Oakland superintendent will leave her position July 1

The Oakland Unified School District board voted 4-3 to approve a voluntary separation agreement for Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell, who will leave her position on July 1. Since her appointment in 2017, Johnson-Trammell has achieved significant milestones, including an increase in the graduation rate from 70% to nearly 80%. The board plans to appoint an interim superintendent by the end of May while initiating a search for a permanent replacement. Johnson-Trammell will transition to a role as superintendent emeritus until January 2026, intended to provide stability during the leadership change. The district is also on track to exit state receivership, a significant development after years of oversight due to financial difficulties.

District 4 Director Mike Hutchinson expressed mixed feelings about the transition, acknowledging both the milestone and the disappointment regarding Johnson-Trammell's departure. The board aims to establish a committee-based approach to selecting her successor, reflecting the community's role in the process. Johnson-Trammell, who has dedicated over 25 years to education, expressed her passion for teaching and commitment to the district in her farewell message.