Although the idea is still in the developmental stages, district officials say the commercial space could generate much-needed revenue during a time when finances are tight.

"It's only a potential at this point as an alternative source of funding," said Pam Foley, San Jose Unified School District trustee.

At the San Jose Unified School District Board of Education meeting on Feb. 17, district staff gave an informational reading about the proposed retail space, and received input from the public.

"I have spent time with business folks, and they tell me to think outside of the box," Superintendent Don Iglesias said. "One of the things we need is to generate revenue. We don't have money, but we have property."

Iglesias noted that the proposed commercial space would not be leased to a major corporation like Starbucks or McDonalds. Instead, he said, the district would rent the space to a "compatible" organization, such as United Way or Catholic Charities.

"When you do joint use, it has to be approved by the school board, and you have to address the impact on instructional programs and the surrounding neighborhood," he said.

Parents said they are sympathetic to the district's budget crisis.

"When schools are closing and librarians are being laid off, we can't ignore our options for raising money," said Andrea Wheeler, president of the Willow Glen Elementary Parent and Teacher Association. "Willow Glen Elementary is in a unique position where commercial space may be feasible."

But what might not be feasible, Wheeler added, is finding adequate parking to support a commercial space. She said the district has not sufficiently addressed concerns about parking.

"The PTA is not opposed to this, but we can't truly support it until we have answers," she said.

According to Willow Glen Elementary parent Bob Mulvany, the parking shortage has the potential to affect neighboring residences and businesses as well.

"If you add additional retail, with employees and patrons, you will exacerbate the already limited parking," he said. "This will impact businesses and side streets."

Willow Glen Elementary parent Mary Schorr, who lives on a side street near the school, said she was also concerned that a commercial space could add traffic congestion to her street. She said she would like to see the district investigate options to alleviate a potential parking problem.

"One of the biggest reasons the retail space is not a good idea is that the parking issue is not being addressed," Schorr said. "The school site doesn't have visitor parking."

To ease the parking burden on side streets, Foley suggested the district look into acquiring parking in nearby lots At the board meeting, San Jose Unified School District construction director Ty Williams said the district would explore its options to provide adequate parking.

"We will work with the city [to access parking] either in parking lots or future garages," he said.

To resolve neighborhood concerns, Foley said, the community needs to be involved in the district's plans. "The community needs to buy into the idea," she said. "If they can't get support, then we shouldn't move forward."

But parents and staff emphasized that community members need not be concerned about the appearance of the new building.

"The design of the building is fabulous," Wheeler said. "It will fit in with the look of downtown Willow Glen. And we can continue to do community activities, like the farmer's market and tree lighting ceremony, that have raised funds for the school."

Willow Glen Elementary School Principal Dayle D'Anna is also pleased with the design of the building. And the presence of the building, she said, will augment the children's safety by shielding the playground.

"The structure will protect us," she said. "We'll have a courtyard inside the playground area."

And the faculty is generally positive about the building proposal, with or without the commercial space, she said. Some staff members have raised questions about parking, but most of their concerns are about the building itself and making sure, for instance, that it has enough classrooms to accommodate the students.

D'Anna speculated that much of the negativity surrounding the project stems from uncertainty.

"The unknown is creating discomfort," she said.