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 urge the board to vote no on school consolidation for the next school year. In order to continue to build trust and avoid more families leaving the district, it's essential that the district engage in a process of stakeholder engagement to inform future decision making about closures and consolidations. How can we move forward with a plan that has admitted the majority of the adverse effects will be felt by already historically marginalized communities? What have we learned from past closures and consolidations, in our district, and across the country--- do they result in the anticipated savings and program improvement? Which districts have successfully used this process to build trust, savings and quality? Let's learn from their processes.
I urge the board to vote no on school consolidation for the next school year. In order to continue to build trust and avoid more families leaving the district, it's essential that the district engage in a process of stakeholder engagement to inform future decision making about closures and consolidations. How can we move forward with a plan that has admitted the majority of the adverse effects will be felt by already historically marginalized communities? What have we learned from past closures and consolidations, in our district, and across the country--- do they result in the anticipated savings and program improvement? Which districts have successfully used this process to build trust, savings and quality? Let's learn from their processes.
As a student, I feel like we should stay together and make change even with lower classmen with the "lack" of money from the ousd department has to spare. To fund the public school system is ridiculous. Kids in fear of where they will be going fear of where they might end up is absurd & not to mention the promises that are made and are never met.
I am strongly opposed to school closures as it with disproportionately affect our more vulnerable youth at a time when we already know they have been negatively affected by the pandemic. We should be putting all available resources federal, state and county toward keeping schools open and maintaining non-charter, public school for our kids. I am very concerned that we are headed toward more charter schools that are less committed to our communities. Quite honestly, I am angry, embarrassed and ashamed that I live in a community that is not fighting for the well-being of ALL children.
As well put by others, and as one familiar with faculty and students at OUSD schools, I am OPPOSED to OUSD’s attempt to balance the budget through rushed and racist school closures. There are other ways to handle a budget crisis -- those of us who have been around for a while know that OUSD’s own history of school closures is a clear indicator that closing schools will not produce the desired district savings. Please listen to City Council members Carroll Fife, Nikki Fortunato Bas, Rebecca Kaplan, and Sheng Thao, as they have proposed alternative ways to repair our economic situation WITHOUT doing further damage to our children and most impacted communities.
Long time resident of Oakland and former OUSD social worker. I oppose this proposition to close schools that will disproportionately affect students of color
I live in District 4. Along with many Oaklanders, I support the Reparations for Black Students resolution. I am opposed OUSD’s plan to balance the budget on the back of our Black students. This board has not engaged the community in tonight’s decision. Also, there needs to be an equity impact analysis. OUSD’s own history of closing schools shows that closing schools do not produce the desired district savings. Neighborhood schools are essential to our communities. I urge you not to pursue the proposal to close schools.
I am a resident of District 1 and 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!
Having been through a school closure and merger already I am opposed to the resolutions as they currently stand especially in light of the lack of community engagement and the timing. Please vote no and schedule time to engage with communities around their schools.
The plan to close schools is a serious decision, that must be given serious consideration. The total lack of process for community input and the haste to vote negates any potential positive impact this decision could make. If OUSD truly values the experiences of its students, particularly its black and brown students, then I urge you to vote no and avoid closing their community schools.
As an OUSD alum (K-12), I strongly oppose the closure of more OUSD schools, especially when it clearly and disproportionately negatively impacts so many Black students and families. Listen to the voices of the students, educators, staff, families, community sharing that closing/merging these schools is wrong - don't violate the Reparations for Black Students Resolution.
I've been an OUSD parent for over a decade and have been deeply involved on a number of schooling issues. I understand the budget woes that have led the board to attempt to take this action, and am not against all school closures. For example, I have long questioned the logic of the small K-8 schools in this district, and I do support eliminating the smaller middle school programs if that means redistributing resources to children in our community who are underserved. I know that difficult decisions need to be made, but I do not understand why they are being made without community consultation or an equity impact analysis. Taking this action now without following the proper process is going to further erode an already weak basis of trust between the community and OUSD. Please reconsider your decision making process.
