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 strongly oppose the proposal set before you to close schools in Oakland. Students have a sense of pride and belonging from their neighborhood school. No student or parent should have to make arrangements to attend schools outside of their walkable blocks, but this proposal specifically puts that burden on Black and Brown students. You know it and we all know it. As a teacher and fellow CTA member with my union siblings fighting the good fight, I know that stability and community bonds are what is the right and necessary thing right now. Do not close schools in a reactionary and short-sighted response. Do the right thing and find better ways in which to spend the money we all know you have. The governor's budget has been very positive in terms of school funding, so the excuses-- which I hear in my district, too-- are not valid. Stop dispersing money from where it belongs and where it will do the most good. We know your tricks and we're sick of them. #NoCutsNoClosures #WeAreCTA
I am a District 1 resident and one of many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students Resolution. I 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!
As an Oakland resident, I OPPOSE school closures effecting Oakland's youth communities. During such turbulent times, these kids deserve stability and support not additional obstacles for education. These school closures are not an equitable solution to this budget issue. Putting a kid's education at risk is irresponsible and goes against all promises made to make education more equitable for Oakland neighborhoods.
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 in how tonight's decision will impact them 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!
Vote no on this proposal that targets majority Black schools without a meaningful community engagement process. After two years of uncertainty and instability in the education system, this hasty proposal threatens to further disrupt children's education and the fabric of families and the communities these schools serve.
I am one of many 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. As an Oakland community member and worker for 40 years, a parent whose children went thru OUSD schools (and their dad taught at several) I’ve seen the amazing work in the schools and the ways policies can be harmful. The Reparations for Black Students Resolution is hugely powerful and promising work and it’s past time for changes to be made real. Closing schools is heading the wrong way! Hands off our schools!
Both our sons went to OUSD schools K-12, and I remain appalled at the district's actions when it comes to school closures. When I think about all the dollars spent by the district on consultants and non-school (i.e., for admin) buildings - in other words, MONEY NOT SPENT ON STUDENTS - I'm disgusted. And now, more of the same - yet again the district makes up for poor spending decisions by making cutbacks that harm students, families, and their communities. Specifically, Black and Brown students. There is no community engagement on this, just top-down action that makes no cuts from the top. Get it together and SERVE THE STUDENTS INSTEAD OF YOURSELVES - instead of something that will directly harm them, their learning, and their livelihoods.
As an OUSD parent and resident I oppose the school closures. We must not increase instability and trauma in our children's lives when viable alternatives to address OUSD's financial crisis remain untapped and/or unexplored.
I oppose these school closures. Oakland needs MORE, not FEWER schools, and MORE school funding. Let's figure out a way to do that instead of 'consolidating'.
I am a former student teacher at OUSD and firmly oppose this sudden plan to claw Oakland schools without parent and student and community input. Why the urgency…and who will benefit if these closures are ramroaded through despite the firm opposition of Oakland residents?
Vote no on this hasty proposal which targets schools with high Black student enrollment! Cost-saving measures may be necessary, but they must be done equitably instead of falling on Black students and families that OUSD acknowledged “have experienced significant barriers and anti‐Black racist structures in OUSD schools, and have suffered from a lack of investment in their success” in the Reparations for Black Students resolution. In addition to acknowledging anti-Blackness in OUSD, the resolution committed to taking steps to address inequity, including an impact analysis before voting on school closures, and more involvement from community. Please vote no and follow through with these commitments. And when the time comes to make decisions, make sure any measures don’t fall hardest on those who have always been hit hardest. And consider ways to involve students and community and communicate processes and decisions in more restorative, relationship based ways.
I am a South Prescott resident and I strongly oppose the closures and consolidations of local schools. Small neighborhood schools are good for healthy neighborhoods. School is good for healthy children.
I have visited my neighborhood Prescott School and am impressed by its arts and community garden programs in addition to its academics. My neighborhood's children have thrived at Prescott School. We cannot let budget cuts close this and other schools- find another solution!
As a parent of a third grader and an eighth grader in OUSD I oppose the closure of schools. These hotspots of community cooperation and nurturing are far too precious to be considered disposable. State funds would be well-spent bolstering OUSD’s presence in our neighborhoods. The State has $20 billion extra this year. OUSD leadership should be advocating for our schools by seeking funds to keep the district solvent - if it really is in a financial crisis.
My name is Ixchel Arista, I’m in eleventh grade, and I attend Oakland High School. I am part of the Youth Organizing Council and a youth organizer with Oakland Kids First. I am in opposition of school closures and consolidations because of the numerous negative impacts that they’ll have on not only students but everyone in their lives, their families, the people who’ll have to take them to farther schools, the teachers with too many students to give them the attention we need to thrive. Not to mention so many single parents and parents who work multiple jobs the fact that students will have to experience a stressful and abrupt transition to a completely new environment all in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Every part of the process of school closures brings a different form of stress that will impact students' ability to learn and succeed in school and the future.
It saddens me that Community Day is still on the list of closures with Sam Davis propose amendment. Community Day is the school with students are actively drowning in the pipeline to prison, and we have been pulling them out from the deepest parts of the pipeline. During the 2019-2020 school year CDS had 39 students enrolled. We lost many students to distant learning, because their lives outside of school prevented them from showing up as their full selves--the way they do when we are in person. We currently have 14 students. The districts is proposing our numbers at nine. That proposal is false based on what we have seen at Community Day, and even if it is nine those nine students deserve our resources and the small classes that have proven to work with this population. Taking away Community Day is only delivering these students to crime, prison, and or an early grave.
