The contentious vote comes after weeks of protests from students, teachers, and parents, including a hunger strike by two teachers.
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Unified School District Board of Education narrowly approved a measure to close or merge nearly a dozen schools during a contentious meeting that began Tuesday night and lasted into the early morning hours Wednesday.
The virtual meeting drew hundreds of callers, all of which opposed the district's plan during a public comment session. Despite the public opposition, the board approved an amended version shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.The measure approved will close two schools at the end of the current school year: Community Day School and Parker Elementary School. Five more schools will close at the end of the next school year in 2023: Brookfield Elementary, Carl B.
According to the district, school mergers or closures are needed due to declining enrollment, particularly in its elementary schools. Because public schools are funded based on enrollment, this has led to a deficit over the next two years. The district says 35 percent of its schools are enrolled at"below sustainable" levels.
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