Policy

Policy

San Jose Unified employees protest staff changes

Clutching signs proclaiming a lack of respect, dozens of San Jose Unified employees chanted, marched and protested the district’s decision to eliminate or reclassify 37 positions. Their chants echoed down Lenzen Avenue, drawing supportive honks from cars passing by as a helicopter whirled overhead. The protest was spurred by upcoming staff cuts and reassignments that...

Here are the finalists for Burnett Middle School’s new name

The list is finally in: A committee narrowed down the finalists for Burnett Middle School’s new name. School administrators received more than five hundred submissions and a committee of students, school staff and community members narrowed it down to these finalists. Voting will open on May 6. In addition to the names, the ballot will...

San Jose Unified prepares to rename Burnett Middle School

Burnett Middle School is one step closer to getting a new name following backlash over the racist actions of the school’s namesake. The school is named after California’s first governor, Peter Burnett. His policies included the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. He also attempted to keep black Americans out of California and also believed that...

East Side lawmakers worry about light rail extension’s future

East San Jose has eagerly awaited a light rail connection to the Eastridge Transit Center since Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A almost 20 years ago. By imposing a 30-year sales tax, county voters in 2000 decided to expand a light rail service into San Jose, but now it appears the long-awaited Capitol Expressway...

Alum Rock school district to lay off more than 50, including every librarian

The Alum Rock Union School District Board of Trustees voted to cut more than 50 district positions by this summer, including all librarians. The board voted 4-1 to eliminate dozens of districtwide jobs including 14 positions from the district libraries and learning centers, four custodians, 24 “community liaison” positions and more. The cuts mean the school district...

VTA recommends saving Route 22 overnight bus

A VTA bus line dubbed ‘Hotel 22’ that provides shelter to countless Silicon Valley homeless residents is safe — at least for now. Transportation officials on Friday recommended saving Route 22, a bus line that travels from Palo Alto to East San Jose. Earlier this year, officials recommended eliminating the route from 1 a.m. to...