22-0243 Adoption by the Board of Education of Resolution No. 2122-0030 - School Consolidations for Fiscal Years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
· Presentation by the Superintendent of Schools of recommendations for School Consolidations for Fiscal Years 2022-23 and 2023-24
· Public Comments on proposed School Consolidations
· Discussion of the Board by and between Members and/or the Superintendent of Schools and/or designee(s)
· Action by Board on Resolution No. 2122-0030
I am one of many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students Resolution and am vehemently opposed to the proposed racist school closures. Shame on you for not listening to, and engaging with the families, educators, and students, who you are supposed to serve. This proposal is beyond outrageous--it stinks. Hands off our schools!
I’m an East Oakland resident and Ethnic Studies educator at Laney College. I adamantly stand against the proposed school closures. It is an injustice to create so much instability in our young peoples lives, especially in communities that are already so disproportionately impacted. We are more creative then this! We need high quality education that nurtures the intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional well being of our Oakland children. Please put our young people first! NO School Closures!
I am a teacher at Manzanita Seed. I am writing to oppose any school closures at this time. I urge the Board to reinstate the moratorium on school closures and to commission an independent study by UC Berkeley to review each of the schools individually and make recommendations for which schools if any should be closed and how much money ( if any) would actually be saved. This proposal to close schools en masse is being rushed through without a full evaluation of how it would impact the students and families involved. It is based on old data which is inaccurate and doesn’t reflect the reality at te school. For example, Manzanita Community is so full that ELD classes are held on picnic tables outside because there is no other space available. In addition, Manzanita Seed & Manzanita Community already share a librarian, speech therapist, psychologist and nurse. Furthermore there is no room for all of Manzanita Community at Fruitvale school. This proposal makes no sense!
I oppose the proposed legislation to close the 16 schools within OUSD's jurisdiction, as it would directly harm and violate the well-being of our greater Oakland community and deprive future generations of students, teachers, and their peers. It has been obvious since Libby Schaff's neutrality on divesting from officers in OUSD's schools back in 2020, and before, that she and the board need sufficient coaxing in order to protect and look after the well-being of black and brown students in the community. The ordinance to close the schools wouldn't only affect the current staff and students, it would deprive valuable communal resources that aren't readily available to all students and their families such as free internet access provided through schools, access to food, etc.
I strongly oppose the closure of schools. The estimated savings presented by the financial analysts on January 31 is a mere $4.1 to $14.7 million. A mere 1-3% of OUSD's operating budget. It's inconceivable that this amount of harm, disruption, and damage is worth such an insignificant dent in the budget. The harm is not proportionate to the savings and is in no way justifiable. The data presented showed no review or analysis of the median income level of families at the schools, no review of the transportation options for the students, no exploration of how the school provides students with feelings of safety and belonging. There was no equity analysis showing how these closures would not disproportionately harm Black students and students of color. Engage in this process in an equitable, community-driven way, and with transparency for the community. Vote NO!
Y’all paid TWO consultants $75k to do reports on how much money closing PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOLS down would be. What an outrage. What a SCANDAL!!!! To think that that money could’ve GONE TO STUDENTS/TEACHERS!!!! SHAME ON THE SCHOOL BOARD!!! NO SCHOOL CLOSURES. THIS IS FURTHERED GENTRIFICATION. THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE HAVING IT!!!!! WHAT DO WE DO WHEN OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK?! WE STAND UP N FIGHT BACK!!!! STOP THE RACISM. STOP THE GENTRIFICATION. STOP SCHOOL CLOSURES THAT WILL AFFECT BLACK AND BROWN KIDS!!!
My name is Dar. I'm an after school instructor at Laurel Elementary. We are predominantly black public school.
Below are what MY students believe should happen with the school closures:
"As a group, we all oppose. WE believe that a lack of education will led to more disparities within our communities. More children who are displaced and merged with other schools have to travel farther. It's less convenient for students and their families. It would also make more sense to have less students in the class room because that will lead to more one on one interaction with the teacher. It's also RACI$T. OUSD prioritizes money over children. OUSD has the money. But they would rather fund the police."
If OUSD follows through with school closures they are disgusting.
