C.-2 20-0615 Adoption by the Board of Education of Resolution No. 1920-0218 - Declaring an Emergency Due to The COVID-19 Pandemic and Providing Authorization to the Superintendent of Schools.
Being clear it IS the intention of the Board that the district continue to collaborate with ALL stakeholders when making decisions during this time, and that that collaboration will be critical to our students continuing to thrive.
Finally, that these powers should not come at the expense of transparency, and that it is the intent of the Board that the Superintendent will keep the Board and the whole OUSD community apprised of any significant decisions made, or actions taken, under this resolution.
Thank you for your time and commitment to our students and families. Oakland is strong and resilient and I know we will find our way through these difficult times together.
Therefore, it is imperative that the Board be clear that your intention is not to transfer all of your power to the Superintendent at this time, including:
Being clear that it is NOT your intent to authorize the Superintendent to move forward with further Blueprint cohorts or school closures without a Board vote.
Being clear that it is NOT your intent to authorize the Superintendent to enter into large contracts with online learning or EdTech companies in order to “ensure the continuation of public education” in OUSD without a Board vote.
Being clear that it is NOT your intent to authorize the Superintendent to take any actions regarding charter school authorizations or renewals without a Board vote.
These are unprecedented times, and some additional powers for the Superintendent to continue operations on may be important. However, this resolution is extremely broad, and appears to empower the Superintendent to take actions that are much larger than the day-to-day operations of the district. As you all know, we have had issues with trust in this district for a long time now, and it is important for our students, families and staff that we move forward in ways that are transparent and clear.
First I want to acknowledge Oakland Teachers and educators, who are holding steady for our students and families during this unprecedented emergency. In addition, OUSD food service workers, custodians, and our essential school workers are doing vital work to support our students and families and make our schools safe when we return. Their contributions are invaluable. This pandemic has shown that our schools are the most vital hub in our community - even while they are closed. It is important that we remain vigilant, and do not allow these community hubs, or our democratic control of them, to be undermined through well-intentioned emergency actions. For this reason, I want to express my thoughts on Resolution No. 1920-0218
It is important right now for all of us - our students, families and staff - that the District operates in a transparent and clear fashion.
Therefore, we ask that the Board not transfer all of your power to the Superintendent, including:
1. That there not be school closures or further Blue cohorts without a Board vote.
2. The Superintendent not be allowed to enter into large contracts without a Board vote.
3. The Superintendent not be allowed to make new or renew charter school authorizations without a Board vote.
4. That the Superintendent will collaborate with the Board and all stakeholders when making decisions and that the Board will hold her accountable to do so.
5. That the Superintendent will make transparent all significant decisions to the Board and the whole OUSD community.
Thank you for your time and commitment to our students, families and School Employees.
We want to thank the Oakland Teachers and educators, OUSD food service workers, custodians, and countless classified workers that are doing vital work to support our students and families and make our schools safe.
We participate here tonight in solidarity with OEA regarding Resolution No. 1920-0218 titled, “Declaring an Emergency Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and Providing Authorization to the Superintendent of Schools.”
We agree with OEA that this resolution is much too broad, and appears to empower the Superintendent to take actions that are much larger than necessary. We also have had issues of trust in this district for a long time now, and it is important right now for all of us - our students, families and staff - that the District operates in a transparent and clear fashion.
Being clear it IS the intention of the Board that the district continue to collaborate with ALL stakeholders when making decisions during this time, and that that collaboration will be critical to our students continuing to thrive.
Finally, that these powers should not come at the expense of transparency, and that it is the intent of the Board that the Superintendent will keep the Board and the whole OUSD community apprised of any significant decisions made, or actions taken, under this resolution.
Thank you for your time and commitment to our students and families. Oakland is strong and resilient and I know we will find our way through these difficult times together.
Therefore, it is imperative that the Board be clear that your intention is not to transfer all of your power to the Superintendent at this time, including:
Being clear that it is NOT your intent to authorize the Superintendent to move forward with further Blueprint cohorts or school closures without a Board vote.
Being clear that it is NOT your intent to authorize the Superintendent to enter into large contracts with online learning or EdTech companies in order to “ensure the continuation of public education” in OUSD without a Board vote.
Being clear that it is NOT your intent to authorize the Superintendent to take any actions regarding charter school authorizations or renewals without a Board vote.
These are unprecedented times, and some additional powers for the Superintendent to continue operations on may be important. However, this resolution is extremely broad, and appears to empower the Superintendent to take actions that are much larger than the day-to-day operations of the district. As you all know, we have had issues with trust in this district for a long time now, and it is important for our students, families and staff that we move forward in ways that are transparent and clear.
First I want to acknowledge Oakland Teachers and educators, who are holding steady for our students and families during this unprecedented emergency. In addition, OUSD food service workers, custodians, and our essential school workers are doing vital work to support our students and families and make our schools safe when we return. Their contributions are invaluable. This pandemic has shown that our schools are the most vital hub in our community - even while they are closed. It is important that we remain vigilant, and do not allow these community hubs, or our democratic control of them, to be undermined through well-intentioned emergency actions. For this reason, I want to express my thoughts on Resolution No. 1920-0218
It is important right now for all of us - our students, families and staff - that the District operates in a transparent and clear fashion.
Therefore, we ask that the Board not transfer all of your power to the Superintendent, including:
1. That there not be school closures or further Blue cohorts without a Board vote.
2. The Superintendent not be allowed to enter into large contracts without a Board vote.
3. The Superintendent not be allowed to make new or renew charter school authorizations without a Board vote.
4. That the Superintendent will collaborate with the Board and all stakeholders when making decisions and that the Board will hold her accountable to do so.
5. That the Superintendent will make transparent all significant decisions to the Board and the whole OUSD community.
Thank you for your time and commitment to our students, families and School Employees.
Gary Jimenez
SEIU Statement
on OUSD Emergency Resolution
We want to thank the Oakland Teachers and educators, OUSD food service workers, custodians, and countless classified workers that are doing vital work to support our students and families and make our schools safe.
We participate here tonight in solidarity with OEA regarding Resolution No. 1920-0218 titled, “Declaring an Emergency Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and Providing Authorization to the Superintendent of Schools.”
We agree with OEA that this resolution is much too broad, and appears to empower the Superintendent to take actions that are much larger than necessary. We also have had issues of trust in this district for a long time now, and it is important right now for all of us - our students, families and staff - that the District operates in a transparent and clear fashion.