Oakland School Reform

Oakland, CA. Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, State Senate Major Leader Don Perata, and a representative from the office of State School Superintendent Jack O'Connell met with Oakland community members about concerns surrounding the state's appointment of a school district administrator.

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), parents, teachers and students expressed their concern about the choice of an administrator who is mandated, as part of a $100 million dollar state loan, to take over Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to deal with its financial crisis.

Rally attendees asked that gains made in school reform efforts be supported by city and state officials, demanding that officials guarantee Oakland community members have a say in the choice of administrator. The administrator, they argue, must demonstrate a commitment to keep funds in small learning communities and small schools in order to continue improving the district.

Mayor Brown, Senator Perata and the representative for Jack O'Connell all stated that the administrator will be a "educational leader" and the decision process will "involve the Oakland community." Jack O'Connell's representative said, "we will put kids first ... support school reform ... [and] ... make sure that the Oakland community wil be part of the decision making process."

"We will hold you to that," stated one attendee, in response to promises made by Brown, Perata and O'Connell.