I strongly oppose the proposal set before you to close schools in Oakland. Students have a sense of pride and belonging from their neighborhood school. No student or parent should have to make arrangements to attend schools outside of their walkable blocks, but this proposal specifically puts that burden on Black and Brown students. You know it and we all know it. As a teacher and fellow CTA member with my union siblings fighting the good fight, I know that stability and community bonds are what is the right and necessary thing right now. Do not close schools in a reactionary and short-sighted response. Do the right thing and find better ways in which to spend the money we all know you have. The governor's budget has been very positive in terms of school funding, so the excuses-- which I hear in my district, too-- are not valid. Stop dispersing money from where it belongs and where it will do the most good. We know your tricks and we're sick of them. #NoCutsNoClosures #WeAreCTA
I am a District 1 resident and one of many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students Resolution. I 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!
As an Oakland resident, I OPPOSE school closures effecting Oakland's youth communities. During such turbulent times, these kids deserve stability and support not additional obstacles for education. These school closures are not an equitable solution to this budget issue. Putting a kid's education at risk is irresponsible and goes against all promises made to make education more equitable for Oakland neighborhoods.
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 in how tonight's decision will impact them 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!
Vote no on this proposal that targets majority Black schools without a meaningful community engagement process. After two years of uncertainty and instability in the education system, this hasty proposal threatens to further disrupt children's education and the fabric of families and the communities these schools serve.
I oppose closing tehse schools and support lower class size and demanding funding from the state budget.
I am one of many 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. As an Oakland community member and worker for 40 years, a parent whose children went thru OUSD schools (and their dad taught at several) I’ve seen the amazing work in the schools and the ways policies can be harmful. The Reparations for Black Students Resolution is hugely powerful and promising work and it’s past time for changes to be made real. Closing schools is heading the wrong way! Hands off our schools!
Both our sons went to OUSD schools K-12, and I remain appalled at the district's actions when it comes to school closures. When I think about all the dollars spent by the district on consultants and non-school (i.e., for admin) buildings - in other words, MONEY NOT SPENT ON STUDENTS - I'm disgusted. And now, more of the same - yet again the district makes up for poor spending decisions by making cutbacks that harm students, families, and their communities. Specifically, Black and Brown students. There is no community engagement on this, just top-down action that makes no cuts from the top. Get it together and SERVE THE STUDENTS INSTEAD OF YOURSELVES - instead of something that will directly harm them, their learning, and their livelihoods.
Prescott parent and I’m opposed to all school closures. This hurts our kids!
Closing these schools when the higher admin get large salaries is in direct opposition of the mission of any school district. Keep thr schools open!!!
As an OUSD parent and resident I oppose the school closures. We must not increase instability and trauma in our children's lives when viable alternatives to address OUSD's financial crisis remain untapped and/or unexplored.
I oppose these school closures. Oakland needs MORE, not FEWER schools, and MORE school funding. Let's figure out a way to do that instead of 'consolidating'.
I oppose to the school closure. Many students are being affected by this and they shouldn’t go through this.
I am a former student teacher at OUSD and firmly oppose this sudden plan to claw Oakland schools without parent and student and community input. Why the urgency…and who will benefit if these closures are ramroaded through despite the firm opposition of Oakland residents?
Vote no on this hasty proposal which targets schools with high Black student enrollment! Cost-saving measures may be necessary, but they must be done equitably instead of falling on Black students and families that OUSD acknowledged “have experienced significant barriers and anti‐Black racist structures in OUSD schools, and have suffered from a lack of investment in their success” in the Reparations for Black Students resolution. In addition to acknowledging anti-Blackness in OUSD, the resolution committed to taking steps to address inequity, including an impact analysis before voting on school closures, and more involvement from community. Please vote no and follow through with these commitments. And when the time comes to make decisions, make sure any measures don’t fall hardest on those who have always been hit hardest. And consider ways to involve students and community and communicate processes and decisions in more restorative, relationship based ways.
I am a South Prescott resident and I strongly oppose the closures and consolidations of local schools. Small neighborhood schools are good for healthy neighborhoods. School is good for healthy children.
I have visited my neighborhood Prescott School and am impressed by its arts and community garden programs in addition to its academics. My neighborhood's children have thrived at Prescott School. We cannot let budget cuts close this and other schools- find another solution!
I support the proposed closures to create savings and enhance resources available for the remaining schools, students and staff.
As a parent of a third grader and an eighth grader in OUSD I oppose the closure of schools. These hotspots of community cooperation and nurturing are far too precious to be considered disposable. State funds would be well-spent bolstering OUSD’s presence in our neighborhoods. The State has $20 billion extra this year. OUSD leadership should be advocating for our schools by seeking funds to keep the district solvent - if it really is in a financial crisis.
My name is Ixchel Arista, I’m in eleventh grade, and I attend Oakland High School. I am part of the Youth Organizing Council and a youth organizer with Oakland Kids First. I am in opposition of school closures and consolidations because of the numerous negative impacts that they’ll have on not only students but everyone in their lives, their families, the people who’ll have to take them to farther schools, the teachers with too many students to give them the attention we need to thrive. Not to mention so many single parents and parents who work multiple jobs the fact that students will have to experience a stressful and abrupt transition to a completely new environment all in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Every part of the process of school closures brings a different form of stress that will impact students' ability to learn and succeed in school and the future.
It saddens me that Community Day is still on the list of closures with Sam Davis propose amendment. Community Day is the school with students are actively drowning in the pipeline to prison, and we have been pulling them out from the deepest parts of the pipeline. During the 2019-2020 school year CDS had 39 students enrolled. We lost many students to distant learning, because their lives outside of school prevented them from showing up as their full selves--the way they do when we are in person. We currently have 14 students. The districts is proposing our numbers at nine. That proposal is false based on what we have seen at Community Day, and even if it is nine those nine students deserve our resources and the small classes that have proven to work with this population. Taking away Community Day is only delivering these students to crime, prison, and or an early grave.