This is yet another story about the lack of affordable housing in greater Silicon Valley.

It’s still very early in the process but the San Jose Unified School District is trying to identify properties that have the potential to support employee housing projects.

One proposal that is already meeting strong opposition would be to tear down Leland High School in the Almaden Valley.

It is an idea that came to light as part of a recently released master plan that would see Leland High and nearby Brett Harte Middle School be torn down and replaced with affordable housing for teachers and other district employees. The two schools would then be re-built on or near some vacant, district-owned land a few miles away. 

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition opposing the idea, including Leland alum Greg Braley.

Neighbors fear low-income housing would negatively impact their property values. Leland High is one of nine schools to be evaluated for the potential to better serve students, positively address enrollment imbalances, and support badly needed employee housing.

Teachers can’t afford to live in San Jose, says Deputy District Superintendent Stephen McMahon.

The other schools on the list are Walter Bachordt, Selma Olinder, and Gardner Elementary. Others include River Glen, a K-8 school, Peter Burnett, and Pine Hill, both middle schools.

The district office itself on Lenzen Avenue is also on the list.

The first of several planned community meetings will be getting underway shortly at Leland High.

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