School Board

Schools face low enrollment and teacher consolidations

Over a month into the new school year, Kaiser Elementary teacher Douglas Feague found himself in his principal’s office at lunch, digesting some difficult news: His position was being “consolidated.” In other words, the school could no longer afford an eleventh full-time teacher, and Feague, the least senior staff member, would need to relocate to a different school.

School board candidates sound off on district challenges

This November, four seats on the Oakland Unified School District board are up for election. In three of the district races, incumbents face new opponents, while in District 5, candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by longtime board member Noel Gallo. Gallo, who has represented Glenview and Fruitvale since 1992, is currently running for the Oakland City Council. Click on the photos of the candidates above to read brief profiles and listen to their responses to three questions…

School board hears parents’ objections to consolidation plans

Parents, teachers and students wearing green Kaiser Elementary t-shirts and holding colorful banners gathered outside the Paul Robeson building before the Oakland school board meeting Wednesday evening, in protest against the combining of the school’s kindergarten and first grade classes.

Oakland forum explores pros and cons of Propositions 30, 38 for schools

On Wednesday night, “Stand Up for Our Children: A Community Forum” at the Oakland School for the Arts in downtown Oakland brought together educators, administrators and local political figures to discuss two propositions on the November ballot that could generate new funds for public schools by raising taxes for Californians. The forum also included a “break-away” session that allowed attendees to voice their concerns in more in-depth fashion.