I am a parent of an OUSD student at Melrose Leadership Academy. I am writing to oppose the school closures that are being proposed as they disproportionately target 7 majority-black schools. This is especially distressing on the heals of a pandemic that already disrupted the lives of students, and particularly of black and brown communities. This kind of decision will only perpetuate and intensify the racialized educational disparities for black students in this district. And in terms of process, there needs to be more notice, process and community engagement before a decision of this magnitude is made. I urge the Board to implement a racial equity impact analysis before voting on this. -
These school closures are racist attacks on our public school system. OUSD should not balance the budget on the backs of Black and Brown students and families. This is a huge disruption in the lives of the students, teachers and staff it will affect. It will also increase under enrollment rather than improve it. Keep Oakland public schools open!
I am horrified that the Board is considering these horrendous actions that violate existing policy and reinforces inequities in our district. It is well established that school closures do not solve budget issues and instead reinforce racial inequities, causing lasting trauma and negative impacts on children, families and communities. NO MORE SCHOOL CLOSURES.
I am one of many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students Resolution and am opposed to OUSD’s attempt to balance the budget on the backs of our Black students. This board has failed to engage the community tonight's decision will impact nor has the board conducted a necessary equity impact analysis. There are other ways to handle a budget crisis and OUSD’s own history of school closures is a clear indicator that closing schools will not produce the desired district savings. Hands off our schools!
I am a Black college student and in all of my educational years, I have only felt support and the ability to succeed when I attended Black schools (elementary and middle school). Having attended a predominately white high school, a period where teens are looking for acceptance and encouragement from teachers and peers, I encountered many uncomfortable and racially insensitive moments. Being the only black student in my AP English class, I had no allies to unpack the heavy load created by my White English teacher giving the thumbs up to non white students to use the N word. A school that has representation of students in the classrooms, textbooks, and teachers is dire.To closedown black and brown schools in Oakland is a major disservice to these bright and brilliant young men and women. I have my third grade science teacher to thank for my career path of environmental science. My goals of being an environmental lawyer came from attending Black schools. A place where I found peace.
If the board decides to close schools, my hope is:
1. In addition to centering students at merging and closing school with the "opportunity ticket," we also center teachers and staff that are effected by the consolidations by prioritizing them as positions open this spring and summer. My understanding that typically # of years of tenure is the primary driver of how open positions are filled. Perhaps other factors should be considered as well.
2. Some of the pushback against consolidations stems from the belief that new charter schools will pop up in their place. That didn't happen with Kaiser (will reopen as CDC) or Roots (CCPA expanded), but community trust will be further eroded if newly authorized charter schools pop up on any of these campuses. With the 2013 consolidations, 2 of 5 campuses now have charters.
3. The board and district staff should take greater efforts to understand and measure financial, organizational capacity, enrollment and student outcomes of these changes.
I have already sent a note with my opposition to school closures, but I want to add that in addition to having been a PTA and School Site Council member at two OUSD schools, I'm a clinical psychologist who has worked with many children and their families, particularly African American children, and it so clear to me how very important the school is as an institution that provides for many kids a safe and a consistent place for them and their moms. Those very schools that you plan to close are ones that should instead be given EXTRA resources, wrap-around services for the children AND their families. It feels like the educational and emotional needs of Black children in Oakland are again being brushed aside with disastrous effects. As if COVID isn't disruptive enough! The school board needs to scream and lobby, cut admin. salaries, but get money to both pay the teachers living wages and keep local schools open, especially in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
R. Fallenbaum, Ph.D.
Vote NO on School closures. This will displace thousands of students, families and teachers and is targeting black and brown families and communities. I strongly oppose closures. Support our Oakland families and vote NO.
I absolutely oppose the inequitable proposal to close and/or merge so many schools so quickly. The list disproportionately impacts low-income students of color as well as others, the timeline is aggressive and completely unrealistic for genuine community engagement and planning, and *negligently lacks an Equity Impact Analysis*. It is disgusting that the Board would even allow this to be up for vote given that none of the diligence has been completed (let alone started) to demonstrate the full breadth of impact.
I urge the Board to pause. PLEASE DO THE WORK, the diligence-accurately complete an Equity Impact Analysis. This should be a baseline!
Following that take the proper time to engage the impacted students and communities in the planning process to ensure needs will be met. The impact of rushing this issue to vote is a sever undermining in public trust for this board to function in service to the communities it serves (all the communities, all people, all socio economic groups).
Why are just the predominantly black schools under consideration for closure?
