Jody London
A former staff analyst for the California Public Utilities Commission with a background in energy policy, Jody London has represented North Oakland since 2009 and currently serves as board president. London has two children in OUSD schools; she originally became involved with the district as a co-chair for the campaign for Measure B, a $435 million school facilities bond initiative approved by voters in 2006. She says her priorities are to provide good opportunities for every child in the city and ensure the district remains financially sound.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
Thearse Pecot
An Oakland resident for 40 years, Thearse Pecot was a vocal opponent of the district’s decision to close five elementary schools last year, including Santa Fe Elementary--where three of her grandchildren were enrolled. Pecot filed a lawsuit against the district that has not yet made it to court, claiming the closure denies North Oakland students, including minority, low-income and special education students, “basic educational equity” by forcing them to attend schools much farther from their homes. Pecot volunteers her time working with youth through the Upper Room Church of God in Christ and Bridge the Chasm, a tutoring program for K-12 students.
Thearse Pecot was not available to speak with Oakland North for this story by press time.
Jumoke Hinton-Hodge
The District 3 incumbent, Jumoke Hinton-Hodge, describes herself as an organizer. She began as a concerned parent with kids in OUSD schools and was first elected to the OUSD school board in 2008. She also co-founded the Parent Leadership and Education Academy Initiative (PLEA), which is designed to create collaboration opportunities between West Oakland parents and families.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
Benjamin Lang
Benjamin Lang, an Adams Point resident, wants to bring educational technology to Oakland classrooms. A middle school teacher for over 20 years, he served as director of educational technology for Orinda's public schools. He says he is not interested in politics - he is not planning on actively campaigning - but wants a chance to give back to Oakland.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
Richard Fuentes
Currently serving as a policy analyst for Oakland city council member Ignacio De La Fuente, Richard Fuentes says he is running for school board because, growing up in a Spanish-speaking household in Los Angeles, he didn’t learn to read or write in English until he was in fifth grade. Endorsed by state superintendent of schools Tom Torlakson, Fuentes says his experience on the Hoover School Site Council provided him with insight on how to improve schools.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
Mike Hutchinson
Mike Hutchinson says his family profession has always been education. In fact, he became involved in the schools by volunteering in the classroom for his mother, who worked for Oakland Public Schools for 40 years. After working on the failed spring 2012 attempt to keep a number of public schools open, Mike Hutchinson decided to take his involvement in politics to the next level. Hutchinson argues that the school district appears to shut people out at times, and that if elected, he would open the doors to those who have been left out.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
Rosie Torres
An attorney for over ten years, Rosie Torres says she's running for school board because of the discrepancies she sees between schools she visits as a volunteer for Oakland’s College Awareness Advisory Program--and, by contrast, the high numbers of OUSD graduates she has seen in the criminal justice system. Torres says her education and her experiences as a parent of an OUSD middle schooler make her a strong candidate.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
James Harris
Although Harris is entering his first school board election, he is not new to the terrain. He is an East Oakland kid who attended district schools until he was admitted to San Francisco’s Lick Wilmerding High School. While in middle school, Harris joined the Aim High program, which worked as a liaison to ease the process of entering the academically rigorous high school. Years later, Harris attributes his affinity for education to the experience he received through the Aim High program; He now serves on the organization’s board. Harris, a founding member of GO Public Schools, is one of three candidates the organization has endorsed for this election.
What are some challenges that your district will face in the upcoming school year?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
OUSD has a deficit of tens of millions of dollars. How will you contribute to the goal of bringing that down?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
What initiatives are you looking forward to working with other school board members on?
Alice Spearman
Alice Spearman, the District 7 incumbent, was voted head of the PTA after serving as the parent representative at one of her daughters’ schools. Spearman says that her educational experience taught her about school governance and the need for parents to be actively involved in the education of their children. The former chair of the District Advisory Council, she was elected to Oakland’s school board seven years ago.