As these alternatives are developed, it is quite likely that they will point the way to the need for changes in ESUHSD. This will be no easy task! But as embattled ESUHSD trustees deal with ever more chaos, it is becoming increasingly clear that ESUHSD may have outlived its usefulness to the community or simply grown too big to respond to local concerns. Today, ESUHSD serves over 24,000 students spread across 11 campuses, or 60% of all high school children in San Jose. Whatever the impact on ESUHSD of these developing strategies, their pursuit is in no way an indictment of the people involved in running ESUHSD, as we admire their resolve in these troubling times. 

What we seek from both EESD and ESUHSD is their assistance in refining and shaping all community alternatives. We do this as a matter of practical necessity.

For those of you that attended the EESD Board Meeting on January 20th, you heard my pleading for the Board to join with the community in a process call Unification. Unification is a serious remedy, a remedy with the advantage of enhancing community control over community educational resources. It is believed that more local community control in the hand of trustees that more clearly understand community goals, will result in better academic articulation throughout a newly formed K-12 Unified School District. Enhancing the education experience for all children and families in the community. 

But Unification is not without its risks. The Evergreen Community would suffer as a Unified District if it were not willing to commit to these critical tasks:

1) Supporting the financial need of EESD
2) Rebuilding of Silver Creek High School
3) Stabilization of Evergreen Valley High School
4) Building of one or perhaps two new community high schools
5) Establish and Fund the Evergreen Academic Performance Trust

There are also risks for ESUHSD as well. As Silver Creek and Evergreen Valley High Schools withdraw from the district, it may lose a disproportionate amount of the state funding (ADA) that is currently shifted to other schools. This the result of the documented under enrollment in certain district schools, for example, James Lick and Overfelt and over enrollment is others, like Silver Creek and Evergreen Valley. To avoid placing any community or school at a disadvantage during the transition to a Unified district, EESD and ESUHSD trustees will have to work closely with the County Office of Education, under the leadership of Dr. Colleen Wilcox. This will be difficult but under her leadership not impossible. 

There are also risks for the Evergreen community if this transition to local control is not managed successfully. One example is the outstanding work being done by the Evergreen Visionary Project (EVP) under the leadership of District 8 San Jose Councilmember, Mr. Dave Cortese. Following 24 months of intensive community outreach, this project will shortly reach City Council Chambers for approval of a reported 4,000 - 6,000 new community homes. If the project proceeds, Silver Creek and Evergreen Valley High Schools will increase student population dramatically, perhaps reaching 4,000 - 5,000, while other schools in ESUHSD may lose students. The topic of shifting attendance boundaries is a difficult one for ESUHSD trustees and is not a likely solution to this overcrowding. The dilemma this presents is that if EVP does not proceed, the Evergreen community will lose the economic benefit such development is certain to bring. 

Yes, there are risks in the plan I have outlined. I find them acceptable, as we also find the thought of maintaining the status quo totally unacceptable. We start this effort thinking of those who will surely follow seeing the need for change. If you are such a person, know that your family is joining in an effort that will shape the quality and integrity of our community for years to come. It is an effort that will bind us together for life.