Berkeley Unified reparations task force asks for more time

The task force established in March to create a reparations program for Berkeley Unified’s Black students will meet an additional six months before making recommendations to the school board, Berkeleyside reported. 

The 18-member task force will provide its initial advice on how the school district should fund and structure a reparations program for students with enslaved ancestors in June, according to Berkeleyside. 

Berkeley Unified formed the task force with the intention of giving cash payments to students whose ancestors were enslaved in the United States, making it the first program of its kind in the country, Berkeleyside reported. 

Since its formation, the task force has met monthly to determine how the district should fund reparations; how the program should be structured and implemented; and who would be eligible, Berkeleyside reported. Task force members, during a school board presentation last week, said they needed more time to make its recommendations. 

According to Berkeleyside, the task force will distribute a survey to the community next.