Re: Potential TIDE closure(1 messages)

Hi Jennifer,

I know Simone is responding separately with her answer to the question you directed to her. Meanwhile, I wanted to provide a bit more detail about the process ahead. As I'm sure you gathered from listening to the meeting, the Board did not vote to close TIDE Academy on November 12, but it did direct Superintendent Leach to bring a plan to the December 10 Board meeting for how the District will discuss and consider a possible closure of TIDE Academy. This plan will outline communication steps, community engagement, and what information and data will be brought back to the Board.

This is not brand-new work. For several years, the District has been examining its structural deficit and monitoring enrollment trends at TIDE Academy as part of a broader review of how resources are used to support students and sustain strong programs over time. TIDE is a very small school, and the District is facing a structural deficit -- ongoing costs are growing faster than ongoing revenue. Unfortunately, operating a very small school increases per-student costs and limits program breadth. Over time, continuing to operate TIDE at its current size can mean fewer classes, electives, and program options for TIDE students than we can offer when resources are better aligned across the District.

As Trustee Thompson mentioned in her remarks, no one wants to close a school. The Board understands that even talking about this possibility is upsetting and unsettling for students, families, and staff, and does not take that impact lightly.

On December 10, the Superintendent will present a proposed process and timeline for how the District will discuss and consider TIDE's future, including communication steps, community meetings in December and January, and a description of what information will come back to the Board. December 10 is not a final decision about closing TIDE.

Hope this is helpful.

Best,

Naomi

On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM Jennifer Yoshikoshi <jyoshikoshi@embarcaderomedia.org> wrote:

Thanks for getting back to me! I look forward to connecting with you, Naomi.

Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Reporter, Almanac News
2345 Yale St. Fl. 1
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650.326.8210 650.223.6536 (direct)

On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 12:23 PM Simone Rick-Kennel <srkennel@seq.org> wrote:

Hi Jennifer-

I have connected with Naomi on this and she will reach out to you later today.

Thanks,
Simone

On Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM Jennifer Yoshikoshi <jyoshikoshi@embarcaderomedia.org> wrote:

Hi Naomi and Simone,

I just caught up to the board meeting from Wednesday and heard that there is a consideration to close TIDE. I wanted to reach out to you, Simone, about how you feel with announcement, what the school will be doing next, and whether you have received any communication about how the community can share their input.

If you can get back to me as soon as possible, that would be great. If a phone interview is easier, you can call me on my personal cell at [REDACTED].

Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Reporter, Almanac News
2345 Yale St. Fl. 1
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650.326.8210 650.223.6536 (direct)