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Hundreds of speakers urge Sequoia trustees not to close TIDE Academy; parents, students and staff call for alternatives
Summary
Dozens of students, parents, teachers and TIDE Academy supporters urged the Sequoia Union High School District board to halt plans to close the school, saying the district presented incomplete or misleading data and that TIDE's dual-enrollment and support model produces strong outcomes for marginalized students.
An overflow public-comment period at the Sequoia Union High School District board meeting became the focal point for opposition to a proposed closure of TIDE Academy, where dozens of students, parents, staff and community members made one-minute remarks urging the board to keep the school open and pursue alternatives.
Speakers described TIDE as a small-school model that produces high graduation rates and broad access to college credit through dual enrollment. "TIDE's model is more accessible, more effective, and is giving students the best chance after high school," said a TIDE student, Leila, during the recognition segment earlier in the meeting; later speakers repeated that theme: "TIDE might not have been designed for us, but it has become our community," one alumnus said.
Educators and parents pressed trustees on the district's analysis, accusing staff of selectively presenting data and failing to control for differences in demographics and special-education status. "Comparing TIDE to the entire school district has a faulty comparison," said Erin Rubin, a community speaker, arguing that apples-to-apples comparisons (for example, versus Sequoia High School) better reflect TIDE's performance. Rebecca O'Brien, a commenter with education research experience, urged statistical adjustment for confounding variables and called the district presentation "cherry picked."
TIDE staff and students described the school's supports: small classes, mental-health services, wraparound counseling, daily advisor check-ins, and a 100% graduation rate for IEP students in recent years. Adrianna Stone, TIDE social-studies department chair, asked the board to consider geographic and access factors when evaluating enrollment and diversity metrics, noting that proximity to East Palo Alto influences enrollments.
Several speakers requested delay and alternatives to immediate closure, including a multi-year stabilization plan, independent review of raw data, and campus visits. Speakers also highlighted the potential economic and staffing consequences of closing a young school with experienced, tenured staff.
Response and next steps: Superintendent Leach said the district has posted a TIDE information page with an FAQ and recording of a two-part data presentation; financial information will be presented the following night, and the board scheduled a study session Jan. 26 and a special meeting Feb. 4 when the superintendent will deliver a recommendation. Trustees and staff committed to post disaggregated data and to accept more written input from the community.
