Comments on: O’Connell calls (stealth) press conference in Oakland

By: John

John — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:18:31 +0000

That’s a very nice picture of Jack O’Connell! What a handsome Govenor he’ll make! In the mean time the sooner he restores OUSD governance to the locals the sooner he’ll be eligible for more local votes. But how about his hair? I’d prefer a little more curl.

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:42:46 +0000

Thanks, Brian. I forgot to include the address, but directions are even more helpful.

By: Brian Marion

Brian Marion — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:29:37 +0000

Crocker Highlands — where the heck is it?

Go to Lake Merritt. Then Find Lakeshore Ave. Head towards the hills of Piedmont. Turn right righ on Longridge Road. Just like it’s name, follow Longridge way up until you run into a small Oakland Elementary school.

That is Crocker Highlands.

By: Brian Marion

Brian Marion — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:27:02 +0000

As of 5:23 PM there is no announcement up on the OUSD or the CDE web site regarding this stealth press conference.

However, below is the text I received on another email group. This annoucement purports to be from Troy Flint, OUSD District Spokesperson that was emailed out earlier today:

Oakland Unified School District Press Advisory

For Immediate Release

State Superintendent of Instruction O’Connell to Announce Partial Return of Local Control to Oakland School Board

Oakland – Nov. 29, 2007 – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and David Kakishiba , President of the Oakland Board of Education , will host a press conference on Friday morning to disclose the process for restoring local control of the Oakland Unified School District. The event, scheduled for 9:30 AM at Crocker Highlands Elementary, will highlight the steps leading to the return of the Oakland school board’s governing powers.

In 2003, the State of California assumed control of the Oakland Unified School District in return for a $100 million emergency loan. As part of the agreement, a State Administrator was appointed to run the District and the Board took an advisory role. In July, the Board reacquired control of operations related to community relations and governance. This week, a report released by the Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), recommended that the state consider restoring local authority over Facilities and Personnel Management as well.