Comments on: Meet the new CFO for Oakland schools

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:23:55 +0000

I know Vernon from my CAL days and my years at Deloitte and Touche. While we have not been in touch in recent years, I can say that OUSD is fortunate to have a person with his capabilities on the job. Most school districts cannot attract someone with his credentials to be their CFO.

For those that think this is a mistake, can you come up with a better appointment or someone with better qualifications?

Lets wish him the best in this very difficult job.

Steve Fong

By: Turner

Turner — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:06:54 +0000

We’ll see, won’t we?
In the next year or so, we will have indisputable evidence of his expertise…

Turner

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:58:21 +0000

Vernon Hal proved to be very competent during his tenure at OUSD. The financial crises that sunk the district during the Chaconas administration should not be link to Mr. Hal. Mr. Chaconas broke the bank all by himself.

OUSD should be pleased to acquire Mr. Hal’s expertise and his amiable personality.

By: Turner

Turner — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:45:57 +0000

Hmmm…I don’t know how much credibility I would give to Sheila Jordan. It is during her watch that several school districts have imploded or have come close to it: Oakland, Emery, Berkeley, Hayward, etc. That’s close to 100,000 students who are managed by weak central administrators. Too many, if you ask me.

Turner

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:01:00 +0000

I just got a call from Sheila Jordan, the Alameda County schools superintendent, about Vernon Hal’s appointment. She was around during Hal’s tenure in the 1990s, and during the Oakland school district’s subsequent fiscal implosion in the 2002-03 school year.

“It was not during his tenure that the budget fell apart,” she told me.

Jordan said Hal brings great skill and experience to the job. “I’m so pleased that he’s willing to come back because it’s hard to get someone to take on that role.”

By: A Life Time Educator

A Life Time Educator — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:02 +0000

I think that it is funny that people run but take their problems with them.
I second the good riddance
And may your issues be there waiting in your new home.

By: John

John — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:38:41 +0000

BIG OAK for PRESIDENT! This could be his well articulated campaign platform: “Stop people from allowing scoundrels, thieves and political correctness to ruin our sorry ass cities” and country!

He’s sooooooo unaccepting of the accepting.

He’s The One!

Leave Oakland but DON’T leave this blog BIG OAK. The unaccepting of the accepting need you!

By: Big Oak

Big Oak — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:43:53 +0000

Wait a minute! Tolerance?! Same as we have to tolerate criminals taking siege of cities? Or sending kids and tax dollars to a terrible school system?

I guess I am the first black redneck. I know what I am and where I stand and can call the issue like I see them, you very accepting people (being nice) are allowing scoundrels, thieves and political correctness ruin your sorry ass city.

I bet your kids, if you ever have any- will go to good schools, and be more liberal minded than you, and the self perpetuating cycle will remain in the city of dope.

Good Riddance? No, good luck to you all. I dont hate but pity those that will suffer due to your Tolerance.

By: Jose, Former Student

Jose, Former Student — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:12:40 +0000

Equois,

We know were we stand with “Big Oak!” Where is your “tolerance” for another perspective?

By: John

John — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 02:27:25 +0000

Yes indeed Equois! St. Louis is a veritable breeding ground for back wood urban red necks not educated in the ways of our Oakland urban Oakies.

BIG OAK obviously hasn’t learned, or successfully trained, to be a true practitioner of “tolerance.”

I’d happily add a “good riddance” of my own if I wasn’t afflicted by a strain of intolerance similar to the one elevating BIG OAK’s temperature. Please pray for us!

As for my recollections of Hal the OUSD CFO between 1990 and 2000, the OUSD CEO never allowed us too much of a peek look under the hood. Even when the car or negotiations broke down we never knew how full the tank was until the car started sputtering to a near stop in 2002 (not even the driver knew), but Hal had already left the vehicle – so at least there’s no grease on his resume from that break down.

Anyway, given what’s happening in private sector waters these days it’s probably in Hal’s best interest to drop anchor and sign up for another stint in the old public watering hole. I remember he used to war a suit, it’s good to see him looking more casual in the photo he provided Katy, for as we all know it’s time for “change!”