Months after closing at least ten K-12 schools throughout the city and restructuring others as semi-public charter schools, Oakland's state-appointed school administrator Randy Ward has proposed shutting down the entire Oakland Adult Education program. Under Dr. Ward's plan, hundreds of teachers, clerical workers, custodians, and other employees would lose their jobs. Some 30,000 adults who relied on Adult Education for essential classes in English and other languages, high school equivalency diplomas, computer literacy, job training, senior citizen programs, health education, and other areas would suddenly be left with no educational opportunities.

The entire adult education program in Oakland may be closed down as of June 30th of this year. Many Adult Education teachers in Oakland received a notice on Feb. 18th stating that if class attendance falls below 14 students, that class will be considered for immediate closure. Ward's latest plans will be discussed during the School Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 23rd at 4 p.m., 1025 2nd Ave. near Laney College/Lake Merritt. A town hall meeting to defend public education has been called for, Tuesday, March 8th, 6–8 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. Reports: 1 | 2 | 3