I am one of many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students Resolution and am vehemently opposed to the proposed racist school closures. Shame on you for not listening to, and engaging with the families, educators, and students, who you are supposed to serve. This proposal is beyond outrageous--it stinks. Hands off our schools!
I’m an East Oakland resident and Ethnic Studies educator at Laney College. I adamantly stand against the proposed school closures. It is an injustice to create so much instability in our young peoples lives, especially in communities that are already so disproportionately impacted. We are more creative then this! We need high quality education that nurtures the intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional well being of our Oakland children. Please put our young people first! NO School Closures!
I am a teacher at Manzanita Seed. I am writing to oppose any school closures at this time. I urge the Board to reinstate the moratorium on school closures and to commission an independent study by UC Berkeley to review each of the schools individually and make recommendations for which schools if any should be closed and how much money ( if any) would actually be saved. This proposal to close schools en masse is being rushed through without a full evaluation of how it would impact the students and families involved. It is based on old data which is inaccurate and doesn’t reflect the reality at te school. For example, Manzanita Community is so full that ELD classes are held on picnic tables outside because there is no other space available. In addition, Manzanita Seed & Manzanita Community already share a librarian, speech therapist, psychologist and nurse. Furthermore there is no room for all of Manzanita Community at Fruitvale school. This proposal makes no sense!
Please oppose the closure of majority BIPOC schools and honor the Reparations for Black Students resolution that OUSD approved last year.
I oppose the proposed legislation to close the 16 schools within OUSD's jurisdiction, as it would directly harm and violate the well-being of our greater Oakland community and deprive future generations of students, teachers, and their peers. It has been obvious since Libby Schaff's neutrality on divesting from officers in OUSD's schools back in 2020, and before, that she and the board need sufficient coaxing in order to protect and look after the well-being of black and brown students in the community. The ordinance to close the schools wouldn't only affect the current staff and students, it would deprive valuable communal resources that aren't readily available to all students and their families such as free internet access provided through schools, access to food, etc.
I strongly oppose the closure of schools. The estimated savings presented by the financial analysts on January 31 is a mere $4.1 to $14.7 million. A mere 1-3% of OUSD's operating budget. It's inconceivable that this amount of harm, disruption, and damage is worth such an insignificant dent in the budget. The harm is not proportionate to the savings and is in no way justifiable. The data presented showed no review or analysis of the median income level of families at the schools, no review of the transportation options for the students, no exploration of how the school provides students with feelings of safety and belonging. There was no equity analysis showing how these closures would not disproportionately harm Black students and students of color. Engage in this process in an equitable, community-driven way, and with transparency for the community. Vote NO!
Y’all paid TWO consultants $75k to do reports on how much money closing PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOLS down would be. What an outrage. What a SCANDAL!!!! To think that that money could’ve GONE TO STUDENTS/TEACHERS!!!! SHAME ON THE SCHOOL BOARD!!! NO SCHOOL CLOSURES. THIS IS FURTHERED GENTRIFICATION. THE COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE HAVING IT!!!!! WHAT DO WE DO WHEN OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK?! WE STAND UP N FIGHT BACK!!!! STOP THE RACISM. STOP THE GENTRIFICATION. STOP SCHOOL CLOSURES THAT WILL AFFECT BLACK AND BROWN KIDS!!!
My name is Dar. I'm an after school instructor at Laurel Elementary. We are predominantly black public school.
Below are what MY students believe should happen with the school closures:
"As a group, we all oppose. WE believe that a lack of education will led to more disparities within our communities. More children who are displaced and merged with other schools have to travel farther. It's less convenient for students and their families. It would also make more sense to have less students in the class room because that will lead to more one on one interaction with the teacher. It's also RACI$T. OUSD prioritizes money over children. OUSD has the money. But they would rather fund the police."
If OUSD follows through with school closures they are disgusting.
Don't close ANY SCHOOLS!
The decision to close community schools is so short sighted, it doesn't get past the first stop sign.
The way to stop the OUSD slide is to strengthen community. We can do this.
The advice the board is getting serves to double down on systemic racism. What a kick in the gut to these families!
Give the city time to get help from the state. That's the right thing to do. Don't give in to the money managers. They don't share the goals of OUSD.
OPPOSE. I am outraged by this proposal. Closures harms students and cost our district money. Protect our schools and protect our students.
