The Oakland Unified School District has done so little to stave off its enormous looming budget deficit that the Alameda County Office of Education can intervene, state officials have concluded.
Alameda County Superintendent of Schools L.K. Monroe warned Oakland school board members last month she was concerned about the district’s reliance on one-time revenues to stay afloat instead of making the deep funding cuts needed. The school district is facing declining enrollment yet has failed to take any steps such as reducing staff levels or adopting a long-term financial plan, Monroe’s letter to the board explained.
The school district needs to cut about $90 million, according to Monroe. Her letter ordered the district to hand over its “Board-approved, budget-balancing solutions” by Jan. 31, 2022 and noted the county will review its financial controls.
