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Options for holiday tree recycling
Mountain View residents looking to get rid of their holiday trees can set them out to be removed for free on compost collection days from Dec. 26 until Jan. 16.
There are different requirements for tree disposal depending on the size. Large trees need to be cut into pieces five feet or shorter and placed in street gutters next to driveways. Smaller trees can be cut up to fit into compost carts with the lids completely closed. Trees covered in artificial snow need to be cut up and put in trash carts or placed in the street gutter if they are too large for the trash cart.
All decorations also need to be removed from trees before setting them out, including string lights, tinsel and metal or plastic stands.
After Jan. 16, residents can cut up trees and place them in compost carts or schedule a free “On Call Plus” appointment. Residents also can get a voucher and bring the tree to the SMaRT Station Recycling Center, 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale.
Apartment managers and businesses can arrange for on-site tree collection services by calling Recology at 650-967-3034 or emailing ContactUsRMV@recology.com. For more information, including how to dispose of holiday string lights, visit the city’s website.
School district creates Rose Filicetti award
The Mountain View Whisman School District honored the service of former board member Rose Filicetti earlier this month, creating an annual award in her name.
Superintendent Jeff Baier introduced a resolution during a Dec. 18 school board meeting that recognized the contributions Filicetti made to the district during her time as board member from 1994 to 2004. Filicetti died last month, at the age of 73, from complications following heart surgery.
Mountain View Whisman also established the Rose Filicetti Community Partner Award, which will be given annually to an organization that works with the district to support students and families in the area.
During her tenure as a school board member, Filicetti played a pivotal role in the merger of the Mountain View and Whisman school districts.
Baier was a principal at Landels Elementary School while Filicetti served on the board of trustees, allowing him to witness her work first hand.
“She was direct with words and got done what she needed to get done, but always in the best interest of the kids of this community,” Baier said at the meeting.
Filicetti’s son, Matt Savage, and nephew, Chris Sturken, were in attendance at the meeting. A few community members, including former Mountain View Whisman board member Ellen Wheeler, came to speak about their experiences with Filicetti.
Wheeler served on the school board with Filicetti and told the current board that it was an “educational experience” learning how to be a trustee from Filicetti. Wheeler highlighted Filicetti’s time as executive director of the Santa Clara County School Boards Association, noting that in her position, Filicetti brought “prestige” to the school district.
“The last thing I want to say … is how much she took her work to heart,” Wheeler said. “I’m glad that you’re doing this recognition.”
Santa Clara County Board of Education names new president, vice president
The Santa Clara County Board of Education recently elected trustees Victoria Chon and Jessica Speiser as president and vice president of the seven-member board.
Elected to the board in 2020, Chon previously served as president in 2023 and vice president in 2022 and 2025. Speiser was elected to the board in 2024, after serving on the Los Altos School Board of Trustees for eight years from 2016 to 2024.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues on the board for their trust in my leadership,” Chon said in a Dec. 18 county press release. “I look forward to our continued work with our Superintendent, Dr. Toston, making a meaningful impact for students and educators.”
Chon represents Trustee Area 5, which includes a large portion of the Santa Clara Unified, Milpitas Unified, Orchard and Berryessa Union school districts, as well as a small portion of Alum Rock Union School District and corresponding portions of East Side Union High School District.
Speiser represents Trustee Area 1, which includes the Palo Alto Unified, Los Altos, Mountain View Whisman and Mountain View Los Altos High school districts as well as a large portion of Sunnyvale School District and corresponding portions of Fremont Union High School District.
City of Mountain View partners with school district on $3.6M fix for crumbling creek banksDecember 24, 2025 12:12 pm
Mountain View Whisman considers laying off at least 15% of district office staffDecember 23, 2025 12:44 pm