We’re bringing this one back! Each week, Dirk used to gather up news that matters to the people of Oakland, give his spin on a topic, and share a collection of links and analyses. Each Friday, we’ll be trying to do more of the same, sharing the key headlines from the last week both from Oakland and also pertinent news that’s happening around the state. What did we miss? Hit us up in the comments below.
Oakland
How will OUSD afford to keep schools open?
“At its first special meeting of the year last Wednesday, the Oakland Unified School District board voted to reverse its previous decision to close schools, to cheers and applause from community members in attendance. But in the days since, the move has come under scrutiny by Alameda County education officials who say the board made its decision before fully examining how it will impact the district’s budget.”
Read the article by Ashley McBride of The Oaklandside
Why didn’t Oakland’s ranked choice ballot follow city charter?
“Additional questions involving (the District 4 school board) race need to be cleared up. For instance, the race included three candidates, but voters were given five columns on their ballots — excess space that may have contributed to the snafu.”
Read the article by By Shomik Mukherjee of The San Jose Mercury News
Oakland parents celebrate OUSD reversal of planned school closures
“Oakland voters were very clear in what they did in November and I want to make sure that those voices are being heard. And that to me means, again, rescinding school closures, reinvesting in our classrooms, and making sure that we’re supporting our educators and classified staff,” said newly elected OUSD School Board Director Valarie Bachelor.
Read the article by Da Lin of CBS Bay Area
An OUSD parent’s look at how lockdown affected her children’s learning
“Terez McCall is a parent of two youth inside of the Oakland Unified School District and she describes in her own words what it was like living through a pandemic, having health issues, and still trying to make sure that her youth learn the material needed to proceed to the next grade, all at the same time. The Oakland Unified School District, like almost every other school district around the nation, failed in a major fashion and now it’s the children who are paying for it the most, by, at the minimum, being academically affected.”
Read the article by JR Valrey of The San Francisco Bay View
Board of Supervisors Recommend Recount in Oakland Mayor’s Race
“In order to enhance transparency and accountability regarding the ranked-choice voting results, I am recommending consideration of a recount count of the Nov. 8, 2022, ranked choice elections for which the outcome has been called into question, specifically the Oakland Mayoral race, Oakland Unified School Board District 4 race, and the two races in San Leandro that were decided by a very small margin of victory,” Carson’s resolution said.
Read the article by Ken Epstein of The Oakland Post
The State of California
The right choices? Leaders, policymakers and experts react to Gov. Newsom’s 2022-23 education budget
“More than 60 education insiders — from students to administrators to practitioners and advocates — share their thoughts on how well Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023-24 budget proposal meets their priorities for early education, K-12 schools and the state’s public universities in the face of an expected economic downturn.”
Read the article from EdSource
California storms are hitting schools hard. How is flooding affecting students?
“Some California schools have had to delay their returns, and many school officials spent the past two weeks coordinating to provide meals for displaced families and juggling disruptions in transportation because of flooded roads and fallen trees. Some lost power and internet connections and activated power outage protocols to keep classrooms open. And others have seen drops in attendance – a financial hit for schools that are in part funded by how many kids go to school each day, several school districts contacted by USA TODAY said.”
Read the article by Kayla Jimenez of USA Today
Peralta Community College District sued by student journalists over records
“The suit was filed in Alameda County Superior Court on behalf of the Peralta Citizen, the district’s student-run newspaper, and four of its journalists. It was announced Wednesday. “The district routinely fails to comply with the PRA,” Oakland First Amendment lawyer Sam Ferguson wrote in the complaint.”
Read the article by Thomas Peele of EdSource
Sonoma Valley Unified considers closing schools amid declining enrollment
“This isn’t the most fun conversation that we’re going to make as a community,” Trustee Celeste Winders said. “This isn’t a decision that any of us love. This isn’t a conversation that we’re looking forward to when we talk about definitely reconfiguring schools and potentially closing them due to declining enrollment.”
Read the article by Michael Burke of EdSource