Oakland school board votes $18.8 million in cuts, up to 100 layoffs; hears pleas to cut police force | EdSource

Oakland school board votes $18.8 million in cuts, up to 100 layoffs; hears pleas to cut police force | EdSource

Oakland school board votes $18.8 million in cuts, up to 100 layoffs; hears pleas to cut police force
The board wants a September report on how cutting police would impact safety for students and staff.

The Oakland School District is prepared to cut its workforce by up to 100 workers starting July 1 and may consider eliminating its police force in the future.

Both issues came before the school board on Wednesday night, ensuring that the district is likely to face months of turmoil as it cuts $18.8 million to balance its budget for the 2020-21 school year. At the same time, state and county officials have notified the district that its deficits could be higher than originally anticipated in December — $25 million this year and $33.5 million next year. The board expects to review updated budget projections in March.

The board cut fewer jobs than originally recommended by Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell and her staff, who recommended $20.2 million in cuts including about 76 central office administrators or other workers who support school services. Other cuts in school-based jobs are also expected, but which positions will be affected is unclear. 

More than 70 people Wednesday night appealed to district leaders to reconsider the cuts, including about 50 who urged the board to eliminate the district’s police force to save about $1.5 million. They said the savings could be used to restore positions that have previously been cut, such as counselors and coordinators trained in conflict resolution. Other speakers asked the board to restore foster youth case managers, a special education administrator and administrative assistant, a library manager and an employee who works in the district’s TV station, which televises board and committee meetings.

But the budget cuts approved on Wednesday may not be enough, according to the Alameda County Office of Education and the Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team, or FCMAT, an outside agency that is monitoring the district’s CONTINUE READING: Oakland school board votes $18.8 million in cuts, up to 100 layoffs; hears pleas to cut police force | EdSource