The fightback that Oakland teachers, parents, and students gave the Oakland School Board regarding their decision to close multiple Oakland schools prevented those closures— and also got the state government to pay attention. From nbcbayarea.com/news:

“California’s attorney general issued a strong statement to the Oakland Unified school District Monday, saying that any planned school closures will be monitored by his department to ensure that civil rights laws aren’t violated.

This comes after his department completes an investigation into the district’s now-rescinded plans to close several Oakland schools two years ago saying it would’ve largely impacted Black students…”

When teachers and the community show their determination to fight for their students’ rights to a decent education, the state finds the political will to keep the schools open. If we fought together for the districts’ debts to be erased, for adequate salaries and class sizes, California just might have to allocate the needed funds. 

       Mary Flanagan  UTR retired