A local community college district is no longer facing legal action from a politician who used to serve on its board. Gilbert Wong, a former Foothill-De Anza Community College District trustee and Cupertino mayor, filed a motion dismissing his lawsuit with prejudice against the district, its board members and former chancellor on Jan. 13. Wong sued...
San Jose State transgender athletes in jeopardy after federal ruling
The Biden administration’s efforts to expand Title IX policies have been struck down, resulting in a loss of protections for LGBTQ+ students. The court ruling made by U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves in State of Tennessee v. Cardona erases the Department of Education’s attempt to increase protections for sex discrimination in schools as it applies...
Santa Clara school district slapped with discrimination complaint
Civil rights organizations have filed a Title VI complaint against a local school district for alleged discrimination against Palestinian students, parents and educators. Santa Clara Unified School District will be facing a federal civil rights complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education. The complaint alleges school officials engaged in or permitted actions which created...
San Jose State students tackle academic shortcomings with AI
When a team of San Jose State University business students recognized the path toward academic counseling and course curriculum was complicated and messy, they turned to AI for a solution. Gabriel Castaneda, co-founder of CollegeBot.AI, said the students launched the artificial intelligence platform as a startup company to help students navigate through their class requirements...
State bill would protect Silicon Valley students from deportation
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...
San Jose school district to close three campuses
Another San Jose school district is making the difficult decision to close and consolidate campuses due to declining enrollment. The Berryessa Union School District board of trustees on Wednesday voted 4-1 to close three elementary schools for the 2025-26 academic year: Cherrywood, Toyon and Laneview. The decision aligned with the consolidation committee’s ranked recommendations. Trustee...
San Jose university students still battling homelessness
Homeless San Jose State University students are struggling to find housing — and worry where they’re going to sleep at night as they stress over school work and passing grades. The Student Homeless Alliance, which advocates for unhoused SJSU students, is pushing to expand the number of emergency beds available and for seven safe parking...
Santa Clara County education leader accused of malfeasance
Santa Clara County’s top educator says a series of investigations into his ousted predecessor have revealed even more issues — beyond major allegations of misspending public funds and malfeasance — and now the findings are being turned over to authorities. Former superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Dewan faces “deeply concerning” accusations of wrongdoing, according to a...
Should Santa Clara County school superintendents be elected?
Several resignations and firings across Silicon Valley schools have raised questions about how districts select their top educators — and whether voters should make that decision themselves. Santa Clara County leaders will tackle this question come January, when they weigh letting voters choose the county superintendent instead of the Board of Education. This follows the...
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...