For the last eight months, while covering the Oakland schools for the Tribune, I’ve seen and heard so many things that have piqued my interest but just haven’t made it into the paper. Some things never made it to print because of time, space, or a sense that the tidbit of information was “insider baseball,” or interesting to a select few readers.

This little corner of cyberspace will allow me to write more often, and in a different way, about Oakland schools. It’s not the place to go for the fully developed story, but for an exchange of information — whether serious or light — that might lead to something bigger.

All I ask, for now, is that the discussion remain thoughtful and respectful (I’ll do my best). Whenever you can, use your full names. We all know how quickly meaningful discussion can devolve into petty bickering in these forums, and there’s enough of that going around these days.

Please feel free to send me questions, stories ideas and suggestions for the blog itself, which is definitely a work in progress. I want to hear from you!