRSA Act | Dec 2020 | $54.3B | ~$6.7B | Sep 2023 |
| ESSER III | ARP Act | Mar 2021 | $122.8B | ~$13.5B | Sep 2024 |
| Total | $190.3B | ~$23.4B |
California received approximately $23.4 billion in total ESSER funds — the most of any state. These funds were distributed to districts based on their Title I (low-income student) allocations. SJUSD received its share; the district's federal revenue line items jumped significantly during 2020–2024.
ESSER funds were meant to be used for: preventing COVID spread (PPE, ventilation, cleaning), addressing learning loss from school closures, mental health services, technology for remote learning, maintaining staffing levels, and summer/after-school programs. ESSER III specifically required at least 20% of funds go toward evidence-based programs to address learning loss.
All ESSER funds had to be obligated by September 30, 2024. This "fiscal cliff" means districts that used ESSER money for ongoing expenses — like hiring new staff — now face a funding gap. As SJUSD Board President George Sanchez noted: "Funding very much drives the curriculum in our schools... schools aren't receiving federal funding like they did during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic."
Other Notable Funding Sources
Approved by voters in 2016, this $72/year parcel tax generated about $5 million annually for eight years. It was used for teacher retention, academic programs, and staff salaries. It expired June 30, 2025. The district attempted to renew it with Measure A in a May 2025 special election, but voters rejected it. The election itself cost the district $2–3 million.
A general obligation bond approved in 2012 to repair and upgrade school facilities — classrooms, science labs, technology, safety, and energy systems. This money cannot be used for operations or salaries; it's strictly for buildings and infrastructure.
Approved by 64.7% of voters in November 2024, this massive bond will cost taxpayers about $81 million per year for approximately 30 years ($60 per $100,000 of assessed home value). It funds facility upgrades, employee housing construction (600+ units planned), and classroom modernization. SPUR noted that the district released no expenditure plan before putting it on the ballot.
Santa Clara County schools received about $20.9 million in lottery funds in Q2 of 2023–24 alone, with a cumulative total of nearly $1.9 billion since 1985. Lottery funds are meant to supplement — not replace — regular funding.
SJUSD collects developer fees on new residential and commercial construction within district boundaries. These fees are kept in a separate account and are meant to offset the cost of accommodating new students generated by new development.
Bonds & Parcel Taxes: What Voters Have Approved
Over the past 25 years, SJUSD voters have approved multiple bond measures and parcel taxes. Here's a summary of the major ones:
Combined, SJUSD voters have authorized nearly $1.87 billion in bond debt since 2002 — plus ongoing parcel taxes. The 2024 Measure R alone will cost taxpayers approximately $2.4 billion with interest over 30 years. Meanwhile, the district was also receiving hundreds of millions in annual property tax revenue, state funds, and federal pandemic relief. One Measure R opponent noted: "In 2012, we approved $290M for repairs... yet the district's now requesting an additional $1.15B."
School Closures: The "Schools of Tomorrow" Plan
In September 2025, the SJUSD Board of Education launched the "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative — a process to evaluate elementary schools for possible consolidation, closure, or boundary changes. As of February 2026, the district has released three options, each proposing to close or consolidate up to 9 elementary schools before the 2026–27 school year.
The district's stated reasons: enrollment declined 20% since 2017–18 (~6,000 fewer students); 12 of 26 elementary schools now have fewer than 350 students (doubled from a few years ago); the smallest school has fewer than 200 students; and small schools can't sustain counselors, nurses, art/music programs, or avoid combo-classes.
What the District Promises
SJUSD says affected schools will receive twice their usual funding during the transition year. Schools receiving new students will also get double funding. Bus service will be offered for students more than 1.5 miles from their new school. Three hours of free after-school activities will be provided. Staff positions will be preserved.
What Parents Are Saying
Parents and community members are pushing back hard. Many note that some of the schools targeted for closure are high-performing, high-demand neighborhood schools. As one parent wrote to the board about Simonds Elementary: "Closing a school that is appropriately sized, academically strong, and program-rich directly contradicts the framework the district has outlined."
The district says it needs to close schools because enrollment has dropped. But revenue has increased every single year, and per-pupil funding has roughly doubled in a decade. The district became a Basic Aid district in 2020–21, meaning its revenue is tied to property taxes — not enrollment. It received massive federal ESSER funds. Voters just approved a $1.15 billion bond.
So the question families and taxpayers are asking is: If there's more money per student than ever before, why can't smaller schools be sustained? Where exactly is all this money going?
