The Walden West Outdoor School in Saratoga could temporarily relocate to Cupertino next school year after uncertainty about the science camp’s future — and criticism of the Santa Clara County Office of Education over poor planning. Superintendent of Schools David Toston’s office initially roused uproar over plans to close the camp for two years for...
Special education cuts could strain teachers in Santa Clara County
Special education teachers in Santa Clara County are at a tipping point following a recent round of layoffs — on top of massive cuts last year that left educators managing larger classes of students with serious medical and behavioral needs. Due to declining enrollment, the Santa Clara County Office of Education plans to cut eight...
2025 in review: Silicon Valley’s biggest stories
It was a transformational year for Silicon Valley. A county assessor’s 30-year reign came to an end. Two city leaders were sentenced in court. Superintendent firings and mass layoffs rocked a host of local schools. And a judge brought an end to a historic transit labor strike. But for each chapter that was closed this...
Santa Clara County education leader subject of closed door meeting
The Santa Clara County Board of Education has tried to turn a page after the dramatic firing of its former superintendent set off uproar and internal spending probes. Trouble could be brewing with its newest superintendent. On Monday, board trustees met behind closed doors for a special meeting that flagged an emerging, but unspecified issue...
Santa Clara County education board looks to reform amid probe
Santa Clara County Office of Education leaders say a series of probes they ordered into their former superintendent found contract favoritism and improper use of funds – though the full reports have not been made public. The Board of Education took a first swing on policy changes stemming from those findings, which focus on former...
Silicon Valley leaders in uproar over Office of Education mass layoffs
A growing number of Silicon Valley residents – joined by state and federal lawmakers – are questioning the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s motives for decimating scores of programs and hundreds of teaching jobs serving the region’s most vulnerable children. Teachers, labor leaders and county officials gathered outside the Office of Education Tuesday calling...
Santa Clara County education layoffs unfounded, state lawmakers say
A handful of state lawmakers and Silicon Valley leaders are calling on the Santa Clara County Office of Education to reverse the layoffs of hundreds of teachers serving low-income preschoolers, migrants and special education students. The Monday letter — signed by state Sen. Dave Cortese and Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Patrick Ahrens — questions the layoffs...
Santa Clara County Office of Education appoints new superintendent
The Santa Clara County Office of Education’s embattled elected board has found a new superintendent. Board of Education Trustees appointed David M. Toston on Wednesday after five months of political instability and division following the controversial firing of former superintendent Mary Ann Dewan in October. He will begin his new role May 1. Toston was...
California lawmaker condemns dismantling of Head Start program
Congress is calling for the reinstatement of federal employees that oversee critical early childhood programs serving families in poverty as regional Head Start offices are slashed — including one that serves Santa Clara County. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla is leading dozens of senators in condemning U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy for...
Ex-Silicon Valley education leader dismisses lawsuit
Former Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan has dropped her lawsuit against the Board of Education after trustees fired her last year. The lawsuit, dropped Thursday, claimed trustees had no authority to fire her because she was a constitutional officer and therefore could only be removed by the voters, Steven Ellenberg, Dewan’s...