Spring Musings
There are signs of progress of local input in the Oakland public school system. Through the efforts of our Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, the state superintendent of schools has begun negotiations to return some powers to the local school district control.
As you recall five years ago, the Oakland school board discovered that they had a $100 million deficit that the board has never explained how such lax oversight led to this financial meltdown. In order to get out of the dire financial straits, the state legislature authorized $100 million to bail out the school district.
The huge catch was that the local school board was stripped of all its power and a state administrator appointed. As a result, for the last 5 years the Oakland School District has been run by a person who is accountable only to the state superintendent and not any local interests.
Last week, the school district met to discuss what powers it would receive from the state superintendent. However, one key question arose that simply could not be answered. That is, to whom exactly do the locally hired administrators report? The state appointed administrator or the local school board?
The debate went on for several hours with no clear resolution. As one person said, “it’s like watching a dog chase a car. Once it catches the car, the dog simply doesn’t know what to do with it.” Let’s hope that the school district can come up with reasonable operations plan so that the public can have input in their schools once again. The school district should focus on including parents, teachers, workers and other stakeholders in the schools to ensure the best for Oakland students.
The state is facing a huge financial deficit. Estimate range as much as $1 billion. The governor and the Republicans want to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class by cutting social, medical and education programs. They refuse to consider any type of tax or fee increase. The governor is attempting to balance the state budget by retaining the city and county sales tax revenues, thereby crippling your local agencies. This will remove your frontline services and harm your community even further.
The Democratic have proposed a series of fee increases to balance the budget. There is concern that with lame duck leadership in both houses that the fight in not in them to take on the governor. It is imperative that you voice concerns to your elected representatives to protect your concerns and to remind termed out legislatures that they still have a job to do: protect our vital interests in Sacramento.
There is talk around Oakland that the city is facing an excess of a $40 million deficit this year and could grow even larger. It will take innovation and quality political leadership to ensure that the city maintains its revenue sources while balancing its budget. Hopefully, delivery of quality city services will not suffer through this process.
Even more sober, the 4000th American soldier has died in Iraq. Along with over 30,000 severely wounded, hundred of thousands grief-stricken, and over $trillion drained form our economy; the war is causing incalculable pain and destruction to America. Its time to end this war, bring our troops safely home, and vote for a president and Congress that will do it.
After the huge February voter turnout, many pundits are stating that the June 2008 election will be the lowest voter turnout in history. Many are saying that African Americans and casual voters who turned out in large numbers in February simply will not vote in June because Mr. Obama is not on the ballot.
This is your chance to prove the simplistic thinking pundits wrong. The June election will have state, county and city offices up for grabs and important propositions. There are decisions to be made that will affect your family’s health, education, and pocketbook. It is imperative that you exercise your vote in June. If you went to the poll in February, go again in June.
Vote in the June 3rd election and prove that you want a change in policies. Show them that you care enough about your family, city, county and state to vote again and again and again. You’ll have that chance on June 3rd. Do not waste your right to vote. Make your voice heard and make your vote count.
Clinton Killian is an attorney in downtown Oakland, an Oakland resident, a former Oakland Planning Commissioner and a candidate for Oakland City Council. He can be reached at: (510) 625-8823 or email: clintonkillian@yahoo.com. Website: www.clintonkillian.com
