In less than two weeks, San Jose State graduate student Mike Casas will walk across the stage — a moment he’s dreamt of for years — but the excitement is tempered by a cloud that hangs over his head. Student debt. “The cost of living is so expensive that you have to draw on student...
San Jose Unified employees protest staff changes
Clutching signs proclaiming a lack of respect, dozens of San Jose Unified employees chanted, marched and protested the district’s decision to eliminate or reclassify 37 positions. Their chants echoed down Lenzen Avenue, drawing supportive honks from cars passing by as a helicopter whirled overhead. The protest was spurred by upcoming staff cuts and reassignments that...
Here are the finalists for Burnett Middle School’s new name
The list is finally in: A committee narrowed down the finalists for Burnett Middle School’s new name. School administrators received more than five hundred submissions and a committee of students, school staff and community members narrowed it down to these finalists. Voting will open on May 6. In addition to the names, the ballot will...
San Jose Unified prepares to rename Burnett Middle School
Burnett Middle School is one step closer to getting a new name following backlash over the racist actions of the school’s namesake. The school is named after California’s first governor, Peter Burnett. His policies included the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. He also attempted to keep black Americans out of California and also believed that...
Alum Rock school district to lay off more than 50, including every librarian
The Alum Rock Union School District Board of Trustees voted to cut more than 50 district positions by this summer, including all librarians. The board voted 4-1 to eliminate dozens of districtwide jobs including 14 positions from the district libraries and learning centers, four custodians, 24 “community liaison” positions and more. The cuts mean the school district...
San Jose Unified School District approves layoffs in 37 positions
The San Jose Unified School District will lay off employees in 37 classified positions — ranging from administrative aides to secretaries and student services techs — a reduction in force administrators say will fund raises to existing employees. The school board last week unanimously approved a resolution to eliminate the positions, a decision board leaders...
Ash Kalra proposes law to put vote centers on college campuses
A new bill from San Jose Assemblyman Ash Kalra would prioritize putting vote centers on college campuses, a push to improve youth voter turnout and eliminate barriers to voting. Kalra’s Assembly Bill 59 would amend California Voter’s Choice Act to require college campuses with 10,000 or more students be considered for vote centers. The proposed legislation includes...
SJSU President denies students’ requests for homeless support
Update: Student Homeless Alliance members say they are disappointed with SJSU President Mary Papazian’s response to their demands during their much-anticipated meeting with the administration Tuesday. “They pretty much rejected our ideas and said they’re looking into more long-term, sustainable solutions,” SHA President Mayra Bernabe told San José Spotlight after the meeting. The administration reportedly stated that they were...
Embattled Alum Rock Union School District selects new trustee
After a lengthy meeting that ended around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees appointed former SOMOS Mayfair Board member Corina Herrera-Loera to fill a vacancy left by Karen Martinez. Martinez resigned from the board in December after being elected a trustee of the San Jose Evergreen Community College District....
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