On October 29, Mayor Reed and Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis, Ph.D. launched SJ2020: an ambitious initiative to ensure that ALL students score at proficient or advanced levels on state assessment tests by the year 2020. Currently, more than 40 percent of San José students are not proficient on their grade level skills and 2,300 students drop out annually. To address this problem, Mayor Reed and Superintendent Weis are bringing together more than 200 educators, businesses, non-profits and stakeholders committed to raising student achievement. Read more about the initiative and visit the new SJ2020 webpage

 

 

In light of numerous recent stories about police conduct, Mayor Reed is recommending that the Council's Public Safety, Finance & Strategic Support Committee review current initiatives - as well as other actions that can be taken - to ensure that appropriate use of force is utilized by the San José Police Department. Read more 

"I expect every officer in the SJPD to have the skill to be able to defuse difficult situations, the judgment to avoid escalating routine encounters into use of force, and the discipline to use only the minimum force necessary when making an arrest," said Mayor Reed.
 
Individuals who have concerns about an interaction with the SJPD can contact the SJPD Internal Affairs division (408-277-4094) and/or the Independent Police Auditor (408-794-6226). The City Council is also in the process of recruiting a new IPA and will be discussing a draft profile for the position on Nov. 17. 

 

On Thursday, the City Council will begin to tackle its 2010-2011 budget. With revenues shrinking and pension fund losses mounting, the City is now forecasting a $96 million shortfall in the general fund (read more). With hard choices facing the Council, Mayor Reed is leading the drive to rein in rapidly escalating costs. As a service-organization, two-thirds of San José's budget is spent on personnel, and costs have grown 64% since 2000. It's critical that we change the way we do business so we can preserve basic community services like police and fire, libraries, and community centers. Read Mayor Reed's recommendations

 

Adding even more momentum behind Mayor Reed's Green Vision, the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded the City of San José more than $900,000 in Solar America Cities grants - the largest amount awarded to any of the 15 cities receiving grants. The grant will support seven solar projects that: encourage city residents to install solar power sources at home, provide solar career training and internship programs, and educate residents about solar technologies. Read more

 

In response to the State of California's unconscionable raid of local Redevelopment Agency funds this past summer, the Agency was forced to lay off 23% of its staff last month and delay a large number of its projects throughout the city (read more). The results are a devastating hit at a time when investments in our economy and neighborhoods are needed more than ever.
 
"Once again, Sacramento's failure to solve its structural budget problems has serious consequences for San José residents," said Mayor Reed. "In facing these harsh budget realities, we need to focus our redevelopment dollars on creating jobs and growing city and redevelopment revenues."
 
There will be a study session to review a revised Redevelopment Agency budget for the current fiscal year on Monday, November 9 at 9 am.

 

Learn about upcoming
meetings, announcements and key Council votes.
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Watch Mayor Reed's recent national interview on the Fox Business Network.

 

 

14 San José libraries have
now opened their
after-school programs.
Learn more 

 

 

Please beware of a
sweepstakes hoax that has been targeting seniors. View the 10/16 announcement on the City's PRNS website

 

This holiday season, lace up your skates at San José's very own outdoor ice rink.