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...
Education
Education
‘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...
‘We aren’t waiting to act’: San Jose parents take over school safety
Parents in San Jose’s largest school district are stepping up to take responsibility for school safety, since they said administrators have taken a lackluster approach on the issue. Helmed by Trudi McCanna, San Jose Unified School District parents have formed a school safety group, the Why Wait Project, to ensure research-based, best-practice approaches to school...
San Jose mayor targets homeless living near schools
San Jose may soon enforce banning homeless dwelling near schools if a proposed ordinance is passed. The issue was in plain sight with roughly a dozen RVs and vehicles lined on Educational Park Drive in East San Jose where Mayor Matt Mahan, Councilmember Peter Ortiz and two students spoke today about their plans to ban...