I am a parent of an OUSD student at Melrose Leadership Academy. I am writing to oppose the school closures that are being proposed as they disproportionately target 7 majority-black schools. This is especially distressing on the heals of a pandemic that already disrupted the lives of students, and particularly of black and brown communities. This kind of decision will only perpetuate and intensify the racialized educational disparities for black students in this district. And in terms of process, there needs to be more notice, process and community engagement before a decision of this magnitude is made. I urge the Board to implement a racial equity impact analysis before voting on this. -
These school closures are racist attacks on our public school system. OUSD should not balance the budget on the backs of Black and Brown students and families. This is a huge disruption in the lives of the students, teachers and staff it will affect. It will also increase under enrollment rather than improve it. Keep Oakland public schools open!
I am horrified that the Board is considering these horrendous actions that violate existing policy and reinforces inequities in our district. It is well established that school closures do not solve budget issues and instead reinforce racial inequities, causing lasting trauma and negative impacts on children, families and communities. NO MORE SCHOOL CLOSURES.
I am one of many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students Resolution and am opposed to OUSD’s attempt to balance the budget on the backs of our Black students. This board has failed to engage the community tonight's decision will impact nor has the board conducted a necessary equity impact analysis. There are other ways to handle a budget crisis and OUSD’s own history of school closures is a clear indicator that closing schools will not produce the desired district savings. Hands off our schools!
I am a Black college student and in all of my educational years, I have only felt support and the ability to succeed when I attended Black schools (elementary and middle school). Having attended a predominately white high school, a period where teens are looking for acceptance and encouragement from teachers and peers, I encountered many uncomfortable and racially insensitive moments. Being the only black student in my AP English class, I had no allies to unpack the heavy load created by my White English teacher giving the thumbs up to non white students to use the N word. A school that has representation of students in the classrooms, textbooks, and teachers is dire.To closedown black and brown schools in Oakland is a major disservice to these bright and brilliant young men and women. I have my third grade science teacher to thank for my career path of environmental science. My goals of being an environmental lawyer came from attending Black schools. A place where I found peace.
If the board decides to close schools, my hope is:
1. In addition to centering students at merging and closing school with the "opportunity ticket," we also center teachers and staff that are effected by the consolidations by prioritizing them as positions open this spring and summer. My understanding that typically # of years of tenure is the primary driver of how open positions are filled. Perhaps other factors should be considered as well.
2. Some of the pushback against consolidations stems from the belief that new charter schools will pop up in their place. That didn't happen with Kaiser (will reopen as CDC) or Roots (CCPA expanded), but community trust will be further eroded if newly authorized charter schools pop up on any of these campuses. With the 2013 consolidations, 2 of 5 campuses now have charters.
3. The board and district staff should take greater efforts to understand and measure financial, organizational capacity, enrollment and student outcomes of these changes.
I have already sent a note with my opposition to school closures, but I want to add that in addition to having been a PTA and School Site Council member at two OUSD schools, I'm a clinical psychologist who has worked with many children and their families, particularly African American children, and it so clear to me how very important the school is as an institution that provides for many kids a safe and a consistent place for them and their moms. Those very schools that you plan to close are ones that should instead be given EXTRA resources, wrap-around services for the children AND their families. It feels like the educational and emotional needs of Black children in Oakland are again being brushed aside with disastrous effects. As if COVID isn't disruptive enough! The school board needs to scream and lobby, cut admin. salaries, but get money to both pay the teachers living wages and keep local schools open, especially in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
R. Fallenbaum, Ph.D.
Vote NO on School closures. This will displace thousands of students, families and teachers and is targeting black and brown families and communities. I strongly oppose closures. Support our Oakland families and vote NO.
I absolutely oppose the inequitable proposal to close and/or merge so many schools so quickly. The list disproportionately impacts low-income students of color as well as others, the timeline is aggressive and completely unrealistic for genuine community engagement and planning, and *negligently lacks an Equity Impact Analysis*. It is disgusting that the Board would even allow this to be up for vote given that none of the diligence has been completed (let alone started) to demonstrate the full breadth of impact.
I urge the Board to pause. PLEASE DO THE WORK, the diligence-accurately complete an Equity Impact Analysis. This should be a baseline!
Following that take the proper time to engage the impacted students and communities in the planning process to ensure needs will be met. The impact of rushing this issue to vote is a sever undermining in public trust for this board to function in service to the communities it serves (all the communities, all people, all socio economic groups).