Editor’s note: Oakland School Board Director Mike Hutchinson discusses below in Facebook posts the recent school board election which opens up new possibilities in the fight to stop school closures. His comments are published with permission.
[Background posts]: Oakland voters made an important decision in the November 2022 election. Two of the three school board races up for grabs were won by candidates who voiced opposition to school closures. Incoming board members Jennifer Brouhard and Valarie Bachelor will join current board members Mike Hutchinson and Vancedric Williams to form a new board majority that will have the power to prevent the closures.
During the November 30, 2022 school board meeting, Director Mike Hutchinson introduced a resolution to rescind the scheduled closures, and that resolution will be discussed and possibly voted on by the new board in 2023.
I can’t really believe it, but we done did it y’all. In the 45th biggest city in the U.S., we forced out all seven school board directors in one four-year election cycle. Unprecedented. And as of today, Oakland Unified School District’s (OUSD) finances are in the best place they’ve been in 20 years.
In January, the new school board WILL rescind the planned closure of six schools at the end of the school year. If things go as planned in 2023, OUSD will pay off the state loan and finally leave state receivership and return to full local control after 20 years. We’re not just reclaiming our public school system; we’re also making history in the national spotlight. This is the culmination of years of work by countless people.
In 2012 I was fired and my schools were closed. I could have never imagined the journey I’ve been on nor where I’d find myself 10 years later. Everything has led to this point. I was determined, some would call obsessed, to end school closures and save OUSD by any means necessary. And somehow it’s worked. I know the universe and my ancestors have been guiding me. Honestly, I’ve already achieved more than I ever expected but I’m now swinging for the fences.
I was built for this. I love my community, my city, and OUSD. I care deeply and take this opportunity/responsibility seriously. We now have a chance but we can’t squander it. I need your help. I need you to trust and re-engage. This is our district and I am your representative.
We’ve stabilized OUSD, now we need a city-wide envisioning process, and then we can finally build the quality neighborhood schools we want, need, and deserve.
It’s crazy what we’ve done and it’s amazing how quickly we’ve brought about needed change. We’re just getting started. Together we will ensure quality public schools in every neighborhood.
Follow Mike Hutchinson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeHutchinson4SchoolBoard
Search Facebook for the Following Hashtags:
#LetsGetFree2023 –https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/letsgetfree2023
#WeAreOUSD – https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/weareousd
#NoCutsNoClosures – https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nocutsnoclosures
Some FB comments on Mike Hutchinson’s Facebook page:
“I am truly inspired. Our children deserve champions for democratically run public education. I wish that you could share your story with people in our city so more can be inspired.”
“This is the best thing. Now to start fresh and move forward. We have to keep getting community members and former OUSD educators elected who are reflective of the people and have our interests at heart.”
“Heavens!!! I’ve been so focused on the school board race here in LA I had no idea what was happening in Oakland. You and what your peeps have accomplished is amazing. Congratulations!”
“Congratulations to you and the OUSD community on these tremendous wins! You are a model and an inspiration for those of us fighting for education justice and I hope we can work together on this side of the Bay soon!”
“No one cares about OUSD more than you do and we are lucky to have you leading this fight. I thank you on behalf of my child and her educational trajectory that feels more hopeful now.”
“Yes, the community comes together once again to save the day for our kids and teachers in Oakland.”
