Comments on: Could the Oakland Athletic League’s days be numbered?

By: Wayne Johnson

Wayne Johnson — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:49:03 +0000

As a former Oakland School District, scholar, athlete, and coach, I say keep the sports programs. They are certainly on par with the academic programs, at least insofar as the African American student body is concerned.

Not mentioned above are professional athletes, Gary G. Pettis, 1976, Clifford T. Robinson, 1977, and the legendary, Rickey Henderson, class of 1976, to mention a few. It provides the students with an outlet and it can be an experience in the rites of passage.

By: Jean Quan

Jean Quan — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 08:38:27 +0000

Sorry, I have been incredibly behind in my emails because of the City Budget. But no Measure Y money was laid out as violence prevention funds — counseling children exposed to violence; conflict resolution curriculum for schools, case management and programs working with kids most at risK (abused, on probation, high truancy).

However, when I was first elected to the school board I worked with OAL grands, Lou Jones and the business community raise funds to save the program and as chair of the Finance Committee got some of the first increases in funds in about 20 years. I am still finishing up our City Budget, but if someone would contact me about what is happening …I would like to see if I can help.

By: John

John — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:02:30 +0000

Skyline Teacher: Unfortunately a non-fiscal conservative and his colleagues lost count of the cookies in the OUSD cookie jar and the district was (per legislative mandate) taken over by a state manager/cookie counter. Perhaps a little once upon on a critical time fiscal conservatism and professional accounting would have kept OUSD more attractive for high end administrative talent with the right ethnic credentials.

It’s a shame that NBA & NFL feeder schools might be getting short changed! It’s the last place I’d cut if I were an OUSD bean counter/cutter!

Perhaps another OEA ‘March around wealthy Oakland corporations’ with ‘Share the wealth (bail us out)’ picket signs would make things rosy? You never know. You just NEVER ever ever know.

By: Skyline Teacher

Skyline Teacher — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:34:06 +0000

This smacks of the “cheaper if not necessarily better” approach of the state. Somebody needs to figure out how many *teams* would disappear if the OAL collapsed.

One thing that may be true, though, is that nobody qualified is actually applying for the job. At least that is what Skyline teachers were told yesterday by our “Nexo” about the vacant Skyline principalship.

I commented earlier that I couldn’t imagine OUSD would push out Principal Green, warts and all, if it didn’t know it could replace her with somebody better. Apparently, I was wrong.

According to the district rep our low pay rate compared to other districts and generally uninviting mis en scene is enough to keep the qualified applicant pool dismally depressed.

It’s outrageous to look around at the extreme wealth in California and the Bay Area and think we can’t afford to pay athletic directors and principals an attractive wage. We are not talking about WELFARE, you fiscal conservatives, we’re talking about EDUCATION and other forms of youth development.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:54:38 +0000

OAL is a show case of our youths’ athletic talent. It is the pride of our schools and our families. WE need the OAL, the arguments for dissolving and becoming a member of the NCS are unsound economically, and could lead to the destruction of a incredible history.

Let’s speak out!

By: John

John — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:05:13 +0000

No THIS is what Proposition Y money should be used for.
What ya think Jean Quan?