Welcome to San José Unified

Our Road Map

San José Unified’s strategic plan was developed with extensive input from students, staff, families, and members of the public. The plan was adopted by the Board of Education in June 2017. We leverage our strategic plan to prioritize the initiatives that help us achieve our vision. We are preparing today’s students to be the thinkers, leaders, and creators of tomorrow with:

A rigorous curriculum that inspires all students to discover their own greatness

• Our students excel – All schools and student groups will score in the two highest performance levels on the California School Dashboard for English language arts, mathematics, English Learner progress, graduation rate, and college and career readiness.

An innovative workforce that knows the lessons we learn are just as important as the lessons we teach

• We hire the best – All new employees will pass rigorous screening assessments.
• We succeed in a competitive talent market – All roles will be filled on the first day of school.
• We are a strong team – At least 95% of staff meeting performance standards will be retained.

A unified community that elevates opportunities for all

• Our students feel safe – At least 80% of students will feel supported and have positive school connections.
• Our families feel engaged – At least 80% of families will feel involved in their student’s education.

Enhanced resources that make the extraordinary ordinary

• Our students spend more time learning – All schools and student groups, as measured both locally and by the state, will score in the two highest performance levels on the California School Dashboard for suspension rate and student attendance.
• We allocate resources based on need – 100% of supplemental funds will directly support our highest-need students.

An efficient system that asks and answers the questions, “Why?” and “What if?”

• We cover the basics – All schools and the district will meet standards as measured by the California School Dashboard for basic services, implementation of academic standards, parent engagement, and feedback through a local climate survey.
• We budget responsibly – Annual expenses will be within 15% of projections, or we will be able to explain why.
• We follow through – Initiatives will redefine what is possible and achieve stated goals.

Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP)

The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a three-year plan that describes the goals actions, services, and expenditures to support the improvement of outcomes for all students. The goals are required to focus on the eight priority areas defined by the state and provides an opportunity for San José Unified to share its stories of how, what, and why programs and services are selected to meet local needs.

San José Unified’s LCAP is designed to meet the needs of all students, in particular our English learners, low-income students, foster youth, and students with disabilities.

San José Unified LCAP Documents
2021–22 Comprehensive Support and Improvement State Approval
Federal LCAP Addendum 2021-2022
Eight priority areas

Meet the Team

San José Unified’s policies, procedures, and initiatives are managed at the district level by the Superintendent, her Council, and Directors of various departments. These administrators support our 4,000 employees across more than 40 schools and other sites.

Click here to meet our team.

Public Records Requests

San José Unified responds to requests for public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code sections 6250 et seq. If the District determines non-exempt, disclosable public records exist, they will be made available within a reasonable timeframe and following the required payment, if applicable, for copies of such records.

Requests may be submitted to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or through the Contact Us form.

Information on CPRA Requests

Information contained in a CPRA request is considered public record, and may be subject to public inspection, pursuant to Government Code Section 6252(e).

The District will make every effort to provide responsive records in a reasonable time.  You will be notified within ten days from the date of receipt of your request:

• Whether the District has records responsive to your request and the page count and required payment, if applicable, to produce copies of such records, and/or
• If the District has records responsive to your request, but which are exempt from disclosure and the reasons for exemption, and/or
• In case the District requires an extension of time to determine whether it has records responsive to your request.

If your request was received after business hours or on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will be considered the date of receipt.  The 10-day response period starts with the first calendar day after the date of receipt (Cal. Civ. Code § 10.).  You will be contacted if there are questions regarding your request.

The request must be focused, specific, and clear enough so that the District can understand what record or records are being sought.  San José Unified is not required by law to create a record or list from an existing record, nor is the District required to produce records in an electronic format when the requested records are not available in electronic format at the time of the request. Copies of public records will not be provided if disclosure is exempt in accordance with law. Exempt records may include personal and/or confidential information.

For more information, please refer to the provisions of the California Public Records Act or contact the Public Information Officer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Become a Vendor

San José Unified’s Purchasing and Contracts Management Department manages the procurement of the district’s supplies and services. If you’d like to work with San José Unified, please submit a vendor application request form.

Please review the Notice of Data Breach document before submitting your application.

If you have questions, you may contact the Purchasing and Contracts Management Department between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday:

Phone: (408) 535-6141
Fax: (408) 535-2312
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Rent our Facilities

San José Unified uses an online facility request and rental system called Facilitron. Through the system, renters can view facility photos and descriptions, see real-time availability, and request quotes. Facilitron is responsible for the collection of Certificates of Insurance on behalf of San José Unified, as well as payment for facility use.

To view our available facilities, visit facilitron.com/sjusd95126.

If you need assistance setting up an account or placing a facility use request, please contact Facilitron at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by calling (800)-272-2962.

Issues and Complaints

Issue Resolution

San José Unified believes that the quality of the educational program can improve when the district listens to feedback, considers differences of opinion, and resolves disagreements through an established, objective process.  We encourage students, parents and guardians, staff, and community members to resolve issues early and informally whenever possible. Full issue resolution procedures specifies how issues should be raised and escalated, if needed, to ensure we follow a consistent process.

STEP 1 Contact your child’s teacher

Maintaining open communication with your student’s teacher is essential.  If you have a concern, please contact your child’s teacher to discuss your concern.  The teacher knows your student the best and can most appropriately respond to your concerns.  We recommend contacting the teacher as soon as you have a concern so they can assist with resolution.

