City Government

Vallejo City Council Denies ELITE Public Schools Permit to Expand into Downtown

After two years of fighting for their plans, members of the Vallejo City Council by a 6-1 vote, approved an appeal that overturned the Planning Commission’s decision to allow ELITE Public Schools charter to expand into downtown Vallejo.

Published

6 months ago

July 8, 2024

Oakland Post

Vallejo City Council voted against the approval of expanding ELITE Public Schools charter into the downtown area. ELITE fought for two years to gain approval of their project and will now seek legal action. Photo by Magaly Muñoz.

By Magaly Muñoz

ELITE Public Schools had submitted an application in July 2022 for a Major Use Permit to convert a vacant office building into a high school that would accommodate 400 students plus staff. Opposition to the reconstruction soon began from members of the community.

The primary opposers to the project were former Solano County judge Paul Beeman and his wife Donna. The couple, whose office sits next to the vacant office building, argued that the arrival of 400 high school students would cause a disturbance to the area and did not follow the economic revitalization guidelines for downtown Vallejo.

The Beemans attempted to rally the support of other business owners and the Vallejo Central Core Restoration Corporation (CCRC) against the proposed expansion. While several residents agreed that the school was not needed, the CCRC voted to not involve themselves in the developments of the plan as a collective.

The Planning Commission had initially approved the Major Use Permit in March, but it was quickly appealed by the Beemans 10 days later.

Members of ELITE claimed that the opposition to their proposed plan was racially motivated since the majority of the students are Black and Brown kids. In one instance, that observation was not far off, particularly when a local business owner blamed the rise in crime in the community on Black people.

The sour taste of that response carried on into the rest of the proceedings and comments made in the council meetings.

Despite the opposition from community members, ELITE students and families held steady in their fight to advocate for their school. They attended every meeting, no matter how late the discussions ran, even if it meant staying up into the middle of the night on a school day.

Students shared stories about how ELITE has pushed them to do better in their academics, how to be leaders, and set goals for themselves that they didn’t know were achievable for them before joining ELITE.

Despite the obvious support and reports from city staff that showed that the school followed all guidelines and regulations, the city council voted to not grant the Major Use Permit on grounds that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that this expansion was a good fit for Vallejo.

Councilmember Charles Palmares cast the only dissenting vote to allow the appeal and overturn the decision to grant the permit. Palmares did not respond for comment at the time of publication.

But the fight for ELITE might not be over yet.

Eric Schaffer, attorney for the owner of the vacant building where ELITE wanted to expand into, spoke at the Tuesday meeting, stating that they are considering legal action to appeal the city council’s decision.

Schaffer said his client wants the project to go through and the council has no basis to deny the permit. He also insinuated that the reason why the project isn’t going through is due to Mr. Beeman’s prominence in the community and that the council is being swayed by this influence.

“[Mr. Beeman] is not the decider today, the council is,” Schaffer said.

Similar claims have been made by other members of the community throughout the process of fighting for the Major Use Permit.

Schaffer said they did not want to go through the lengthy and expensive process of a legal battle but they would do so in order to address the conflict of interest on the council and other rights violated by the decision.

Schaffer did not respond for comment at the time of publication.

Dr. Ramona Bishop, founder of ELITE, has previously stated how disappointed she was in the actions of the community and the council for not allowing them to expand into the downtown area. When asked for a comment on the final decision from the city, Bishop said her lawyers would be handling the situation moving forward.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”