Listen to Community Voices

By Alice A. Spearman

It is imperative to listen and voice the community concerns regarding their position on Educational and District Values

OUSD entered into a facilities improvement program funded by Measure B Bonds. Listening to community voices regarding employment opportunities for local citizens, I placed into policy, a Local Vendor Policy which guaranteed utilization of Local Businesses/Small Businesses, the hiring of Oakland Residents on All Construction sites in Oakland Unified at a 40% level. Consequently OUSD has developed a partnership agreement where we have created a Lease Leaseback program which offers the opportunity for small local companies to gain greater capacity to develop into Prime Contactors.

Listening to Community, I ensured the re-union of Castlemont High School, which will provide a greater opportunity for academic achievement for our High School Students. Not Only will the academic opportunities be larger, we are also creating along with Community Partners a Linked Learning environment where studetns will have the choice to enter into career apprentiship programs supported by our local unions which will lead to productive citizens who can raise their families in our neighborhood.

Listening to Community I did not vote for closing of schools. Consequently I facilitated with the families of Thurgood Marshall Elementary School after closing, to move together to Grass Valley Elementary School. I worked closely with the Greater Grass Valley Community along with Council President Reid to ensure there was traffic abatement which allowed the citizens of Grass Valley not to be affected by a larger volume of traffic in the area.

I also ensured the formation of a "Promise Neighborhood" in Sobrante Park making a K-12 Educational Opportunity. Children in Sobrante Park, Brookfield and Stonehurst Areas now will have the oprtunity to be educated within their neighborhood, starting in Pre School through High School, building a new High School in the Neighborhood. The community now is realizing a long awaited dream come true.

Finally, Listening to Community I ensured by policy OUSD establish a Governing Body at every site to ensure all concerned parties, (Parents, Teachers, Other Staff and Community Partners) have authority in determining how our individual site is to serve our children.