California lawmakers want to protect students and their families from deportation amid threats from the incoming federal administration. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is sponsoring a bill from state Sen. Lena Gonzalez to protect immigrant families from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. If approved, Senate Bill 48 will establish a one-mile radius safe zone...
East San Jose business district gets grant to beautify area
Alum Rock business advocates are getting a $100,000 grant to not just beautify the neighborhood, but also solidify the East San Jose district’s cultural identity. Councilmember Peter Ortiz said he secured the grant during the city’s recent budgeting process to support the efforts of the Alum Rock Santa Clara Street Business Association — an organization...
Affordable housing preserved for East San Jose families
An affordable housing group is celebrating its biggest win to date after San Jose officials approved the permanent preservation of 18 homes. The South Bay Community Land Trust has spent nearly two years engaging with residents, city leaders and the landlords at 1718, 1724 and 1730 Virginia Ave. in an effort to purchase the apartments...
East San Jose school district to close six campuses next year
East San Jose school leaders have made the final decision about which campuses in the financially struggling district will close. The Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees voted unanimously on Monday to close six schools for the 2025-26 school year, but plans to reopen one of them the following year, while closing two...
East San Jose development could add hundreds of affordable homes
East San Jose could be home to one of the city’s largest affordable housing developments in recent history under a new proposal. City leaders are hosting a Nov. 18 community meeting to discuss a proposed 100% affordable housing development at 2940 Alum Rock Ave., just across from James Lick High School. The 50,900-square-foot development would...
East San Jose district narrows down school closures
An East San Jose school district superintendent has recommended closing seven schools and consolidating others. On the heels of Alum Rock Union School District’s consolidation committee selection of 13 schools to close or consolidate, Superintendent Germán Cerda has narrowed his choices. He proposes closing Aptitud Community Academy at Goss, Donald J. Meyer Elementary School, Horace...
East San Jose district could close nearly half its schools
An East San Jose school district plans to close numerous campuses due to an enormous budget deficit. An Alum Rock Union School District committee is recommending closing 13 of its 21 schools due to declining student enrollment with families moving out of the area, lower birth rates and a steady loss of students to charter...
San Jose leaders prime old golf course for development
A shuttered golf course in East San Jose is ready for a future mixed-use housing project following city leaders’ recent adoption of development guidelines for the area. Months of community engagement with District 5 and District 8 residents led the San Jose City Council to unanimously agree earlier this month that any proposed housing development at the former Pleasant...
San Jose leaders sign off on East Side improvement plan
San Jose is moving forward with establishing its sixth business improvement district, giving East Side leaders hope for a thriving economic sector and community going into 2025. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of starting the Tully Road Eastridge Business Improvement District, a partnership between business owners and the city...
New East San Jose superintendent to deal with school closures
A struggling East San Jose school district plans to close multiple campuses as it brings on a new superintendent to help guide officials through the difficult process. Due to a projected $20.8 million budget shortfall, along with declining enrollment, Alum Rock Union School District will have to close up to nine of its 21 schools....