Analysis: Do the Closures Make Financial Sense — or Reveal Mismanagement?
The district frames school closures as an inevitable response to declining enrollment. But when you examine the financial evidence, a different picture emerges — one that suggests the real problem isn't too few students, but how the district manages its growing resources.
The District's Argument vs. the Data
District claim: "We have 6,000 fewer students than we did in 2017–18. We can't sustain 26 elementary schools."
What the data shows: General fund revenue grew from $370M (2017–18, est.) to $462M (2024–25 LCAP) — a 25% increase — during the same period enrollment fell 20%. Per-pupil general fund revenue rose from roughly $12,100 to approximately $18,200. The district became a Basic Aid district in 2020–21, meaning its funding is tied to property values, not headcount. Even without a single additional student, revenue will continue rising as Silicon Valley property values increase. Yet the district is budgeting a $30.3M deficit — spending $492M while projecting only $462M in revenue.
Consider a school with 250 students. At $18,200 per pupil in general fund revenue (2024–25 LCAP), that school generates approximately $4.55 million in revenue. Even if the fully-loaded cost to operate an elementary school is $3–4 million annually (staffing, facilities, utilities), the school is more than paying for itself. The district has not published school-by-school cost data to refute this math.
Signs of Financial Mismanagement
Multiple independent sources paint a picture of a district with serious financial governance problems:
1. The Grand Jury called the district "adrift" — and the board rejected the warning. In June 2024, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury published a 42-page report titled "District Adrift" after conducting 80 interviews and reviewing 500 documents. The report found high leadership turnover (54% of principals lost in two years vs. 22% at comparable districts), lack of student wellness centers, safety gaps, and overall lack of transparency. Crucially, the Grand Jury noted these problems echoed the district's own 2023 School Climate Survey — meaning the board already had internal data showing the same issues. In a five-hour board meeting in July 2024, the board voted unanimously to reject nearly all findings. The Superintendent dismissed the report as "unrepresentative, misleading and inaccurate." Even the Teachers Association president acknowledged: "There was no finding in this report that I have not already had conversations about with district leaders." In other words: they knew, and they chose not to act.
2023: SJUSD's own School Climate Survey identifies trust, morale, and leadership concerns among staff and parents.
June 2024: Grand Jury publishes "District Adrift" — confirming the same problems with 80 independent interviews.
July 2024: Board unanimously rejects nearly all Grand Jury findings. Superintendent calls report "misleading."
2024–25: District adopts a $30.3M deficit budget with $0 in reserve for economic uncertainties.
2025: Unions reveal $30M+ in health benefit underfunding since 2017–18. Voters reject Measure A parcel tax.
Late 2025–2026: District announces plans to close up to 9 elementary schools.
2. $30+ million in alleged health benefit underfunding. Three employee unions claim the district quietly changed its formula for calculating benefit contributions, shortchanging employees by over $30 million since 2017–18. The district's CBO acknowledged the discrepancy.
3. Spending growth that outpaced both enrollment and inflation. From 2019–20 to 2023–24, expenditures rose 34% ($366M → $492M) while enrollment fell 13% and the employee count actually increased 0.4%. Inflation during that period was approximately 20–22%. Spending growth materially exceeded inflation — even without accounting for the enrollment decline.
4. No expenditure plan for $1.15B Measure R bond. SPUR, the respected Bay Area policy organization, noted that the district put a massive $1.15 billion bond on the ballot in 2024 without publishing a detailed expenditure plan showing taxpayers exactly how the money would be spent.
5. Voters rejected the parcel tax renewal. In May 2025, voters said "No" to renewing Measure Y's $72/year parcel tax. The Mercury News editorial board recommended rejection, citing the district's failure to demonstrate fiscal responsibility. The election itself cost the district $2–3 million to conduct.
6. Zero reserves for economic uncertainties — below state-required minimum. SACS filings show SJUSD's designated Reserve for Economic Uncertainties has been $0 for at least two consecutive years (2022–23 and 2023–24). California requires districts of SJUSD's size to maintain at least 2% of expenditures in available reserves (~$9.5M). SJUSD's total unrestricted reserves were just $1.3M (0.27%) in 2023–24 — an $8.3M shortfall below the state minimum.
Recommendations for Financial Reform
1. Independent Financial Audit: The community should demand an independent, third-party forensic audit of SJUSD's finances — not the standard annual audit performed by auditors the district selects, but a comprehensive review commissioned by the County Office of Education or Board of Supervisors examining where every dollar has gone over the past 5 years.
