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...
VTA Board allocates Measure B funds to controversial San Jose project
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board on Thursday approved $25 million in transit Measure B funds for a controversial traffic calming project in San Jose. Critics say the Charcot Avenue Extension project, which would cross over highway I-880 from Paragon Drive to Oakland Road, would endanger the safety of children at nearby Orchard Elementary School....
San Jose Unified School District approves layoffs in 37 positions
The San Jose Unified School District will lay off employees in 37 classified positions — ranging from administrative aides to secretaries and student services techs — a reduction in force administrators say will fund raises to existing employees. The school board last week unanimously approved a resolution to eliminate the positions, a decision board leaders...
Ash Kalra proposes law to put vote centers on college campuses
A new bill from San Jose Assemblyman Ash Kalra would prioritize putting vote centers on college campuses, a push to improve youth voter turnout and eliminate barriers to voting. Kalra’s Assembly Bill 59 would amend California Voter’s Choice Act to require college campuses with 10,000 or more students be considered for vote centers. The proposed legislation includes...
SJSU President denies students’ requests for homeless support
Update: Student Homeless Alliance members say they are disappointed with SJSU President Mary Papazian’s response to their demands during their much-anticipated meeting with the administration Tuesday. “They pretty much rejected our ideas and said they’re looking into more long-term, sustainable solutions,” SHA President Mayra Bernabe told San José Spotlight after the meeting. The administration reportedly stated that they were...
Embattled Alum Rock Union School District selects new trustee
After a lengthy meeting that ended around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Alum Rock Union School District board of trustees appointed former SOMOS Mayfair Board member Corina Herrera-Loera to fill a vacancy left by Karen Martinez. Martinez resigned from the board in December after being elected a trustee of the San Jose Evergreen Community College District....