Oakland Unified school board meets online

Based on guidance in an executive order signed March 17 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Oakland Unified school board held an entirely virtual meeting on March 19, which it believes was one of the first in the state. The board unanimously declared a state of emergency due to coronavirus and authorized Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell to enter into contracts related to the virus of up to $500,000 each through May 27, due to school closures.

More than 100 community members logged onto Zoom to watch the meeting, including several who contributed public comments by using the “raise your hand” feature. The board used the “share your screen” option to show amendments to the resolution.

Boards can use teleconferencing technology to conduct meetings online “only during the period in which state or local public health officials have imposed or recommended social distancing measures,” according to the executive order.