2. School-by-School Cost Transparency: Before closing any school, the district should publish the actual cost to operate each individual elementary school — including staffing, facilities, utilities, and overhead — alongside the revenue each school generates through per-pupil funding. Without this data, any closure decision is arbitrary.
3. Administrative Cost Reduction: With enrollment down 20% but employee count up 0.4%, the district should demonstrate it has first exhausted administrative efficiency measures before asking communities to sacrifice their neighborhood schools.
4. ESSER Accountability Report: A complete, line-item accounting of all ESSER funds received and spent — including whether any one-time funds were used for ongoing expenses — should be made public.
5. Bond Expenditure Plan: The district should publish a detailed, site-specific expenditure plan for the $1.15B Measure R bond funds before making any expenditures.
Political Recommendations
For City Council and Mayor's Office: While the city government does not directly control the school district, school closures profoundly affect neighborhoods, property values, public safety, and community cohesion. The Mayor and Council should use their bully pulpit to demand fiscal transparency from SJUSD before closures proceed.
For State Legislators: Senator Dave Cortese and Assemblymember Ash Kalra should consider introducing legislation requiring Basic Aid districts to publish annual transparency reports showing how excess property tax revenue above the LCFF guarantee is being used — and mandate school-by-school cost accounting before any closure action.
For the County Board of Supervisors: The Board should consider using its authority to request the County Office of Education conduct an independent review of SJUSD's fiscal management, following up on the Grand Jury's findings.
For SJUSD Board Candidates (2026 elections): Any candidate for the Board of Education should commit to completing a full independent audit and publishing school-by-school cost data before continuing the closure process.
How Neighboring Districts Compare
SJUSD isn't the only district in Santa Clara County dealing with enrollment decline. But its response — and its financial trajectory — stand out. Let's look at how nearby districts are handling similar challenges.
Cupertino Union School District (CUSD)
CUSD, which also serves parts of San José, faced severe enrollment decline — losing more than 4,900 students since 2015–16. It closed three elementary schools in 2022 (Regnart, Meyerholz, and consolidated Muir). However, CUSD is now running a $26 million deficit in FY 2024–25 with a projected $11 million deficit in 2025–26. Like SJUSD, it's a Basic Aid district. Unlike SJUSD, it has already cut school sites — and is still in fiscal crisis. This raises the question: did closures actually solve anything?
Campbell Union School District (CUSD)
Campbell Union serves communities adjacent to SJUSD — including Campbell, Los Gatos, portions of San José. It operates 13 schools (9 elementary, 2 middle). While it has also experienced enrollment pressure, it has not proposed closures. It received "green" ratings across all categories on the California School Dashboard. The difference? Budget discipline and appropriately-sized operations.
Campbell Union High School District (CUHSD)
The high school district serving much of the SJUSD feeder area operates 6 high school campuses with 8,600+ students. It is the only district in Santa Clara County to receive "green" ratings across all categories on the state accountability dashboard. No closures. No fiscal crisis. It demonstrates that well-managed districts can thrive even in the same economic environment.
Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD)
Serving 15,400+ K-12 students across 56 square miles (overlapping with portions of San José), Santa Clara Unified has not announced mass school closures despite similar regional pressures. The district emphasizes maintaining neighborhood schools as community anchors.
Enrollment decline is real and regional. But not every district is closing schools. Campbell Union (K-8) and Campbell Union High School District are thriving without closures. Meanwhile, Cupertino Union — which already closed three schools in 2022 — is now running a $26 million deficit. School closures are not a magic solution. The real issue is whether a district manages its growing revenue responsibly. SJUSD's revenue has grown 66% in a decade — far more than most neighboring districts — yet it's the one proposing the most dramatic closures.
Questions That Deserve Answers
Based on the publicly available data, here are the questions the community should be asking SJUSD leadership:
1. Administrative Spending: What percentage of the budget goes to district administration vs. direct classroom instruction? How has this ratio changed over the past 10 years? How many administrators have been added while enrollment declined?
2. ESSER Accountability: Exactly how much ESSER money did SJUSD receive across all three rounds? What was it spent on? Were any ESSER funds used for ongoing expenses (like staff positions) that now need to be replaced? Has the district published a complete accounting?
3. The $30 Million Health Benefits Question: Three employee unions allege the district has underfunded health and welfare benefits by over $30 million since 2017–18. Has this been resolved? Where did that money go instead?
