An East San Jose school district is responding to community safety concerns after a string of violent campus incidents, but teachers and parents want long-term preventive measures. East Side Union High School District Superintendent Glenn Vander Zee has agreed to establish a school safety task force comprised of teachers, administrators, parents, students and board members...
Conservative group bombards San Jose school board meeting
Supporters of a censured Franklin-McKinley School District trustee showed up in force at a recent board meeting, but some say they are outsiders pushing an agenda. Informed Parents of Silicon Valley members spoke out at Tuesday night’s school board meeting, following Trustee Marc Cooper’s colleagues asking him to denounce the organization and resign earlier this...
San Jose school trustee censured for violating district rules
An outraged Franklin-McKinley School District board of trustees is asking one of its members to resign. Last night, district officials denounced the actions of board member Marc Cooper, saying he misrepresented its curriculum and violated bylaws, as well as the state education code. They voted 4-1 to censure him, with Cooper casting the lone no...
‘The time for words is done’: San Jose school shaken by violence
After numerous trespassers assaulted students and staff at an East San Jose high school, outraged teachers and parents are demanding immediate security changes. Two separate, life-threatening incidents have rocked James Lick High School in the East Side Union High School District. In response, the school community is insisting the district implement heightened security, bring police...
San Jose’s Bellarmine preps for campus upgrades
Bellarmine College Preparatory, a prestigious private Catholic boys high school in San Jose, is planning for several updates to facilities on its campus in the city’s College Park neighborhood. The 17.6-acre campus could see an expansion to its building space—from 347,000 square feet to 487,000 square feet—if San Jose leaders approve a rezoning and redevelopment...
San Jose official under fire for alleged ties to anti-LGBTQ group
San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan is facing swift backlash after agreeing to speak with a local anti-LGBTQ+ parent group, despite claiming ignorance of the organization’s controversial roots. An event flier featuring Doan’s headshot circulated online by Informed Parents of Silicon Valley—an organization openly against teaching critical race theory and gender expansive education in schools—triggered shockwaves...
Santa Clara County to pump millions into school wellness centers
Santa Clara County is about to pour millions into school wellness centers to help students struggling with mental health issues brought on by the pandemic. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is set to approve a $10 million bump tomorrow for a pilot program in school-based wellness centers. The success of the $100,000 program...
San Jose parent gets school district to support LGBTQ rights
One person’s determination has led to a local school district pledging to stand up for LGBTQ staff and student rights. The San Jose Unified School District unanimously passed a pride resolution yesterday supporting the freedoms and equality of LGBTQ people due to the persistent efforts of Eli Dinh, a parent and former SJUSD teacher. The...
Silicon Valley community colleges could see enrollment bump
After years of declining enrollment due to the pandemic, community colleges across California are considering a new approach to attract more students—enrolling students before they even graduate high school. California Community College Chancellor Sonya Christian is proposing a three-pronged course of action to encourage enrollment, as reported in the Los Angeles Times last week. It...
Santa Clara County increases funding for foster youth
Three key foster youth programs in the county are receiving more money that will help kids in the classroom and even after they turn their tassels. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors extended the foster youth education services contract today, approving it without discussion. The contract provides funding for programs aimed at helping students...