Oakland’s school police department, one of the oldest in the country, was established in 1957 as a security force. It later attained police status, but its structure continued to change over the years. In the early 1990s, the officers worked closely with city police. But in the late 1990s, the school district decided to expand its police force and make it more autonomous.

In 2001, shortly after signing a contract with its officers, district officials shut the department down, arguing that it was expensive and ineffective. At the time, according to Roy Combs, the district’s legal counsel, the department cost about $2.5 million a year.

But the Public Employment Relations Board — and later, the state Supreme Court — agreed that the 12 laid-off officers had been shortchanged. The state board determined that Oakland school officials hired the services of the city police department without allowing the union to negotiate the decision.

One teacher/parent crisis plan:

No new textbooks — expensive and overrated and underutilized. (Fresh copies full of color pictures does not increase learning).
No new curriculum — expensive and overrated and underutilized. (If it’s needed, pay veteran teachers who know our students to work in the summer.)
Less “professional development” — expensive and overrated and underutilized. (Stop paying high-priced consultants to tell us the obvious.)
Cut top staff — expensive and overrated and underutilized. (NeXOs? Do we really need them? Put that money into more assistant principals, so that teacher’s can be properly evaluated.)
Give charters less public money, befitting their quasi-private status. (I’d still give them some; they spice up the mix.)

DO put the new-found money in the hands of principals, teachers and other professionals at the sites: Smaller class sizes, more mental and health services, more and better support staff.
For accountability: Hire more and better detectives/accountants to monitor the use of all money.
For accountability: Increase transparency at all levels to the media and community.

Also, why does the district have to pay for police protection? Aren’t the schools part of the city?

I also suggest that some schools be consolidated like Washington Elementary and Peralta Elementary, both of North Oakland. Also, McClymonds should be closed on placed in “caretaker” status because of its very low enrollment.

Lets also note that the Obama administration claims that education is a focus for the next 4 year.

With that, I see cuts EVERY year, you have districts that are running so lean and parents who are constantly making up for the deficits through their fundraising efforts, time, and personal money.

The schools and the parents are becoming so efficient at survival that the district and the state just see it as another easy budget cut.

I understand the problem with the economic downturn but why is it acceptable to deprive our children of a good education?

My advice: Go back to SACRAMENTO and tell them that the taxpayers find this UNACCEPTABLE!!!!

Wow.

Well, cut that out and you’re more than halfway to $100 million! Yeah!