4. Property Tax Windfall: Since becoming a Basic Aid district in 2020–21, how much excess property tax revenue (above the LCFF guarantee) has SJUSD received? How was this additional money used?
5. Bond Spending Transparency: For the 2012 Measure H bond ($290M) and the 2024 Measure R bond ($1.15B), where is the detailed accounting of how each dollar has been or will be spent?
6. Cost Per School: What is the actual annual cost to operate one elementary school? If per-pupil revenue is $21,000+ and a school has 200–350 students, that's $4.2–$7.4 million per school in generated revenue. What is the operating cost of keeping that school open?
7. Grand Jury Recommendations: The 2024 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury found the district "adrift" with leadership failures. The board rejected nearly all findings. Have the recommended reforms been implemented?
8. Closed School Properties: What happens to school buildings after closure? Will they be sold or leased? If so, who benefits from those proceeds?
Take Action: Your Voice Matters
One click opens a pre-written email to all five SJUSD Board members, the Superintendent, and the Schools of Tomorrow committee. Edit it and make it your own.
OPEN EMAIL TO BOARD →The committee accepting community input before their recommendation to the Board:
EMAIL SCHOOLSOFTOMORROW@SJUSD.ORG →The more people who see the financial data, the harder it is for the district to ignore. Share with every SJUSD parent you know.
If you're a parent, teacher, or community member affected by the proposed school closures, here are the officials who represent you and how to reach them.
SJUSD Board of Education (Direct Authority)
The Board will vote on school closures on March 12, 2026. Board meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at 855 Lenzen Ave, San José. Public comment is permitted — submit a "Request to Speak" card before the meeting.
City of San José — Mayor Matt Mahan
While the mayor does not control SJUSD, school closures directly impact city neighborhoods, walkability, property values, and community safety. Contact: mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov
California State Legislature
State Senator Dave Cortese (D) — Senate District 15
Covers most of San José. Cortese previously served on the SJUSD-area school board (East Side Union HSD).
Capitol: (916) 651-4015 · District: (408) 558-1295 · sd15.senate.ca.gov
Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D) — Assembly District 25
Covers the majority of San José including downtown.
Capitol: (916) 319-2025 · District: (408) 277-2525 · a25.asmdc.org
U.S. Congress
SJUSD spans two congressional districts. Your representative depends on your specific address:
CA-16 (southern/western SJUSD areas — 95124, 95118, 95120, etc.): Use house.gov/representatives to find your specific representative.
CA-18 — Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D) (downtown/east SJUSD areas — 95110, 95112, 95113, 95116, etc.):
Washington: (202) 225-1904 · San José office: (408) 271-8700 · lofgren.house.gov
U.S. Senators
Sen. Alex Padilla (D): (202) 224-3553 · padilla.senate.gov
Sen. Adam Schiff (D): (202) 224-3841 · schiff.senate.gov
Santa Clara County
County Superintendent of Schools — Dr. Mary Ann Dewan
The County Office of Education has oversight responsibilities and can conduct reviews of district finances.
sccoe.org · (408) 453-6500
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
Can request investigations and apply political pressure. Find your supervisor at: sccgov.org/sites/bos
1. Sign the petition — Join 2,378+ people who have already signed →
2. Email the Board — Use the one-click email button above. Personalize it with your family's story.
3. Attend the March 12 Board meeting — 855 Lenzen Ave, 6:00 PM. Submit a "Request to Speak" card. Bring neighbors.
4. Attend STIC meetings — Every Tuesday 6-8 PM at 855 Lenzen Ave, Room 150. Public comment accepted.
5. Request a formal investigation — Ask Senator Cortese and the County Board of Supervisors to request an independent audit of SJUSD finances.
6. Share this page — Forward behindsiliconvalley.com to every SJUSD parent, teacher, and neighbor you know.
7. Write a physical letter — Mailed letters carry more weight than emails. Send to: SJUSD Board of Education, 855 Lenzen Ave, San José, CA 95126.
A Note on Data Sources and Accuracy
This analysis relies on a mix of primary official sources and secondary reporting. We want to be fully transparent about which is which, and where figures should be verified independently before being used in formal advocacy.
