Board Meeting - Conversation about TIDE(5 messages)

Hi Alan, Chris, Sarver, Carrie, and Jim,

I hate that I'm writing to you under these circumstances, but I wanted to bring you into the conversation if you are interested. You were the brains and the muscle behind the creation of TIDE, and your insight and perspective are invaluable as we navigate what comes next. At tonight's board meeting on November 12, a Board Committee reported on its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal considerations related to TIDE Academy. Following that report, the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy.

Board members spoke about their responsibility to look at how we are using limited resources across the District. One of the concerns they raised is that, because TIDE is such a small school, continuing to operate it at its current size can, over time, result in fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE students than we can responsibly offer when resources are better aligned across the District. At the same time, we fully recognize that TIDE is a close-knit community and that even considering the possibility of closure is deeply upsetting.

I wanted to share this information directly with you and offer time to meet if you would like to ask questions or talk through what this means. I can also continue sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Please let me know if you are interested in a meeting and we can get something scheduled.

C-

Hi Alan, Chris, Sarver, Carrie, and Jim,

I hate that I'm writing to you under these circumstances, but I wanted to bring you into the conversation if you are interested. You were the brains and the muscle behind the creation of TIDE, and your insight and perspective are invaluable as we navigate what comes next. At tonight's board meeting on November 12, a Board Committee reported on its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal considerations related to TIDE Academy. Following that report, the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy.

Board members spoke about their responsibility to look at how we are using limited resources across the District. One of the concerns they raised is that, because TIDE is such a small school, continuing to operate it at its current size can, over time, result in fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE students than we can responsibly offer when resources are better aligned across the District. At the same time, we fully recognize that TIDE is a close-knit community and that even considering the possibility of closure is deeply upsetting.

I wanted to share this information directly with you and offer time to meet if you would like to ask questions or talk through what this means. I can also continue sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Please let me know if you are interested in a meeting and we can get something scheduled.

C-

Crystal,

I'd be happy to participate, if you believe we can be helpful.

I understand that closing a school can be tough, and you're correct to recall that our board was thoughtful and diligent in adding the Tide option to the wonderful mix of Sequoia options to meet the diversity of student needs.

Thanks for reaching out to us.

Chris

On Nov 12, 2025, at 8:21 PM, Crystal Leach <cleach@seq.org> wrote:

Hi Alan, Chris, Sarver, Carrie, and Jim,

I hate that I'm writing to you under these circumstances, but I wanted to bring you into the conversation if you are interested. You were the brains and the muscle behind the creation of TIDE, and your insight and perspective are invaluable as we navigate what comes next. At tonight's board meeting on November 12, a Board Committee reported on its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal considerations related to TIDE Academy. Following that report, the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy.

Board members spoke about their responsibility to look at how we are using limited resources across the District. One of the concerns they raised is that, because TIDE is such a small school, continuing to operate it at its current size can, over time, result in fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE students than we can responsibly offer when resources are better aligned across the District. At the same time, we fully recognize that TIDE is a close-knit community and that even considering the possibility of closure is deeply upsetting.

I wanted to share this information directly with you and offer time to meet if you would like to ask questions or talk through what this means. I can also continue sharing updates as more information becomes available.

Please let me know if you are interested in a meeting and we can get something scheduled.

C-

Crystal,

If I can be of any assistance I would be happy to come in, but my involvement with TIDE began
with the passage of the bond in 2014 and ended with my retirement in 2017. The construction of
the school had just broken ground when I left. I can certainly provide information on why the
school was created and what our working plans for the instructional model were in 2017, but I’m
not sure how that helps you address the current situation. If it does, let me know. I would be
happy to come in.

Jim

On Nov 13, 2025, at 11:18 AM, Christopher Thomsen
wrote:

Crystal,

I’d be happy to participate, if you believe we can be helpful.

I understand that closing a school can be tough, and you’re correct to recall that our
board was thoughtful and diligent in adding the Tide option to the wonderful mix of
Sequoia options to meet the diversity of student needs.

Thanks for reaching out to us.

Chris

On Nov 12, 2025, at 8:21 PM, Crystal Leach wrote:

Hi Alan, Chris, Sarver, Carrie, and Jim,

I hate that I’m writing to you under these circumstances, but I wanted to
bring you into the conversation if you are interested. You were the

brains and the muscle behind the creation of TIDE, and your insight and
perspective are invaluable as we navigate what comes next. At tonight’s
board meeting on November 12, a Board Committee reported on
its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal
considerations related to TIDE Academy. Following that report,
the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District
would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy.

Board members spoke about their responsibility to look at how
we are using limited resources across the District. One of the
concerns they raised is that, because TIDE is such a small
school, continuing to operate it at its current size can, over time,
result in fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE
students than we can responsibly offer when resources are better
aligned across the District. At the same time, we fully recognize
that TIDE is a close-knit community and that even considering
the possibility of closure is deeply upsetting.

I wanted to share this information directly with you and offer time to
meet if you would like to ask questions or talk through what this means.
I can also continue sharing updates as more information becomes
available.

Please let me know if you are interested in a meeting and we can
get something scheduled.

C-

Crystal Leach, Superintendent

Sequoia Union High School District

480 James Avenue

Redwood City, California 94062
(650) 369-1411

Hi, Crystal. I hope you're doing well. It's lovely to hear from you, although -- as you note -- the reason that you're reaching out is not the happiest.

Although I would be delighted to meet with you -- if for no other reason than to say hello and catch up :) -- I'd be grateful if you could provide some additional insights on the purposes of such a meeting. As a threshold matter, it would be very helpful to know if the Board has, in fact, decided to close TIDE, or if it has made a more tentative decision to consider the pros and cons of such a closure. If it's the former, it's not clear what a meeting would accomplish. We did not close any schools during my time on the Board, so I don't have any particular insights to share about how to do that.

If it's the latter, i.e., if District leadership is interested in reflecting on the original goals of establishing TIDE and assessing how its current performance (both academic and financial) either reflects, or doesn't reflect, those goals, I would be happy to meet with you to discuss the situation.

Thanks, and stay well --
Allen

From: Crystal Leach <cleach@seq.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 8:21 PM
To: Alan Sarver; Christopher Thomsen <cthomsen@stanford.edu>; Carrie Du Bois <carrie.dubois@ggsir.com>; Allen S. Weiner <aweiner@stanford.edu>; Jim Lianides
Subject: Board Meeting - Conversation about TIDE

Hi Alan, Chris, Sarver, Carrie, and Jim,

I hate that I'm writing to you under these circumstances, but I wanted to bring you into the conversation if you are interested. You were the brains and the muscle behind the creation of TIDE, and your insight and perspective are invaluable as we navigate what comes next. At tonight’s board meeting on November 12, a Board Committee reported on its review of enrollment, programs, and long-term fiscal considerations related to TIDE Academy. Following that report, the Board directed me to develop a plan for how the District would discuss a possible closure of TIDE Academy. Board members spoke about their responsibility to look at how we are using limited resources across the District. One of the concerns they raised is that, because TIDE is such a small school, continuing to operate it at its current size can, over time, result in fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE students than we can responsibly offer when resources are better aligned across the District. At the same time, we fully recognize that TIDE is a close-knit community and that even considering the possibility of closure is deeply upsetting. I wanted to share this information directly with you and offer time to meet if you would like to ask questions or talk through what this means. I can also continue sharing updates as more information becomes available. Please let me know if you are interested in a meeting and we can get something scheduled. C- Crystal Leach, Superintendent Sequoia Union High School District 480 James Avenue Redwood City, California 94062 (650) 369-1411