Economics

Oakland School Board Demands Full Disclosure of Budget Shortfall

Published

9 years ago

January 20, 2017

Demanding budget transparency, the Oakland Board of Education voted this week to postpone making $14 million in cuts that staff was recommending for next school year, saying they wanted administrators to answer questions about how the district got into its current financial mess and to explain the real impact of vaguely worded cuts on departments, schools and services.

The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) board voted 5-2 at a special budget meeting Wednesday night to postpone the decision to move ahead on the cuts.

All the board members said they recognized that cuts would have to be made in order to maintain the district’s solvency to avoid a repeat of the state takeover of 2003- 2009.

Outgoing Supt. Antwan Wilson was not at the meeting. Interim Supt. Devin Dillon sat in Wilson’s seat.

Voting against approving the resolution without further discussion and information were Boardmembers Jody London, Shanthi Gonzales, Roseann Torres, Nina Senn and Aimee Eng.

Those who voted to accept the staff recommended cuts immediately were Jumoke Hinton Hodge and Board President James Harris.

The postponed resolution called for staff to prepare $14 million in budget cuts in next year’s budget, including $8.5 million in poorly explained cuts from central office budgets.

According to the administration, the $14 million in reductions will pay for the impacts of a loss of enrollment of 1,000 students this year.

In addition, state revenue will be flat, though the district will have to pay for increased pension costs, rising utility bills and growth in costs of services.

At last week’s school board meeting, staff had recommended cuts at school sites, including the merging of a number of small schools that are physically located near each other.

However, by Wednesday night’s meeting, staff had canceled those recommendations.

By consensus, the board supported a proposal by Boardmember Eng telling staff to not come back with any school site cuts in next year’s budget.

The proposed merging or consolidation of schools was postponed until the 2018-2019 school year.

Eliminated were proposals to raise the bar on how many students would have to attend a school before it could qualify for an assistant principal or hire classified staff. Also eliminated was a proposal to eliminate some custodian positions.

In addition to the cuts next year, staff has already unilaterally ordered a soft freeze on the budget for this year, which means that schools and programs cannot use their unspent resources to hire additional staff, purchase materials or contract for services without central office approval.

The administration is hoping to save between $8.5 and $11 million this year to pay for Special Education cost overruns, increase the district’s financial reserves that have been depleted over the past few years and purchase new financial software to replace the inadequate system that is currently in place.

Over the next 18 months, administrators say the district must reduce expenses in the general fund expenses between $22.5 million and $25 million.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

1 day ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

1 week ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com