What Comes Directly from Official Sources
The following data points are confirmed from SJUSD's own website, the California Department of Education (CDE), or the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):
| Data Point | Value | Primary Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $532,224,000 | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | ⚠ This is FY 2021–22 all-funds, not 2023–24 |
| GF Revenue 2024–25 | $462,171,756 | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) | General fund projected revenue |
| GF Revenue: LCFF | $390,906,437 (85%) | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) | Incl. $23.3M supplemental/concentration |
| GF Revenue: Other State | $46,595,948 (10%) | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) | |
| GF Revenue: Local | $10,543,905 (2%) | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) | |
| GF Revenue: Federal | $14,125,467 (3%) | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) | |
| GF Expenditures 2024–25 | $492,473,846 | SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview (CDE) | ⚠ $30.3M DEFICIT BUDGET |
| Revenue: Federal | $46.2M (9%) | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | Elevated due to ESSER funds |
| Revenue: Local | $360.4M (68%) | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | Property tax dominant (Basic Aid) |
| Revenue: State | $125.6M (24%) | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | |
| Total Expenditures | $450,328,000 | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | |
| Per-Pupil Revenue | $20,728 | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | Based on 25,676 ADA |
| Instruction % | 59% | NCES CCD (FY 2021–22) | $244.9M of current expenditures |
| Staff Count | 2,568.76 FTE | NCES CCD (2024–25) | |
| Enrollment 2024–25 | 25,409 | Ed-Data (CDE partnership) | Most current available |
| Enrollment 2023–24 | 25,976 | NCES CCD / Ed-Data | |
| Basic Aid Status | Since 2020–21 | SJUSD Fiscal Services | sjusd.org/about/fiscal |
| Enrollment decline ~6,000 | Since 2017–18 | SJUSD Schools of Tomorrow | District's own claim |
| Revenue 2014–15 | $320.9M | SVTA (citing CDE data) | Per-pupil: $10,416 |
What Comes from Secondary/News Sources
The following data points are drawn from news reporting and editorial analysis. While we believe them to be reliable (the Mercury News editorial board and SVTA have strong credibility), they have not been independently verified against SJUSD's unaudited actuals or CDE SACS filings:
| Data Point | Claim | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spending 2019–20 | $366M | Mercury News Editorial, Mar 2025 |
| Spending 2023–24 | $492M | Mercury News Editorial, Mar 2025 |
| Spending increase | 34% in 5 years | Mercury News Editorial, Mar 2025 |
| Employee count change | +0.4% despite −13% enrollment | Mercury News Editorial, Mar 2025 |
| $30M+ benefits underfunding | Alleged since 2017–18 | La Voz News, May 2025 (union claim) |
| Year-by-year revenue (table) | $321M–$532M (2014–2024) | Interpolated from SVTA, NCES, Ed-Data |
| Enrollment 2008 baseline | ~35,000 | KRON4, Dec 2025 |
| Per-pupil spending | $16,520/student | U.S. News (citing NCES FY 2021–22) |
Several sources (including U.S. News Education) cite SJUSD's total revenue as "$532 million." Investigation reveals this figure comes from the NCES Common Core of Data for fiscal year 2021–22 and represents all-funds revenue (general fund + capital + special funds). FY 2021–22 also had elevated federal revenue due to ESSER pandemic relief funds ($46.2M vs. the normal ~$14M). The district's own LCAP Budget Overview for 2024–25 shows general fund revenue of $462M — lower than $532M because it excludes non-general funds. The true comparison is: general fund revenue of $462M vs. general fund expenditures of $492M = $30.3M deficit.
What We Recommend
Community members using this analysis for advocacy, board testimony, or media engagement should:
1. Download SJUSD's official Unaudited Actuals for 2022–23 and 2023–24 from the district's budget archive and verify revenue/expenditure figures directly.
2. Use Ed-Data.org (the CDE/EdSource/FCMAT partnership) for the most current general fund data — though note that Ed-Data's financial tables require JavaScript and the most recent year may lag by 1–2 years.
3. Reference the NCES Common Core of Data for federally-reported figures, and always note the fiscal year (currently FY 2021–22).
4. File a Public Records Act (PRA) request with SJUSD for specific data not available online, such as school-by-school operating costs or detailed ESSER expenditure reports. Instructions: sjusd.org/about/district-information/pra
Where This Data Comes From
This analysis is based entirely on publicly available official data. All figures are approximate and drawn from the following sources. Community members are encouraged to verify independently.
