Less than a week before school begins, visual arts teacher Katherine Leung is overcome with anxiety about her future instead of focusing on lesson planning, engaging with families and getting ready. Leung is at high risk of contracting the deadly coronavirus, she told San José Spotlight. “We just want choice for teachers who want to...
East Side superintendent calls it quits
Citing distance learning, equity and budget challenges, Chris Funk said this will be his last year as superintendent of East Side Union High School District. “I can’t lead in this environment anymore,” Funk said. “I want to help us get through this pandemic and hopefully release some of the pressure allowing new thoughts for solving...
New gender-bias complaints emerge against Santa Clara County school official
Two local educators have leveled new complaints of gender-based harassment against Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph Di Salvo, who’s been in hot water over his behavior toward women. The complaints came to the board after Di Salvo claimed a long record of supporting women in July to rebut an independent investigation that...
Santa Clara County education board hit with lawsuit over gender harassment probe
Tensions in the Santa Clara County Office of Education continue to rise as trustee Joseph Di Salvo filed a federal lawsuit against the board and his colleagues Tuesday, claiming a vote to censure him last month violated his free speech and due process rights. The civil complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the...
San Jose, AT&T invest in free internet access for students
For many, the pressure to work and attend school remotely during the coronavirus pandemic has amplified Silicon Valley’s digital divide. But a new plan announced Monday by Mayor Sam Liccardo and AT&T will bring 11,000 wireless internet hotspots and 4G LTE data plans to K-12 students and low-income households lacking internet connection. “It is important...
Lawsuit against San Jose college district moves forward
A prominent San Jose developer’s lawsuit against the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District will move forward after the court ruled last week that the district can be held legally liable for an alleged contract breach after pulling out of a lucrative land deal. “Essentially, (the judge) said if you can prove everything that you say,...
Report details how a Santa Clara County trustee discriminated against women
A new report obtained by San José Spotlight through a records request revealed Santa Clara County Board of Education trustee Joseph Di Salvo was “dismissive and disrespectful” toward women and attempted “to undermine or to intimidate a woman into changing her opinion.” Earlier this month, Di Salvo was censured by the board in a split...
Silicon Valley educators worry about data privacy as classes remain online
Local educators say students could be at risk of data breaches as schools continue online classes amid the pandemic. “We need to protect our communities,” said Roxana Marachi, a San Jose State University professor of education. “Especially communities of color, who are the most vulnerable to data exploitations,” Big tech companies in Silicon Valley have eyed the...
Alum Rock community demand answers after DA Jeff Rosen declines to charge contractor
Community leaders on Monday demanded an explanation for why criminal charges won’t be filed against a contractor accused of mismanaging millions of dollars and violating the law while under contract with the Alum Rock Union School District. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced last week he wouldn’t pursue legal action against Del Terra...
San Jose teachers don’t feel safe returning to school, district delays in-person classes
Despite pressure from President Donald Trump to reopen schools, San Jose teachers say they’re not willing to risk their lives amid a global pandemic. One of San Jose’s largest school districts — the San Jose Unified School District — announced late Thursday classes on Aug. 12 will resume online only at least until Oct. 2....