COE Opens New
Special Ed Site in Gilroy

GILROY—A new 7,000-square-foot facility that serves special education students of the Santa Clara County Office of Education was officially opened on April 24 in Gilroy.

The Brownell facility, at Hanna and Third Streets, replaces portable buildings. It was designed and built specifically to meet the needs of the school's special education students. Most of the students are from school districts in Gilroy, Morgan Hill and south San Jose.

"In the nearly 30 years that I've been in special education, I don't know when I've been more pleased for students and staff," said Joe Fimiani, assistant superintendent for Student Services at the COE.

The facility boasts four spacious classrooms, a central open-air courtyard, kitchen and dining room, and a library. Special windows provide natural lighting and ventilation, and paint and carpets were selected to eliminate hazardous chemicals.

Funding for the $4 million facility came from money raised by Proposition 55, a measure for the sale of bonds for school facilities construction and renovation, which California voters approved in 2004.

Also included among speakers at the ceremony were Principal Laurene Beto and County Board of Education member Jane Howard. Following the ceremony, student hosts led visitors on a tour.

The COE provides classes and direct services to about 2,200 students with special needs in Santa Clara County.

Date last updated: April 28, 2009