March 4, 2019

Oakland school board cuts $20.2 million from budget, including 100 jobs

Board member Jody London said the district could not give teachers the raises it agreed to in settling the recent strike without making the cuts.

Theresa Harrington

March 4, 2019

California Supreme Court stops short of allowing school districts to modify existing pensions

Supreme Court reaffirms pension reform law's elimination of one benefit but larger challenge to modify pensions of teachers and other public employees will await a future decision.

John Fensterwald

March 3, 2019

Lessons from the Los Angeles and Oakland teachers' strikes

Both strikes yielded gains for teachers, but larger structural issues, such as declining enrollments, unaffordable housing, and pension costs eroding what can be spent on children, were not addressed.

Louis Freedberg

March 3, 2019

After seven-day strike, Oakland teachers approve new contract

The district and teachers' union reach a four-year agreement that would give teachers an 11 percent raise, plus a 3 percent bonus.

By Theresa Harrington

February 28, 2019

Charter schools are not to blame for Oakland Unified's financial woes

Scapegoating charters not the solution to district's labor dispute, author says.

Eric Premack

February 27, 2019

Oakland Unified discloses improved contract offer after protesters shut down board meeting

District increased salary hike offer, but teachers' union and supporters are holding out. Demands include higher raises, smaller classes and student resources.

Theresa Harrington

February 26, 2019

Teachers' strike is costing Oakland school district about $1 million a day

With a high percentage of students and teachers honoring picket line, Oakland Unified is losing state funds, partially offset by savings in not having to pay striking teachers’ salaries.

Louis Freedberg And Theresa Harrington

February 25, 2019

Tony Thurmond, state schools chief, joins Oakland teacher negotiations at union's request

Weekend talks broke off after union held fast to its demands. The district canceled a Monday night board meeting to focus on negotiations.

Theresa Harrington

February 21, 2019

Why I am on the picket line, not in my classroom

A teacher’s perspective on the Oakland strike

Ginger Cook

February 21, 2019

Distrust is a central issue in Oakland teachers’ strike

As teachers are joined by parents, students and community members on picket lines, the school board faces pressure to settle with teachers and put students first when making budget cuts for next year.

Theresa Harrington

February 20, 2019

Oakland superintendent: District must choose 'imperfect solutions over strife'

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, a former Oakland Unified teacher and principal, says district has to live within its "current financial reality" and end the "same repeated conversations that we have been having for decades."

Kyla Johnson-Trammell

February 19, 2019

California’s school funding flaws make it difficult for districts to meet teacher demands

As Oakland teachers prepare for a strike, a state arbitrator points to a range of factors, such as basing state funding on attendance rather than enrollments, a disproportionate concentration of charter schools in urban districts and high special education and pension costs as potential stumbling blocks to reaching an agreement not only in Oakland but in other districts experiencing labor turmoil.

Louis Freedberg

February 18, 2019

Oakland principals support teachers but call for more state and local funds

Open letter in support of Oakland Unified teachers signed by 75 principals from district.

By principals from Oakland Unified School District

February 15, 2019

Teacher activism in California takes on an increasingly 'red' hue

Teachers statewide joining the Red for Ed movement in support of higher pay, smaller class sizes and other changes.

Louis Freedberg And Theresa Harrington

February 12, 2019

Oakland school board delays budget cuts amid complaints of lack of details

For months the district warned it needed to cut $30 million from its 2019-20 budget. When a plan to cut a lower amount came before them, the board put off a vote amid complaints that members didn't know how the cuts would impact students and schools. About 100 staffers, most from the central office, are slated to lose their jobs.

Theresa Harrington