Elementary schools on the chopping block in San Jose

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Eight schools in San Jose's Oak Grove School District have been identified for possible closure come next school year.

The superintendent says enrollment is down and the district can't afford to operate all of its current schools.

Monday night, hundreds of people packed the auditorium at Bernal Intermediate School to speak in front of the Consolidation Committee.

Parents, teachers, even students took turns at the microphone to make the case to keep their school open. Many speakers became emotional talking about the teachers and community spirit of their school.

Five schools in the district's south region were on the agenda:

Baldwin Elementary

Frost Elementary

Glider Elementary

Oak Ridge Elementary

Santa Teresa Elementary

A second forum is scheduled for December 11th to address three schools in the west region:

Anderson Elementary

Del Roble Elementary

Miner Elementary

The Consolidation Committee will recommend to the school board 3 to 5 campuses for closure.

The board is expected to make a decision in February.