San Jose, CA (June 29) -- In an attempt to achieve school district's efficiency, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury recommended for the consolidation of certain elementary/middle school districts with the existing high school district they serve without boundary changes.
This was the gist of the two reports issued by the Grand Jury on June 24 entitled, "Achieving School District Efficiency through Consolidation" and "Looking at Policies Our Schools Use to Find and Place Employees."
According to the reports, the Grand Jury found out that "while the school districts in Santa Clara County are doing well in all areas, there are redundant administrative functions that can be made more cost effective through school district consolidation."
The Grand Jury recommended that certain elementary/middle school districts will be merged with the existing high school district they serve without boundary changes. Students will not be affected because they will ideally attend the same schools they go prior to the consolidation and changes would be administrative, rather than geographical.
As contained in the reports, the proposed consolidation will offer financial and education benefits. "It will minimize the damage to classroom education as the school district is experiencing unprecedented financial stress resulting in the lay-off," the report stressed.
The proposal calls for the consolidation of four elementary/middle school districts into two union districts. "Creating these union school districts," the Gand Jury said, "will offer improved efficiency and cost savings in the light of the ailing economy."
As per proposal, the 31 school districts will be consolidated into 16 districts with each district having an elementary, middle, and at least a high school. With this consolidation, they expect easier communication and administration of the schools within the district.
In his initial reaction to the Grand Jury report, Dr. Charles Weis, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools said, "In the eyes of the Grand Jury, there is possible improvement to be made... Overall, both reports show that our districts are doing well in their areas."
"As always," Weis said, "There is room for improvement. The SCCOE will look for any way we can improve in light of these reports, and I'm sure the country's school districts and local communities will, too."
Districts included in these reports are given up to 90 days to provide an official response.
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