Oakland Schools Return to Local Control'

by Sharon Higgins

Dr. Tony Smith, Oakland Unified School District’s new permanent superintendent. Photo by Sharon Higgins.

In June, Oakland's elected school board regained its authority over the city's public schools, marking the end of a six-year period during which the State of California was in control of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Upon having power restored, the board unanimously appointed Dr. Tony Smith as OUSD's new permanent superintendent.

'Smith was Deputy Superintendent for the San Francisco Unified School District prior to joining OUSD. Previously, he had served as the superintendent of Emeryville's school district after local control was returned following its 2001 state takeover. He and his wife are parents of Oakland public elementary school children.

'Over two years ago, Assembly Member Sandré Swanson helped to facilitate an orderly and transparent process for gradually transferring power back to Oakland's school board. An interim superintendent, Roberta Mayor, was appointed last summer to assist with concluding the transition.

'The state had assumed control of OUSD in May 2003 after providing a $100 million bailout loan to cover a deficit that was revealed in 2002. While the exact amount of the deficit has been disputed, most agree that it was caused by poor accounting practices in combination with rapidly declining enrollment.'

'During its time under state control, OUSD was managed by a series of outside state administrators appointed by State Superintendent Jack O'Connell: Randolph Ward, Kimberly Statham, and Vincent Matthews. Each was a graduate of the Broad Superintendents Academy, a program that promotes a business-model approach to the management of public schools. This approach is controversial within urban education-reform discussion circles, where debate is also heated about charter schools and teachers' unions, as well as whether urban school districts should be run by school boards or city mayors.

'Over the years, concerns arose about the priorities of the state administrators. As education reporter Katy Murphy wrote: "Although financial problems triggered the Oakland school district's takeover, the state administration appeared to be more focused on redesigning schools and overhauling central office services than on stabilizing the district's finances." ("Oakland school district: Is it better off after the state takeover?" Oakland Tribune, 7/4/09)

'When state control ended, the district's debt stood at $89 million. The loan will be repaid over the next 18 years.

'Six of the seven current school board directors started their terms after the events that led up to the deficit. They, along with Superintendent Smith, are now responsible for all school district decisions, although a State Trustee has veto power over fiscal decisions. Former State Administrator Matthews has been appointed to that position.

'Oakland Unified is one of eight California school districts taken over by the state because of financial problems. The others are Richmond/West Contra Costa, Coachella Valley Unified, Compton Unified, Emery Unified, West Fresno Elementary, Vallejo City Unified, and most recently King City Joint Union High School District in Monterey County. State officials recently announced that the number of districts at risk for a state takeover has quadrupled because of the budget crisis.