Hello, my name is Kara and I am a resident of District 1. I am one of the many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students resolution and I am opposed to OUSD’s attempt to balance the budget on the back of our Black students. This board has failed to engage the community in tonight’s decision and conduct the 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 strongly oppose the closure of even more of our Oakland schools, particularly when we are in the middle of a pandemic and our students are already struggling.
I am a special education teacher at United for Success Academy. This racist policy of attempting to close majority-Black schools is unacceptable. Closing schools in this way does not match OUSD's claim to be a Community School District. Getting rid of these neighborhood schools will cause irreparable harm to students and families, and will NOT solve OUSD's financial problems, which stem from financial mismanagement and NOT the fact that we have small schools that actually meet the needs of our students and community. BE HONEST with yourselves and the community. Listen the voices of the THOUSANDS of students, families, educators, and community members who say CLOSING/MERGING 16 SCHOOLS IS WRONG.
I am a white parent to a student at Sequoia Elementary 4th Grader.
I oppose the hasty, short-sided, and inequitable proposal to close and/or merge so many schools so quickly. The list disproportionately impacts low-income students of color and students with special needs, includes an unrealistic timeline for community engagement and proper planning, and negligently lacks an Equity Impact Analysis.
I urge the Board to pause in order to accurately complete an Equity Impact Analysis and make adjustments based on those findings. Also, take the proper time to engage the impacted students and communities in the planning process to ensure needs will be met. Finally, it is not clear that OUSD has adequately considered alternatives to closures. Nationwide studies have shown school closures do not save money nor do they improve outcomes for impacted students.
Please pause these inequitable and negligent closures that lack a proper timeline.
We need more schools not less. This is so simple to understand. This is not a financial issue this is a human rights issue. Kids are our future and a priceless investment.
I urge the board to vote no on school consolidation for the next school year. In order to continue to build trust and avoid more families leaving the district, it's essential that the district engage in a process of stakeholder engagement to inform future decision making about closures and consolidations. How can we move forward with a plan that has admitted the majority of the adverse effects will be felt by already historically marginalized communities? What have we learned from past closures and consolidations, in our district, and across the country--- do they result in the anticipated savings and program improvement? Which districts have successfully used this process to build trust, savings and quality? Let's learn from their processes.
I urge the board to vote no on school consolidation for the next school year. In order to continue to build trust and avoid more families leaving the district, it's essential that the district engage in a process of stakeholder engagement to inform future decision making about closures and consolidations. How can we move forward with a plan that has admitted the majority of the adverse effects will be felt by already historically marginalized communities? What have we learned from past closures and consolidations, in our district, and across the country--- do they result in the anticipated savings and program improvement? Which districts have successfully used this process to build trust, savings and quality? Let's learn from their processes.
Standing with students, educators, parents and the community, I STRONGLY OPPOSE the closing of Oakland schools.
As a student, I feel like we should stay together and make change even with lower classmen with the "lack" of money from the ousd department has to spare. To fund the public school system is ridiculous. Kids in fear of where they will be going fear of where they might end up is absurd & not to mention the promises that are made and are never met.
I am strongly opposed to school closures as it with disproportionately affect our more vulnerable youth at a time when we already know they have been negatively affected by the pandemic. We should be putting all available resources federal, state and county toward keeping schools open and maintaining non-charter, public school for our kids. I am very concerned that we are headed toward more charter schools that are less committed to our communities. Quite honestly, I am angry, embarrassed and ashamed that I live in a community that is not fighting for the well-being of ALL children.
As well put by others, and as one familiar with faculty and students at OUSD schools, I am OPPOSED to OUSD’s attempt to balance the budget through rushed and racist school closures. There are other ways to handle a budget crisis -- those of us who have been around for a while know that OUSD’s own history of school closures is a clear indicator that closing schools will not produce the desired district savings. Please listen to City Council members Carroll Fife, Nikki Fortunato Bas, Rebecca Kaplan, and Sheng Thao, as they have proposed alternative ways to repair our economic situation WITHOUT doing further damage to our children and most impacted communities.
