I think this is most compelling, and I'd appreciate discussions of what this looks like in OUSD. "The current spreading out of resources limits the educational outcomes of low-income kids of color way more than it helps them.
Hi Sam, Thanks so much for sharing. Your transparency (even if years late) does help me to better understand how entrenched the political inertia is. It will be painful and difficult to enact change in the district.
My questions are: How do you know it's very likely too late to avoid financial receivership? And also. What, as OUSD parents and community members, can we do now?
Hi Dian, thanks. The reason receivership is now imminent is that the size of the cuts imply large structural changes. Closing several schools will be part of the solution, but will only save maybe $15-20M per year. There are cuts planned in central office on the order of $20M (I forget the exact number). So those are important pieces to the solution but not the whole solution. Closing schools takes time (if done right, not just shuttering them over the summer and reassigning students and staff, which is a very abrupt and disruptive way to do it). If done properly, closing schools will require a year of planning time, so the benefits in terms of resources to be allocated elsewhere will not be realized in time to avoid receivership.
What can community do (staff and families)? There are three big events happening this year. The first is the contract negotiations with OEA, during which a lot of misinformation will be circulated, especially since the negotiations are already at an impasse, creating the possibility of a strike. Educating yourself and your community is important to reduce misinformation.
The second is the process of hiring a new superintendent. Again, this is an opportunity to learn and to help OUSD make the best decision, since the choice of superintendent can be between someone like Antwan Wilson, who left the district abruptly and in crisis in 2017 after a host of terrible decisions that we are still recovering from, versus someone like Kyla Johnson-Trammell, who lasted longer than any superintendent in memory and built a strong team that has been surprisingly persistent even after her departure.
The third is the board elections in November for districts 2, 4 and 6. The current atmosphere of severe division on the Board is fueled by intense conflict between Mike Hutchinson and Valarie Bachelor. When I was president, I repeatedly urged them to sit down and make peace, because the political differences between them are much smaller than the intense rivalry and disdain they have for each other would make you think. Instead of doing that, they have just continued to fight each other harder and harder. Both of them are up for re-election, creating the possibility of a very different Board atmosphere in 2027.
I did speak to that in the post: "People often ask if charter schools will just spring up in place of any schools that are closed. This indeed happened many times from about 2005-2013, but charter growth is no longer a looming threat to OUSD’s enrollment. Since the passage of AB 1505 changed the rules for opening and renewing charter schools in 2019, charter enrollment in Oakland has declined slowly but steadily. Ten charter schools have shut down since then, and no new ones have opened."
Essentially the proliferation of charter schools was a huge problem for OUSD in the past but it's kind of the previous generation's issue... the issues today are different as charter schools are less of a threat these days since AB 1505.
No problem Natalie, my name is Sam Davis and I'm currently an education data consultant at the University of California. I served on the Oakland board of education for four years, and was chosen by my colleagues to be board president in 2024, but I chose not to run for reelection in Nov. 2024 given the direction the majority was heading in.
Thank you for this post. Your reflections about your time and impact on the board are illuminating. I respect your willingness to share your thoughts.
I know you can’t share too many details about closed session discussions, but I would like to hear more about the vote to over-ride the board president’s desire to agendize a plan from the superintendent. If you can’t share details, can you explain the governance rules to allow this type of action.
Now, more than ever, transparency is important to help us make the best possible decisions during this difficult time.
I've probably already said more than I should! Just to clarify that the majority of the board can always overrule the president's decision about what to put on the agenda.
I think this is most compelling, and I'd appreciate discussions of what this looks like in OUSD. "The current spreading out of resources limits the educational outcomes of low-income kids of color way more than it helps them.
Hi Sam, Thanks so much for sharing. Your transparency (even if years late) does help me to better understand how entrenched the political inertia is. It will be painful and difficult to enact change in the district.
My questions are: How do you know it's very likely too late to avoid financial receivership? And also. What, as OUSD parents and community members, can we do now?
Hi Dian, thanks. The reason receivership is now imminent is that the size of the cuts imply large structural changes. Closing several schools will be part of the solution, but will only save maybe $15-20M per year. There are cuts planned in central office on the order of $20M (I forget the exact number). So those are important pieces to the solution but not the whole solution. Closing schools takes time (if done right, not just shuttering them over the summer and reassigning students and staff, which is a very abrupt and disruptive way to do it). If done properly, closing schools will require a year of planning time, so the benefits in terms of resources to be allocated elsewhere will not be realized in time to avoid receivership.
What can community do (staff and families)? There are three big events happening this year. The first is the contract negotiations with OEA, during which a lot of misinformation will be circulated, especially since the negotiations are already at an impasse, creating the possibility of a strike. Educating yourself and your community is important to reduce misinformation.
The second is the process of hiring a new superintendent. Again, this is an opportunity to learn and to help OUSD make the best decision, since the choice of superintendent can be between someone like Antwan Wilson, who left the district abruptly and in crisis in 2017 after a host of terrible decisions that we are still recovering from, versus someone like Kyla Johnson-Trammell, who lasted longer than any superintendent in memory and built a strong team that has been surprisingly persistent even after her departure.
The third is the board elections in November for districts 2, 4 and 6. The current atmosphere of severe division on the Board is fueled by intense conflict between Mike Hutchinson and Valarie Bachelor. When I was president, I repeatedly urged them to sit down and make peace, because the political differences between them are much smaller than the intense rivalry and disdain they have for each other would make you think. Instead of doing that, they have just continued to fight each other harder and harder. Both of them are up for re-election, creating the possibility of a very different Board atmosphere in 2027.
when will you admit the error of allowing charter schools to open?
I did speak to that in the post: "People often ask if charter schools will just spring up in place of any schools that are closed. This indeed happened many times from about 2005-2013, but charter growth is no longer a looming threat to OUSD’s enrollment. Since the passage of AB 1505 changed the rules for opening and renewing charter schools in 2019, charter enrollment in Oakland has declined slowly but steadily. Ten charter schools have shut down since then, and no new ones have opened."
Essentially the proliferation of charter schools was a huge problem for OUSD in the past but it's kind of the previous generation's issue... the issues today are different as charter schools are less of a threat these days since AB 1505.
thank you for this update
Sam, excuse my ignorance but what is your full name and position currently?
No problem Natalie, my name is Sam Davis and I'm currently an education data consultant at the University of California. I served on the Oakland board of education for four years, and was chosen by my colleagues to be board president in 2024, but I chose not to run for reelection in Nov. 2024 given the direction the majority was heading in.
Thank you for this post. Your reflections about your time and impact on the board are illuminating. I respect your willingness to share your thoughts.
I know you can’t share too many details about closed session discussions, but I would like to hear more about the vote to over-ride the board president’s desire to agendize a plan from the superintendent. If you can’t share details, can you explain the governance rules to allow this type of action.
Now, more than ever, transparency is important to help us make the best possible decisions during this difficult time.
I've probably already said more than I should! Just to clarify that the majority of the board can always overrule the president's decision about what to put on the agenda.
Thanks for responding Sam. I understand why you didn't run again but sorry for OUSD.