Jefferson Elementary School District Opens Affordable Teacher Housing Complex, First K-8 Staff Housing in San Mateo County

Addressing housing affordability for teachers, Eastmoor Heights’ 56 rental units ensure residents can reside in the same community where they work.

Media Contact: Toni Barone, (650) 746-2450, tbarone@jeffersonesd.org

Daly City, CA (August 7, 2024) - Jefferson Elementary School District (JESD) celebrated the grand opening of Eastmoor Heights, the faculty and staff housing development it built with support from the City of Daly City and funding from Measure U (2018) to resolve the issue of the rising cost of living for its educators. Located at 305 Eastmoor Avenue, Eastmoor Heights is the first facility of its kind in San Mateo County for a California K-8 school district and the second project for a public school district in San Mateo County.

The much-needed housing facility will provide teachers with the opportunity to live in affordable, well-appointed, centrally located housing, increasing JESD’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and staff. Eastmoor Heights contains 56 housing units in two-story and three-story buildings surrounding a courtyard, community building, and a play area for children. About 56 to 70 employees will live in the units.

“This project brings to life our commitment to supporting our faculty and staff,” said Sandy Mikulik, Superintendent, Jefferson Elementary School District. “Staff and teacher housing is a known solution for all school districts. Our educators can focus on inspiring and educating our students instead of considering relocating due to high housing costs. Residents of Daly City have made it possible for us to recruit and retain the best teachers and staff for our schools. We are also thrilled to receive increased interest in job applicants. This is a step forward for our school district culture and recruitment and it will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I thank the JESD community and the City of Daly City for working with us to make this opportunity a life-changing reality for educators in our community,” said Shakeel Ali, Board President, Jefferson Elementary School District. “We appreciate your years of partnership and support. It’s a testament to the power of working together to achieve a milestone for the good of our students and future generations.”

The housing facility is environmentally friendly, equipped with solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, modular construction, and water-conscious landscaping and drainage.

“We have been trying to change our living situation for many years,” shared teacher Claudia Zervoulakos. “Unfortunately, we have never had the ability to move due to rising housing costs. The workforce housing has given us the opportunity to live in a better place at an affordable price.  I am excited to now live in the same community where I teach. Thank you JESD.”

“It’s great to finally be moved in,” shared another teacher. “This is a great opportunity to save some money on rent and be able to stay living and working in the area we love!”

A staff member shared, “Being approved for residency in my district's workforce housing community is an opportunity I am very excited about! Saving money on market rental rates and being closer to work are benefits of this program I am grateful for.”

Another staff member shared, “I am thrilled that the district has provided the new apartments to the staff working in the district. This apartment has given me a secure gated community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to stay in this brand new apartment.”

With this initiative, the City of Daly City makes history as the only jurisdiction in San Mateo County with two faculty and staff housing facilities within its boundaries.

About Jefferson Elementary School District: The Jefferson Elementary School District, established in 1866, serves Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade students from four contiguous areas in San Mateo County - Daly City, Colma, Broadmoor Village, and Pacifica. Jefferson Elementary School District provides all students with a high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment where each student demonstrates a spirit of respect, responsibility and a commitment to academic and civic excellence. The district serves approximately 5,000 students. More than 20 languages are represented, making the district truly international. The district employs 25 certificated office and site administrators, 322 teachers and pupil services staff, and about 300 classified employees. 

For more information: https://www.jsd.k12.ca.us/District/

On August 6, we opened Eastmoor Heights, a JESD community of 56 affordable housing units for teachers and staff! Check out more info from

• NBC News Bay Area
• CBS News
• KTSF26
• ABC7 News

Mr. Jon Hopkins has been with Jefferson Elementary School District since 2011. He taught at Daniel Webster Elementary for 12 years before moving on to the role of Dean of Academics at Ben Franklin Intermediate School. He has served as the Instructional Coach for Big Lift Summer School, as well as the principal of the Extended School Year summer program. 

Mr. Hopkins is excited to work with the students, families, staff, and other community members as the new Vice Principal at Fernando Rivera Intermediate School. He is committed to providing students with the necessary tools for academic, social-emotional, and behavioral success. Mr. Hopkins lives with his family in Pacifica and his children attend schools in the Jefferson Elementary School District. 