STEP 2 Contact the principal

If you have been unable to resolve your concern by talking to the teacher, let the teacher know you are going to contact the principal.  Contact the school principal to make an appointment to discuss your concern.  As the school leader, the principal is responsible for providing guidance and leadership to students and staff and can provide resources, support, and perspective to create common understanding.

STEP 3 File a formal complaint

If you have been unable to resolve your concern by talking to your child’s teacher and the principal, let the principal know you will be filing a formal complaint following San José Unified’s complaint procedures.

Formal Complaints

If an issue remains unresolved after following the Issue Resolution Procedure, a formal complaint may be submitted using the district’s complaint policies, regulations, and procedures.  Complaints will be reviewed within the timeframe specified in the applicable policy and procedures.

San José Unified has established procedures for handling different types of complaints in accordance with the California Education Code.  These complaint procedures are governed by the Board of Education policies and regulations. 

Complaint forms should be submitted to:

Director of Student Services
San José Unified
855 Lenzen Ave
San José, CA 95126

Types of Complaints

Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP)

School districts have a primary responsibility to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing educational programs.  This complaint procedure governs formal complaints of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying on the basis of a person’s actual or perceived protected class: age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability, actual or potential marital, family, or parental status; or on a person’s association with one or more of these characteristics in any program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. The UCP may also be used when addressing complaints alleging failure to comply with state and/or federal laws regarding particular programs that receive state financial assistance, LCAP, and/or pupil fees. More information regarding UCPs can be found in the Notice and Form. 

UCP Notice and Form
Board Policy 1312.3 – Uniform Complaints
Administrative Regulation 1312.3 – Uniform Complaints

Williams Uniform Complaints

Complaints concerning instructional materials will be accepted only from staff, district residents, or the parents/guardians of children enrolled in a district school. 

Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials Form
Board Policy 1312.2 – Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials
Administrative Regulation 1312.2 – Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials

Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials

Complaints concerning instructional materials will be accepted only from staff, district residents, or the parents/guardians of children enrolled in a district school. 

Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials Form
Board Policy 1312.2 – Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials
Administrative Regulation 1312.2 – Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials

Complaints Concerning District Employees

Every effort should be made to resolve concerns at the site or office level at the earliest possible stage.  If a complainant is unable or unwilling to resolve the complaint directly with the employee, they may submit a formal complaint. 

Complaints Concerning District Employees Form
Board Policy 1312.1 – Complaints Concerning District Employees
Administrative Regulation 1312.1 – Complaints Concerning District Employees

Feedback on Other Issues

Issues that do not fall under one of the types of complaints are not governed by law, a policy, or procedures.  For these types of issues, we recommend sharing your feedback.

Feedback

San José Unified values feedback from our community.  Please share your feedback using this form, and your feedback will be shared with the appropriate staff.

Bonds & Construction

General obligation bonds give school districts a tool to raise funds for construction and maintenance projects that will not provide direct sources of revenue but will serve the entire community. This includes classrooms and media centers, multi-purpose rooms and gyms, air conditioning, and solar energy systems.

We’re grateful to voters who have approved three bond measures over the past 20 years to help San José Unified provide clean and well-maintained facilities for 30,000-plus students, improve energy efficiency, modernize science facilities and classrooms, upgrade classroom technology, improve safety and security, and much more.

If you have any questions about bonds and construction in San José Unified, please send us an email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

If you’d like to learn more, please read our Facilities and Construction Glossary of Terms.

Measure H

More than 71% of voters approved Measure H in November 2012, allowing San José Unified to issue $290 million in general obligation bonds to improve energy efficiency, keep schools clean and well-maintained, modernize science facilities and classrooms, upgrade classroom technology, and improve safety and security.

All Measure H projects have been completed. Access annual audit and performance reports.

Measure F

More than 69% of voters approved Measure F in March 2002, allowing San José Unified to issue $429 million in general obligation bonds to repair and rehabilitate local schools over a 6-9 year period. Every school in the district benefitted from the bond proceeds.

All Measure F projects have been completed. The bonds, including interest, are being paid off over a 30-year period through a temporary increase in the property tax rate. Click here to read and download annual auditor and performance reports.

Measure C

More than 73% of voters approved Measure C in June 1997, allowing San José Unified to issue $165 million in general obligation bonds to: repair existing neighborhood schools; fix and replace deteriorating roofs, gas, sewer and water lines, heating, ventilation and electrical systems; wire classrooms and computer labs for technology; renovate, construct, and acquire classrooms; remodel outdated toilet and science facilities; and improve safety and security of schools and playgrounds.

All Measure C projects have been completed. Click here to read and download annual auditor, performance, and oversight committee reports.

Proposition 39

Approved by voters in a statewide election in November 2000, Proposition 39 amended the California Constitution to authorize the issuance of bonded indebtedness to acquire or improve real property, if approved by fifty-five percent (55%) of the votes cast by voters in an election. The Constitution permits the debt service on such bonds to be paid through the imposition of ad valorem property taxes on property located within the district.

The maturity of any such bonds issued would not exceed 25 years for those bonds issued pursuant to the Education Code, and 40 years for those bonds issued pursuant to the Government Code, at a rate of interest within the legal limit. The tax rate is estimated not to exceed $60 per $100,000 of taxable property in the district as provided in the Tax Rate Statement.

Since the interest rate on the bonds is determined when the bonds are sold, the exact amount of the tax increase can only be determined after the bonds are sold.

Learn more about Prop 39

Contractors & Vendors

Are you a contractor or vendor who would like to receive requests for proposal (RFP) for construction projects in San José Unified? Please complete this simple form.

Your information will be forwarded to the Construction Department.