Community

Community Rallies to Stop State Bill That Would Require School Closures

Published

6 years ago

June 8, 2020

Local residents are scrambling to oppose a state bill that they recently found out about that would require the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to sell, lease or consolidate public school properties in order to receive temporary special funds to mitigate the impact of state-required budget reductions.

The wording that impacts OUSD is one section of the 83-page “2020 Governor’s Budget Education Omnibus Trailer Bill,” which covers a wide range of issues and is scheduled for approval by June 15 or earlier.

The OUSD section amends a previous law, AB 1840, backed by Senator Nancy Skinner and Assembly members Buffy Wicks and Rob Bonta, which currently says the district “may” sell public property to achieve financial stability but is not required to do so.

The amendment says state aid for OUSD would be “contingent” on “new conditions” as follows: “affirmative board action to continue planning for, and timely implementation of a school and facility closure and consolidation plan that supports the sale or lease of surplus property,” according to a March 2 letter from the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), a state-funded agency that oversees OUSD for the state along with the Alameda County Office of Education and has a long history of pushing the district to close schools.

A resolution opposing the amendment was recently passed by the Representative Council of the teachers’ union, the Oakland Education Association (OEA).

In a June 4 letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, OEA President Keith Brown wrote, “The current (bill) adds requirements for OUSD to close and consolidate public schools in order to quality for AB 1840 funding …(though) AB 1840 was never intended to force school closures.”

Forcing the district to close schools is a terrible idea made even worse at the present moment, Brown said.

“Closing school facilities now will exacerbate the ongoing public health crisis, cause negative social-emotional and educational outcomes and negatively impact OUSD’s financial stability,” said Brown. “To preserve necessary resources during this ongoing pandemic, we should modify the Trailer Bill to prevent any permanent school closures or consolidations for OUSD until the COVID-19 crisis ends.”

Brown also emphasized the impact of school closures on Black and Latino students. “Permanent school closures and consolidations disproportionately impact student and communities of color – our most vulnerable students and families, and the same communities suffering the worst outcomes from COVID-19.”

Brown endorsed amendments to AB 1840 proposed by Assembly member Rob Bonta that would ensure that OUSD preserves all available public school facilities for the duration of the COVID-19 public health crisis, which are necessary to facilitate social distancing when children return to school.

In an interview with the Oakland Post, Bonta said the Trailer Bill amendment “could be interpreted, would likely be interpreted, to require school closures and consolidations.”

“I’m seeking to have the bill changed,” he said. During the present pandemic, he said, “We need more outdoor and indoor space… which should be used to keep students safe.”

Bonta said that from what he is hearing, FCMAT and OUSD are the ones backing the Trailer Bill amendment. He said the people who introduced the amendment did nothing to inform him, Wicks or Skinner, who were the authors of the original bill, AB 1840. “I don’t want to be a part of any budget language that suggests or explicitly states that they should close or consolidate schools,” he said.

Some education activists view the proposed amendment as an attempt to make it more difficult for a new anti-closure school board, if one is elected in November, to reverse the decisions of the current board.

“Seems like folks behind this trailer bill amendment to AB 1840 are more fearful that a new four-seat Oakland school board majority might derail their plan to close Oakland public schools and sell/lease public school property before the AB 1840 fast-track real estate sale provisions run out, than they are fearful of the coronavirus,” said Jim Mordecai, education activist and retired teacher.

In an interview with the Oakland Post, FCMAT CEO Michael Fine denied the amendment requires the school district to sell property in order to get state relief funding, contradicting what others see when they read the bill.

“All we are calling for them to do is proceed with their planning,” he said. “We don’t dictate what their plan is. It is their local plan.”

“Closing schools or reconfiguring schools is one of the many things they need to consider,” he said. “If they decide that is not workable, there’s no problem – the state is not dictating how they stabilize themselves. But if they decide on a plan and don’t move forward on it, that’s a problem.

“The district is making great progress,” Fine said. “They’ve done an outstanding job in the past year.”

Ken Epstein

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Related Topics:(AB) 1840 FCMAT Oakland Public Schools

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

3 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.