Kudos to Oakland Educators, Parents and Community Groups   

BURLINGAME – California Teachers Association (CTA) President E. Toby Boyd released this statement, following a 4-2-1 vote at Wednesday’s Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Education meeting, where board members voted on a resolution to stop five schools from being closed and one from being scaled down.

Last February, the Oakland School Board voted to close 11 schools only a week after making the proposal public. Massive community outcry followed, including a rally/march in downtown Oakland and a hunger strike by two Oakland educators. Despite the pleas of students, families and school communities, the school board reaffirmed its decision to close schools as soon as the end of this school year, refusing to consider alternatives or delay the decision.

“This is a victory for Oakland public schools and a testament to what happens when educators, parents, students, and community members band together to advocate for the public education  Oakland’s students need and deserve. We feel the energy of Oakland Education Association members and see their commitment to keep those planned closures from happening.

“Parents, educators and community members must be given the opportunity and time to provide input on important decisions that impact OUSD students without having to go on hunger strikes or organize protests in order to be heard.

“Speaking on behalf of the 310,000 CTA members, we stand with Oakland’s educators in their fight for equitable resources and equal access for all students, and are proud to stand with you. We are Union Strong!”

– E. Toby Boyd, CTA President

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The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.