Long time resident of Oakland and former OUSD social worker. I oppose this proposition to close schools that will disproportionately affect students of color
I live in District 4. Along with many Oaklanders, I support the Reparations for Black Students resolution. I am opposed OUSD’s plan to balance the budget on the back of our Black students. This board has not engaged the community in tonight’s decision. Also, there needs to be an equity impact analysis. OUSD’s own history of closing schools shows that closing schools do not produce the desired district savings. Neighborhood schools are essential to our communities. I urge you not to pursue the proposal to close schools.
I am a resident of District 1 and 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!
Having been through a school closure and merger already I am opposed to the resolutions as they currently stand especially in light of the lack of community engagement and the timing. Please vote no and schedule time to engage with communities around their schools.
The plan to close schools is a serious decision, that must be given serious consideration. The total lack of process for community input and the haste to vote negates any potential positive impact this decision could make. If OUSD truly values the experiences of its students, particularly its black and brown students, then I urge you to vote no and avoid closing their community schools.
I strongly oppose the closures.
As an OUSD alum (K-12), I strongly oppose the closure of more OUSD schools, especially when it clearly and disproportionately negatively impacts so many Black students and families. Listen to the voices of the students, educators, staff, families, community sharing that closing/merging these schools is wrong - don't violate the Reparations for Black Students Resolution.
More inclusion of the community in all decision making. This is not how this is done! Now is not the time to shake up an already challenging time.
I've been an OUSD parent for over a decade and have been deeply involved on a number of schooling issues. I understand the budget woes that have led the board to attempt to take this action, and am not against all school closures. For example, I have long questioned the logic of the small K-8 schools in this district, and I do support eliminating the smaller middle school programs if that means redistributing resources to children in our community who are underserved. I know that difficult decisions need to be made, but I do not understand why they are being made without community consultation or an equity impact analysis. Taking this action now without following the proper process is going to further erode an already weak basis of trust between the community and OUSD. Please reconsider your decision making process.
Hello, my name is Kara and I am a resident of District 1. I am one of the many supporters of the Reparations for Black Students resolution and I am opposed to OUSD’s attempt to balance the budget on the back of our Black students. This board has failed to engage the community in tonight’s decision and conduct the 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 strongly oppose the closure of even more of our Oakland schools, particularly when we are in the middle of a pandemic and our students are already struggling.
I am a special education teacher at United for Success Academy. This racist policy of attempting to close majority-Black schools is unacceptable. Closing schools in this way does not match OUSD's claim to be a Community School District. Getting rid of these neighborhood schools will cause irreparable harm to students and families, and will NOT solve OUSD's financial problems, which stem from financial mismanagement and NOT the fact that we have small schools that actually meet the needs of our students and community. BE HONEST with yourselves and the community. Listen the voices of the THOUSANDS of students, families, educators, and community members who say CLOSING/MERGING 16 SCHOOLS IS WRONG.
I am a white parent to a student at Sequoia Elementary 4th Grader.
I oppose the hasty, short-sided, and inequitable proposal to close and/or merge so many schools so quickly. The list disproportionately impacts low-income students of color and students with special needs, includes an unrealistic timeline for community engagement and proper planning, and negligently lacks an Equity Impact Analysis.
I urge the Board to pause in order to accurately complete an Equity Impact Analysis and make adjustments based on those findings. Also, take the proper time to engage the impacted students and communities in the planning process to ensure needs will be met. Finally, it is not clear that OUSD has adequately considered alternatives to closures. Nationwide studies have shown school closures do not save money nor do they improve outcomes for impacted students.
Please pause these inequitable and negligent closures that lack a proper timeline.
We need more schools not less. This is so simple to understand. This is not a financial issue this is a human rights issue. Kids are our future and a priceless investment.