A recent unanimous board decision to shutter two elementary schools in the Union School District is ruffling the feathers of some parents angered by the vote and school selection.

The board's decision to close elementary schools Athenour and Lone Hill followed the failure of Measure G, which asked district residents to approve a $195 annual parcel tax over the next four years. The parcel tax would have guaranteed that all schools in the district would remain open in spite of budget deficits created by state funding cuts. Closure of the two schools does not eliminate the budget deficits and leasing out the shuttered buildings still remains an issue.

Boundaries within the district have been redrawn and parents unhappy with the new school assignment can apply for a transfer to one of the remaining schools. Superintendent Phil Quon said that he is hopeful the teachers at the closing schools will remain with the students they have been teaching and they will have the opportunity to request which school they move to. All teachers positions will be retained but there will be some cutbacks in administrative staffing levels.

Assemblyman aims
to end 'robotripping'

A new and dangerous way for teens to get high, known by names such as "robotripping" or "tussing," has caught the attention of state Assemblyman Joe Simitian, who is introducing a bill designed to limit the availability of the drug teens are using for this purpose and staunch its growing popularity.

The culprit is dextromethorphan, or DXM, an ingredient found in over-the-counter cough medicine and cold remedies. Buying and using DXM is more and more becoming an inexpensive and easy way to abuse drugs, Simitian said. "Anyone can go to the store to buy this stuff. It's an over-the-counter medicine. And kids are not buying just one bottle or box, they're buying several at a time," Simitian said.

To counter this trend, Simitian has introduced legislation that should make that purchase more difficult. AB 1853 will prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from buying nonprescription drugs containing DXM.

Almaden Business Association mixer

The Almaden Valley/Blossom Valley Business Association will hold its first member mixer on Thursday, April 1, at the Britannia Arms on Almaden Expressway from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The mixer is free to members and prospective members, and the event is sponsored by Costco. Representatives from the Blossom Hill Costco will make a short presentation about the store's business services, and representatives from the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce will also make a short presentation.

"The idea is to get out and meet other members and shoot the breeze a little bit," said association co-chairman Bob Swan.

For more information about the April 1 mixer or the business association, call 408.398.4731.