March 22, 2023
“We support the district’s direction with contract negotiations because of its focus on our kids, and because it’s time to get this done.”
OUSD released a public statement today outlining the details of their offer to OEA for a new 3-year contract. As a reminder, the last contract expired in October 2022. The Oakland REACH’s Founder and CEO, Lakisha Young, and CA Parent Power’s Executive Director, Megan Bacigalupi, both OUSD parents, released the following response to the status of contract negotiations between Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) & Oakland Education Association (OEA):
“No contract means instability for students, families, and teachers. We’re living this — our parents don’t have a calendar for the upcoming school year. Teachers can’t decide if they want to stay in their roles — and the district can’t recruit to fill open positions. The Oakland REACH’s Liberator Model is all about recruiting parents and caregivers to become tutors in our schools. We care deeply that they have a thriving wage.
“Meanwhile, only around 3 in 10 students in Oakland are reading and doing math on grade level. That’s why our CBA campaign put one question front and center: ‘Who’s negotiating for our babies?’ It’s clear from this proposal that OUSD is putting our students’ outcomes at the center. They are proposing:
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More time in school with our students who need it the most
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More professional development for our teachers to be the best leaders for our kids
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Greater accountability around how teachers’ working conditions are connected to students’ learning outcomes
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Increased compensation for teachers to live and work in Oakland
“The reality is OUSD is in a fiscal crisis. Families are leaving district schools — and as enrollment drops, we lose more and more money. The district is proposing a good-faith approach to spend what we have on the conditions that matter most.
“We don’t have time to waste — there are only 8 weeks until the end of the school year, and what we do now sets the tone for next school year. Operating with instability isn’t good for anyone. We support the district’s direction with contract negotiations because of its focus on our kids and because it’s time to get this done.”