2024 Local Elections: Q&A for Oakland Unified School Candidates, District 5

By Magaly Muñoz

In a few weeks, Oakland residents will vote for new school board directors in four districts across the city.

The Post reached out to the eight candidates across Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 to see what their views are on various topics concerning the OUSD community. Below are questions and answers from District 5 candidate Patrice Berry. Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez, the other D5 candidate, did not respond to requests for written or phone interview responses.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Q1: What do you think the biggest challenge will be to address while on the board?

Berry: The very biggest challenge for the board is probably balancing the budget in the short term while also establishing a plan for fiscal sustainability. It’s worth noting that in addition to our fiscal challenges, OUSD faces these big challenges: low literacy, math, and postsecondary readiness performance and public safety. Another opportunity includes improving student and educator well-being.

Q2: Given the large financial debt OUSD has and the looming threat of school closures, how will you ensure that funding for essential resources remain for students? What ideas do you have that do not include closing down schools?

Berry: First, I would love to work with other school board members, the superintendent, students, families, educators, and others to identify a set of budget scenarios that do not include school closures because our unique school communities are often also essential resources for students and families. To protect funding for essential resources for students, we have to consider strategies to reduce costs [such as] eliminating redundancies and inefficiencies, as well as opportunities to increase revenue.

One of my first priorities will be to work with colleagues and our communities to identify other sources of revenue that could generate income in the immediate future, over time, and in the long term. Potential sources of new revenue include leasing land to develop affordable housing or housing for educators we want to attract and retain in the district, renting or leasing space to maximize the use of underutilized buildings for community-driven programs and services, and tapping into county and state grant programs dedicated to mental health and wellness, violence prevention, homelessness prevention and other major challenges that impact education.

Q3: Students have reported feeling as though there is not enough inclusivity amongst their peers, often feeling a divide with those of other race and ethnic backgrounds. What do you think is the best way to foster an environment where students are not feeling excluded because of their background and differences to peers?

Berry: First, I think inclusivity is something that should be prioritized and developed into the DNA of a school community even when there is a sense that exclusion does not exist or isn’t prevalent. Sometimes, students experiencing exclusion also experience the marginalization of their voices such that to others, it may not be readily obvious that it’s happening.

Second, one of the best ways to foster an environment where students do not feel excluded is to get to know and understand our students, which is inherently valuable but also absolutely necessary in order to develop responsive learning communities that embrace all of our young people. I have had so many students tell me that one of the things they desire the most is listening and genuine curiosity. If we work with students to build a culture of listening and curiosity, we’re also likely to create a culture where differences are considered opportunities instead of challenges.

I also think student leadership helps build safe spaces for students, and representation among educators is also critical [because] they represent the diversity of our students. The more our learning environments reflect the diversity of our students and their experiences and perspectives, the more likely all of our students will feel a deep sense of belonging.

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