Comments on: Kakishiba to stay on Oakland school board

By: Barb

Barb — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:18:05 +0000

I am thrilled that Director Kakishiba will remain on the board. He is thoughtful and doesn’t use any air time for grandstanding. It’s nice to see this kind of person valued.

By: len raphael

len raphael — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:10:37 +0000

Lets cut to the chase and restrict Oakland elected officials to executives of non-profits who do biz with the city, union leaders, developers, and termed out state officials. that way the normal residents won’t get in the way of running the city into the ground.

Especially sad to hear that DK is the most financially saavy person on a board that only a few years ago plead innumeracy after ousd went down in financial flames. No wonder they begged him to stay. They were worried they personally would actually have to understand and ask questions about the ousd finances.

-len raphael
temescal

By: teacherspet

teacherspet — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:56:58 +0000

Sadly, Director Kakishiba just does not get it. We are kidding ourselves if we believe that Director Kakishiba is the only honest, noble person with the ability to “cut to the chase” on budget issues. There are scores of qualified and motivated teachers, principals, and district employees who would make excellent school board members, but cannot serve on the Board. Why is Director Kakishiba – whe heads an organization that received $6.5 million in District funds since 2004 – above these rules? Isn’t the payment of District funds to outside organizations one of the reasons that the District is in financial trouble again? Will anyone suggest funding cuts to Director Kakishiba’s organization given his position on the Board? Isn’t the whole point of conflict-of-interest laws to prevent paying money we do not have to a Board member’s pet projects?

I am embarassed that our Board members appear more concerned with their own careers than the rules they have been entrusted to uphold. We now have a Board member who clings to his position in the face of an explicit conflict-of-interest ruling to go along with one who remains despite a relationship with a 17-year-old former student.

By: harlemmoon

harlemmoon — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:59:35 +0000

“Kakishiba to stay on Oakland school board.” Well, of course he is.
Nevermind the legal implications or the perception of conflict (Lord knows these are never issues that OUSD struggles with).
The sideshow that is the district and the board continues. Unchecked.
Why should we ever think differently? Oh, yes, I know why. Because of that persuasive cartoon of a PSA to get folks to come back to OUSD.
HAAHAHAHA. It takes an awful bit of work to become a parody of yourself. But, I’ll be darned. The district and the board are making a spectacular go of it.