Returning OUSD to Effective and Accountable Local Control

In 2002, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) was required to take a $100,000,000 loan from the State of California as a result of financial mismanagement. Since then, OUSD has been placed under a state of recievership by the State of California. For the latest information on the returning OUSD to effective and accountable local control, refer to the links below:

OUSD Return to Local Control News and Resources

• Oakland School Board Officially Regains Control of Facilities and Personnel Management in April 8 Signing Ceremony

• Board of Education Announces Transition Plan to Assume Full Local Control of Oakland School District
  School Board to appoint Interim Superintendent and invest community in national search for permanent District leader

• Bill to restore local control of the OUSD cleared the Senate
  Education Committee Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Senate committe passes an amended version of AB 45 (PDF, 157 KB). Oakland Tribune news article (65KB) . To read the Council's summary of the amended bill click here (PDF 40KB).

• The state superintendent gave the Oakland board authority over an area named "Community Relations and Governance."Monday, July 9, 2007.
  • To read the Memorandum of Understanding between the OUSD board of education, the OUSD State Administrator, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction as well as the memo regarding the transfer of authority written by board president Kakishiba, click here (PDF, 2742KB).
  • The board's authority extends to the 54 Professional Standards (PDF, 877 KB)enumerated by the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) associated with Community Relations and Governance.
  • The California Department of Education News Release (PDF, 5910KB)
  • State Assembly Member Sandre Sandre Swansons's press release and statement (PDF, 5485 KB).
  • Oakland Tribune article: "Ins and outs of the state takeover" (PDF, 60KB)
  • Oakland Tribune article:"District regains limited control" (PDF, 65KB)

• Bill to restore local control of the OUSD passes the State Assembly. Tuesday June 6, 2007. The state assembly passed an amended version of AB 45 (PDF, 157 KB), which would gradually return control of the OUSD to the local board. To read the Council's summary of the amended bill click here (PDF 40KB).Oakland Tribune Article (PDF 67KB) and press release from Sandre Swanson's office (76 KB).

• Amended legislation to restore authority to Oakland School Board to be considered by State Assembly Appropriations Committee. Thursday May 31, 2007. The Appropriations Committee will hear testimony on an amended version of AB 45 (PDF, 157 KB). To read the a fact sheet on AB 45, put out by the bill's sponsor, Assemblymember Sandré Swanson click here (35 KB). To read the Council's summary of the amended bill click here (PDF 40KB). The key changes to the bill include:
  • Tying the return of local control to annual FCMAT recommendations; the first of which will be released on April 1, 2008.
  • Giving the state Superintendent sole decision-making authority over the return of control over those areas recommended to be under the State Administrator's control

• Legislation to restore authority to Oakland School Board to be considered by State Assembly. Wednesday April 25, 2007 1:30PM. The state Assembly Committee on Education will hear testimony on Assembly Bill 45 (PDF, 67KB) that would return all but fiscal control to the local school board by Jan 1. For a summary of the bill click here (Word document, 26KB). For the Oakland Tribune story click here (PDF, 68KB).

• Assembly Bill to return control over OUSD to the school board. State Superintendent would continue to control financial management. This legislation was introduced by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson, and if approved, would return to the school board, control over personnel and facilities management, community relations and student achievement effective January 2008. The State Superintendent would retain control over financial management. Read the full text of the bill here. Please read the link below for a summary of the current law, SB39.

• New State Administrator Appointed: Jack O'Connell officially appointed Dr. Kimberley Statham as the permanent State Administrator for Oakland Unified School District. For more information, read here. (September 18, 2006)

• New Interim State Administrator: According to a news release from the California Department of Education, Schools Chief Jack O'Connell has appointed Dr. Kimberly Ann Statham as the Interim State Administrator. Her role will be effective immediately upon the upcoming departure of Dr. Randy Ward. (August 7, 2006)
  • News Release

• Dr. Randolph Ward Resigns: State Administrator, Dr. Randolph Ward has announced his resignation to take the position of County Superintendent of Schools in San Diego, effective August 14, 2006. His departure has raised issues about his replacement, the state of the receivership and the return to local control. (July 2006)

• Oakland Board of Education Resolution Requesting Return to Local Control

• Law Authorizing State Takeover of OUSD Urban Strategies Council has developed a summary on SB39, the legislation authorizing the state takeover of the OUSD. Read the summary and the full text of the law
  • SB39
  • Summary of SB39