Padma Desikachari resides in West San Jose with her husband, two sons aged 21 and 19, her dad, and a labrador aged 13. She has been in education for over 15 years, teaching students from pre-school to undergraduate engineering. In Cupertino Union School District, she started as an ELD teacher, has worked closely with English Language Learners, and is passionate about Math. She taught middle school math for eight years and was a Math Instructional Coach for TK-8 grades for three years. Ms. Desikachari focuses on creating an inclusive community emphasizing students' academic success and socio-emotional well-being. She is a lifelong learner and received her Doctorate in Education last year. She loves arts, hiking, gardening, cooking, and watching TV. She is excited to join the TRP community and looks forward to contributing her skills and experience and finding opportunities to learn and grow. 

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Josie Peterson has joined JESD as our new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. Ms. Peterson comes to us from the Pacifica School District where she served as their Chief Business Official for over 20 years. She also has extensive experience in accounting as both a CPA in the corporate environment and as a school district Controller. When she’s not working, Ms. Peterson volunteers with her dog, Cooper, with the Humane Society in their pet assisted therapy program. You can find Ms. Peterson and Cooper visiting the elderly, high school and college students as well as the Pacifica Library as part of the Paws for Tales program. We welcome Ms. Peterson to JESD!. 

Ms. Aubrey Duffy will move from the dean to the next principal of Franklin D. Roosevelt K-8 School. 

Ms. Duffy started her journey with JESD in 2016 as a 4th grade teacher at Daniel Webster. She served as an instructional coach in the Big Lift Inspiring Summer program in 2020 and 2021, and, after five years of teaching, took on a new challenge as the dean at FDR. Ms. Duffy’s commitment to students’ academic success, high level of compassion, and ability to maintain a positive outlook will continue to shine as she steps into her new capacity as principal.

We welcome the continuity her appointment brings to FDR and look forward to working together with the FDR community to ensure a smooth transition.

After a rigorous and collaborative interview process involving family, certificated, classified, union and district representatives, Mr. Brian Bethel has been named the next principal of Marjorie H. Tobias Elementary School. 

Mr. Bethel started his journey with JESD in 2022 as the dean of students at Thomas R. Pollicita Middle School before moving into his current role as vice principal of Fernando Rivera. In both positions, Mr. Bethel's focus has been on building trusting relationships with students, staff, and families and ensuring a safe learning environment for all students.  Prior to coming to JESD, Mr. Bethel served as a mathematics teacher in SFUSD, the Sequoia Union High School District, and the Redwood City School District, in addition to his experience as a teacher and administrator in a number of non-public schools. 

Welcome to MHT, Mr. Bethel!

We are pleased to announce Ms. Christina Sanchez as the next principal of Thomas Edison Elementary School. Her teaching and administrative experience, passion for education and track record of collaboration resonated with those of us that participated in the rigorous interview process.

Ms. Sanchez started her journey with JESD in 2012 as a substitute teacher before being assigned to her own class at George Washington. While there, she taught 2nd-5th grade and served as their TIG teacher before taking on a new challenge as a 7th grade ELA/ELD teacher at Benjamin Franklin in 2018.  After two years as a middle school teacher, Ms. Sanchez served as the dean and vice principal at Thomas R. Pollicita Middle School.

We welcome Ms. Sanchez to Thomas Edison!

After a rigorous and collaborative interview process involving family, certificated, classified, union and district representatives, we are pleased to announce that Mr. Danny Chui will be the next principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Mr. Chui is a product of the Jefferson Elementary School District, having attended George Washington, Susan B. Anthony and Thomas R. Pollicita before moving on to the Jefferson Union High School District. He currently resides in Daly City with his family and is excited to return to his roots in our district. After beginning his journey in education as a teacher in the Jefferson Union High School District, Mr. Chui was appointed as the dean of students and vice principal of Westmoor High School. Moving down the Peninsula, Mr. Chui served as an assistant principal in the Menlo Park City School District, before his current assignment as principal of Mill Valley Middle School. We welcome Mr. Chui to the Jefferson Elementary School District!

¡Saludos! Jefferson Elementary School District le invita a un evento para familias 

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