Lessons in higher education: What California can learn
Keeping California public university options open
Superintendents: Well-paid and walking away
The debt to degree connection
College in prison: How earning a degree can lead to a new life
Library or police, a small town’s struggle puts a spotlight on library inequities across California
Oakland Unified must close schools and reform its fiscal practices in order to stay solvent, according to an Alameda County Civil Grand Jury.
Titled, “Oakland Unified School District: Hard Choices Needed to Prevent Insolvency,” the report cited multi-million dollar budget deficits, too many schools for the district’s dwindling student population, unsound fiscal practices, lack of accountability and high teacher and administrator turnover as key contributors to the district’s woes. It referenced a previous analysis by the independent Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, or FCMAT, that said “the district has lost control of its spending.”
“We concluded that these management and governing problems are chief reasons why OUSD has been on average between 20 and 30 million dollars in debt for the last 15 years, and may help to explain why one in five Oakland public schools scores in the bottom 5 percent statewide in math and English language arts proficiency,” the report said.
Board President Aimee Eng said the district is taking the report seriously and will review the issues and recommendations cited.
“As we remain committed to achieving fiscal vitality and stability, it is critical that we receive outside analysis and feedback such as this report and the recently completed FCMAT report to better inform our work,” she said, in a prepared statement. “We hope the information shared by the grand jury will help guide us on our way towards a sustainable future in which all Oakland’s students receive a high quality education.”
Oakland Unified faces a fiscal crisis that requires at least $5.8 million in budget cuts for next year on top of $9 million the district said it cut this year from its $552.4 million budget. District officials estimate that the budget deficit will be $20 million next year and will grow to $60 million the following year unless cuts are made. Even with those cuts, the district’s deficit next year will be an estimated $14.2 million.
The report noted that enrollment in Oakland Unified schools has dropped from nearly 54,000 to about 37,000 over the past 15 years, but the number of schools has not changed dramatically, with 87 schools currently run by the Bay Area district.
The grand jury said that Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell has made some positive changes and is pursuing plans to consolidate schools and control spending. However, it said “lack of political will” is preventing the district from fixing its problems.
To help remedy the district’s problems, the grand jury issued eight recommendations:
Forewoman Jane Cosgriff Sullwold said the group hoped the report would “result in positive changes.”
The investigations included interviews and document reviews by a group of 19 county residents serving on the 2017-18 civil grand jury to ensure that government runs efficiently and that public money is spent appropriately. It is separate from the criminal grand jury. The district must respond to findings and recommendations by Sept. 26.
The civil grand jury is appointed annually and often investigates complaints by whistle-blowers and others whose identities remain confidential.
The Oakland Unified report was one of eight investigations into city and county governments and agencies, along with three jail inspections, released this week.
The system has enrolled more in-state residents, but not enough to meet targets set by the state.
Two prominent organizations say the proposal would dismantle progress made to improve reading instruction for those students.
Fresno City College professor Tom Boroujeni is unable to fulfill his duties as academic senate president while on leave, the latest update reads.
This is a continuing EdSource series on proven innovations in higher education that relate to the problems facing California’s higher education systems.
Comments (1)
Comments Policy
We welcome your comments. All comments are moderated for civility, relevance and other considerations. Click here for EdSource's Comments Policy.
Chris 6 years ago6 years ago
Does OUSD have any obligations relative to the findings other than to “respond” to them?