Education

By Patricia Kernighan

As Councilmember I will take an active role in advocating for Oakland's children.

As Chief of Staff to outgoing Councilmember Danny Wan, I fought opposition to secure $3.5 Million in city funding for new after-school programs at 16 of Oakland's middle schools. I will work to increase this financial investment as Councilmember.

Unfortunately, the School District's mismanagement and lack of leadership has failed our children and our schools. Now, a State Administrator -- not the community -- is in charge. This situation is inexcusable. I support having a timeline for the administrator to finish his work of creating a financial recovery plan and then returning the School District to local control. I will partner with our parent communities to make sure their needs are taken into account in future decision-making by the State Administrator and School Board.

As Councilmember, I will continue to vigorously advocate increasing our investment in after-school programs. I will also work to expand City services that benefit our kids, like restoring night-time and after-school basketball night courts and recreation programs at our school sites, funding anti-gang and anti-drug programs, and expanding our summer jobs program, including the creation of job training apprenticeship programs for Oakland high school students at their school sites.