Franklin-McKinley School District School Closures, Consolidation and Attendance Boundary Adjustments
Summary
SCH Number
2025040305
Public Agency
Franklin-McKinley School District
Document Title
Franklin-McKinley School District School Closures, Consolidation and Attendance Boundary Adjustments
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/4/2025
Document Description
The Franklin-McKinley School District in San Jose approved the closure of Los Arboles, McKinley, and Ramblewood Elementary Schools (Resolution No. 2025-07, February 2025) in response to a prolonged enrollment decline of approximately 26 percent (2,817 students) between the 1997-98 and 2023-24 academic years.
The closures will consolidate operations into six receiving schools: Bridges Academy, G.W. Hellyer Elementary, Lairon College Preparatory Academy, George Shirakawa Sr. School, Sylvandale Elementary, and Santee Elementary. The consolidation plan includes boundary adjustments for all receiving schools to balance enrollment and ensure equitable student distribution.
The District also approved grade reconfigurations at Lairon College Preparatory Academy and George Shirakawa Sr. School. Lairon College Preparatory Academy, currently serving grades 4-8, will be reconfigured to serve K-6, integrating Los Arboles Elementary’s K-3 programs. George Shirakawa Sr. School, currently serving PK-8, will also transition to a K-6 model. Additionally, the project includes the potential future installation of a single restroom facility at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and one at Santee Elementary School.
Contact Information
Name
Jason Vann
Agency Name
Franklin-McKinley School District
Job Title
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
San Jose
Counties
Santa Clara
Regions
Citywide
Cross Streets
multiple
Zip
95112-2617
Parcel #
multiple
State Highways
SR 82; 87; 130
Railways
Santa Clara VTA light rail line
Airports
Reid-Hillview Airport
Schools
multiple
Waterways
Coyote Creek
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15282(i)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it involves the closure of Los Arboles, McKinley, and Ramblewood Elementary Schools and the consolidation of operations into Bridges Academy, G.W. Hellyer Elementary, Lairon College Preparatory Academy, George Shirakawa Sr. School, Sylvandale Middle School, and Santee Elementary. Grade reconfigurations will accompany the school closure and consolidation efforts. Lairon College Preparatory Academy, currently serving grades 4-8, will be reconfigured to serve grades K-6. George Shirakawa Sr. School, which currently serves grades K-8, will also be reconfigured to serve grades K-6.
The receiving schools are expected to accommodate the projected 2025-26 enrollment without the need for portable classrooms. However, to account for potential future needs, the District is considering the potential addition of a single restroom facility at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and one at Santee Elementary School. The installation of these restroom facilities would not increase enrollment capacity at any receiving school.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as each receiving school is an existing facility, and the project involves the operation and minor alteration of these facilities with negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The receiving schools are expected to accommodate the projected 2025-26 enrollment without requiring portable classrooms. However, to account for potential future needs, the District is considering the potential addition of a single restroom facility at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and one at Santee Elementary School. These restroom facilities would not increase enrollment capacity at any receiving school.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15303
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it may include the addition of a single restroom facility at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and one at Santee Elementary School. These restroom facilities would not increase enrollment capacity at any receiving school. The receiving schools are expected to accommodate the projected 2025-26 enrollment without requiring portable classrooms, and no physical modifications beyond the potential restroom additions are anticipated.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15311
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it may include the addition of a single restroom facility at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and one at Santee Elementary School. These restroom facilities would not increase enrollment capacity at any receiving school. The receiving schools are expected to accommodate the projected 2025-26 enrollment without requiring portable classrooms, and no physical modifications beyond the potential restroom additions are anticipated.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15314
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project qualifies for this exemption as it may include the addition of a single restroom facility at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and one at Santee Elementary School. These restroom facilities would not increase enrollment capacity at any receiving school. The receiving schools are expected to accommodate the projected 2025-26 enrollment without requiring portable classrooms, and no physical modifications beyond the potential restroom additions are anticipated.
The projected 2025-26 enrollment indicates that all receiving schools will have excess capacity after consolidation. While all receiving schools have sufficient capacity, including available space, the possible restroom additions would be solely intended to support future operational needs and would not expand enrollment capacity. Therefore, the proposed consolidation and grade reconfigurations, including the potential future addition of restroom facilities would not result in a 25 percent increase in enrollment or the addition of 10 classrooms.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15322
Reasons for Exemption
The Franklin-McKinley School District approved the closure of Los Arboles, McKinley, and Ramblewood Elementary Schools, along with grade reconfigurations at Lairon College Preparatory Academy and George Shirakawa Sr. School (Resolution 2025-07, February 2025).
This exemption is applicable as the project involves modification of educational programs through the closure of three schools and the consolidation of operations into six receiving schools. Among the receiving schools, Bridges Academy and Sylvandale Middle School are not expected to undergo any physical changes. Should the restroom facilities at G.W. Hellyer Elementary and Santee Elementary, as discussed throughout this report, not be implemented, this exemption would also extend to those schools.
County Clerk
Santa Clara
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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