The Metropolitan Education District could be cutting all of its recreational classes for adults, due to statewide budget cuts. If voters fail to approve the extension of temporary tax measures as proposed by Governor Jerry Brown, MetroED’s entire adult education program could be in jeopardy.
Faced with severe budget deficits, the San Jose Unified School District voted last week to focus on K-12 education, and shift funds for adult education there. At stake was $3.5 million. Rather than using it for Spanish for Seniors or art classes, the school board decided to eliminate five furlough days that were imposed on schools last year and to restore summer school and remedial classes.
MetroED was once one of the most successful adult education programs in the nation, serving 115,000 students annually. While many of the classes had a nominal fee, that money was used to cover the cost of the teacher, leaving the school board to pay for the overhead. Now, with the most recent budget cuts, two of the three campuses that offered adult education programs will be shut down, and classes such as ESL and vocational training will be consolidated. All surviving programs will be held at the Hillside Avenue campus.
To-Do List: Jan. 31-Feb. 4 
