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School closures erode a sense of trust

Re: “Closure of five elementary schools approved” (Page A1, March 28).

I am writing to share a personal perspective on San Jose Unified School District’s recent decision to shutter five elementary schools. What began as an “innovation” effort under the Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee quickly became a triage process, with up to nine schools initially considered for closure.

As an immigrant, this was my first close engagement with a school board. Families like mine went from assuming positive change to fighting for our neighborhood schools. Community members, including parents, children and data professionals, showed up in force to question the process and advocate for fairness.

Despite this, a narrow 3–2 vote on March 26, approved closures of five schools — all Title I — disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities.

This experience revealed not just declining enrollment, but a deeper erosion of trust. I urge you to tell the human story behind these decisions.

Gowri Shankari Surendran
San Jose

Common-sense rules can rebuild voter trust

Re: “Here’s how to streamline voting in California” (Page A7, March 26).

In the op-ed on how to streamline voting, the key point Californians need to listen to is: “The longer it takes to count ballots, the more voter confidence erodes.” The goal should be an accessible voting process with timely and accurate election results.

1. If you are going to vote by mail, then mail it no later than 7 days prior to Election Day.

2. Instead of queuing up early submitted ballots, start counting ballots upon receipt.

3. End same-day voter registration, and revert to the requirement of registering at least 15 days before Election Day.

4. Within 30 days of finalized count, publish audit results and highlight any corrective actions to reduce fraud and inaccurate counts.

Citizens serious about voting should not have an issue with any of these changes, and it would regain confidence in the voting process.

Tom Calderwood
Los Gatos

Letter glosses over Trump’s disrespect

Re: “State dishonors war dead with absence” (Page A6, March 26).

Kathryn Tomaino admonishes California for not attending and honoring the transfer ceremony of deceased U.S. service members.

She applauds Donald Trump and his cohort for attending, yet neglects to mention that Trump was disrespectfully wearing a campaign baseball cap during the ceremony. Perhaps Fox News overlooked that part of the ceremony video, similar to the way they forgot to mention that Trump said he was glad that Bronze Star winner Robert Mueller was dead.

Rob Lofland
Sunnyvale

Money spent on war should be used at home

Re: “The war in Iran is going better than critics say” (Page A6, March 27).

There should not be a question as to whether the war in Iran is going well or not. The question should be: Why would anyone believe the billion-dollar daily cost is justified?

The money should have been used for health care, education, infrastructure — countless other projects that would have benefited the American people.

Mr. President, what happened to “America first?” What happened to the promise of no wars?

David Wilkins
San Jose

The real thieves are Vance, administration

Re: “Vance takes lead on new task force targeting fraud in social programs” (Page A4, March 28).

As JD Vance takes the lead on a new task force targeting fraud in social programs, he states, ”This is not just the theft of the American people’s money, it is also the theft of critical services that the American people rely on.”

So, what about the critical services robbed by the “Big Beautiful Bill” or by the billions being spent on the war with Iran? What services will be robbed by Donald Trump’s 250-foot arch that he intends to build, or by all of the gold being gaudily splashed around the White House? Fraud has become Trump’s obsession: fraud in elections, fraud in social programs.

Meanwhile, he illegally makes over $4 billion in business dealings in the wider world while his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who, having no qualifications as a diplomat, acts as our negotiator between Ukraine and Russia and in the Middle East.

Rosemary Everett
Campbell

Fight helplessness by getting involved

Many of us feel helpless but intensely dislike what this administration is doing. We wonder what we, as only one person, can do. The answer is simple: become involved!

Email, call, text your representatives; respectfully post on social media, participate in peaceful demonstrations, talk to your friends and even those with whom you might disagree politically — talk, listen, don’t shout or act out.

“We, the People” are powerful. It is within all of us to shape this country and establish its values. Every single one of us is influential; together, we are unstoppable.

Last, but definitely not least, vote. Read about the issues and support candidates who represent your informed opinions. Encourage everyone you know to vote and help others vote.

Marcia Fariss
Saratoga