Oakland school board scrapes together a budget plan
The Oakland Unified School District board approved a budget plan just before the Oct. 8 deadline, addressing urgent overspending and projected deficits. The district has been spending $4 million more per month than its income, necessitating immediate budget adjustments. Supported by directors Rachel Latta, Jennifer Brouhard, VanCedric Williams, and Valarie Bachelor, the resolution faced opposition from Hutchinson, Berry, and Thompson. The board directed the superintendent to implement a hiring freeze and explore further budget cuts, explicitly excluding school closures from consideration.
In November, district staff will present options totaling $100 million in adjustments for the 2026-2027 budget, including restructuring the central office and reducing administrative positions. Alysse Castro, Alameda County's superintendent, highlighted the necessity for the board to act decisively to avoid requiring state intervention. The prolonged board discussions reflected the complexity of making informed financial decisions under pressure. The approval marks a significant moment for the district, which recently exited 22 years of state receivership, regaining local control over its budget decisions.