- SJUSD Fiscal Services — Budget documents and financial reports
sjusd.org/about/fiscal - SJUSD Past Budget Reports Archive — Annual budgets, interim reports, unaudited actuals
sjusd.org/about/fiscal/financial-budget-reports-archive - SJUSD LCAP Budget Overview 2024–25 (CDE-hosted PDF) — GF Revenue $462M, Expenditures $492M, revenue breakdown
cdeunifiedstoragewest.blob.core.windows.net/lcaps/...pdf - SJUSD – California Public School Funding — Basic Aid district explanation
sjusd.org/about/fiscal/california-public-school-funding - SJUSD – Schools of Tomorrow — Closure initiative, enrollment data
sjusd.org/about/schools-of-tomorrow - SJUSD – Measure R — $1.15B bond details
sjusd.org/about/measurer - SJUSD – Parcel Tax — Measure Y details
sjusd.org/about/fiscal/parcel-tax - SJUSD – Developer Fee
sjusd.org/about/fiscal/developer-fee - SJUSD – District Information — Revenue breakdown, bond history
web.sjusd.org/who-we-are/district-information - SJUSD – Measure H Reports
sjusd.org/.../measure-h-financial-performance-reports - Ed-Data.org (CDE Partnership) — Revenue, expenditure, enrollment from CA Dept. of Education
ed-data.org/district/Santa-Clara/San-Jose-Unified - California Dept. of Education – District Profile
cde.ca.gov/sdprofile/details.aspx?cds=43696660000000 - CA Dept. of Education – ESSER I Funding
cde.ca.gov/fg/cr/esser.asp - CA Dept. of Education – ESSER III FAQs
cde.ca.gov/fg/cr/esseriiifaqs.asp - U.S. Dept. of Education – ESSER Fund
ed.gov/...elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief-fund - U.S. News Education – SJUSD Profile — $532M revenue, $16,520/student
usnews.com/.../san-jose-unified-104657 - Mercury News Editorial, March 25, 2025 — $366M→$492M spending, employee data
mercurynews.com/2025/03/25/editorial-voters-reject... - Mercury News, February 5, 2026 — "Up to 9 schools could close"
mercurynews.com/2026/02/05/up-to-9-san-jose-unified... - San José Spotlight, August 2024 — Bond measure, lottery data
sanjosespotlight.com/.../bond-measure-could-fund-teacher-housing... - San José Spotlight, November 2024 — Voter approval of school measures
sanjosespotlight.com/.../silicon-valley-voters-pass-multiple... - East Bay Times, Feb 24, 2025 — Measure A parcel tax renewal
eastbaytimes.com/2025/02/24/...additional-5-million... - East Bay Times, Jul 25, 2024 — Board rejects Grand Jury
eastbaytimes.com/2024/07/25/...rejects-findings... - La Voz News, May 22, 2025 — $30M+ health benefits underfunding
lavozdeanza.com/news/2025/05/22/sjusd-funding-mismanaged - KRON4, December 22, 2025 — Enrollment decline and closures
kron4.com/.../declining-enrollment-could-force... - KRON4, February 2026 — Three options released
kron4.com/.../san-jose-elementary-schools-facing... - Hoodline, February 2026 — School shakeup analysis
hoodline.com/2026/02/san-jose-school-shakeup-looms... - Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, 2024 — "District Adrift" report
Grand Jury Report (PDF) - Silicon Valley Debug — Grand Jury summary
siliconvalleydebug.org/.../grand-jury-report-confirms... - SF Chronicle, April 2022 — Bay Area enrollment comparison
sfchronicle.com/.../San-Francisco-lost-about-7-of-its... - EdSource – LCFF Database — SJUSD Basic Aid status
edsource.org/local-control-funding-formula-database/san-jose-unified.html - EdSource, October 2025 — Property tax inequality
edsource.org/2025/property-tax-driven-education-disparity/742256 - EdSource, June 2023 — CA ESSER spending rates
edsource.org/2023/.../692344 - FutureEd, April 2024 — California ESSER analysis
future-ed.org/california-esser-spending - SPUR Voter Guide, 2024 — Measure R analysis
spur.org/voter-guide/2024-11/sj-measure-r-school-bond - Opportunity Now SV, Oct 2024 — Candidate reactions
opportunitynowsv.org/.../measure-r - Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association — Revenue data, Measure Y
svtaxpayers.org/2016-san-jose-unified-school-parcel-tax - PublicSchoolReview – SJUSD — Per-pupil spending, state median
publicschoolreview.com/.../san-jose-unified-school-district/... - Fox & Hounds Daily / David Crane, 2017 — Benefits analysis
foxandhoundsdaily.com/2017/04/dissecting-san-jose-unified - Pandemic Oversight (PRAC) — ESSER state breakdown
pandemicoversight.gov/.../states-received-1895-billion... - Ballotpedia — Santa Clara County ballot measures
ballotpedia.org/Santa_Clara_County,_California_ballot_measures