It’s time to redesign Oakland schools to address budget deficits

Dear Oaklanders, As the sounds of happy children echo from classrooms across the city, I look to the future with both great concern about our serious financial challenges and hope.

I hope, because I see an opportunity for us to come together to reshape our school district to truly meet the needs of all students, families and educators.

In my seven years as superintendent, we have built reliable fiscal systems, improved graduation rates, provided historic salary increases to retain great educators, and modernized facilities like Madison Park and Glenview Elementary.

But due to several factors that are currently challenging public school districts across California – driven by massive declines in student enrollment – ​​we are facing a serious budget shortfall.

The influx of COVID relief funds during the pandemic has helped us stay afloat. These funds are now depleted and we must take action to address the reality of today’s deficit.

If we do nothing, the cumulative deficit is expected to reach $140 million by 2026/27. At that point, we would be forced to hand over local control to the State of California, as we did in 2003.

The Oakland Unified School District now serves 34,000 students – a decline from 50,000 in 2003, a sharp decline in enrollment and the state funding we receive for each child we serve. This trend is expected to continue: by 2032, the city is expected to have several thousand fewer students.

Nevertheless, the footprint of our facilities has not changed. For our 34,000 students, OUSD operates 77 facilities, while Fremont serves the same number of students with only 41 facilities. Even Long Beach, which serves twice as many students, operates about the same number of facilities.

The key to this work to transform the district is to take a close look at our staffing structure and operating costs. We are currently budgeting for many unfilled positions and maintaining systems that could be more efficient. By eliminating these operational inefficiencies, we can provide more resources to directly support students and staff.

To advance the initiative, our school board recently passed the 3 R’s Resolution, a roadmap to help reimagine, redesign and restructure the district. It’s about more than just balance sheets – it’s about revitalizing the promise of public education in Oakland through the most strategic, efficient and equitable use of all our assets to serve students and employees.

On Wednesday, we expect to present a recommendation to the Board that represents the first step toward long-term sustainability.

The roadmap calls for a reduction in the costs of facilities and infrastructure – that’s how it has to be. Reduction of budget allocations and staff positions that do not maximize our teaching and learning objectives will be examined. It is also about the highest and best use of our vacant properties for the benefit of OUSD and the community.

By optimizing our resources, redesigning the footprint of our schools – including merging some schools – and developing innovative funding solutions, we are not just solving problems, we are creating opportunities.

A reimagined OUSD could look like this: More money to expand and deepen students’ joyful experiences in music, performing arts, sports, student clubs, and rigorous and dedicated academics in high-quality schools with updated facilities to provide equity for all families to serve.

To be clear, the discussions ahead will evoke strong emotions and questions: How will changes affect my child’s school? Can’t we just “chop from the top”? Will these changes really improve student success?

We will address all of these questions together in board meetings and community forums over the next few months. And we will make important decisions to lay the foundation for a sustainable and thriving district.

I am fully committed to Oakland and committed to creating a sustainable, equitable district that delivers on our promise of quality community schools. We need your support to build a better public school system.

I’ve always said it takes a village. Let’s come together, Oakland Village, for our children.

Kyla Johnson-Trammell is superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District.

Originally published: November 12, 2024 at 5:15 am PST