"According to the newly released state report, Oakland Unified's investigation of the complaint - concluded in Aug. 2025 - found that while the district did not unfairly publicize Arab American Heritage month over Jewish Heritage Month, the district violated board policies by excluding Israel and using content from the Arab Resource and Organizing Center - an organization the district was aware could be considered antisemitic."
"In its report, the Department of Education concluded that Oakland Unified discriminated against Jewish students when Israel was excluded from the map and failed to comply with complaint procedures - taking over a year to issue its investigative report when state law requires a maximum of 60 days. The department also said Oakland Unified refused to hand over its investigative report, citing attorney-client privilege, which the department said was an insufficient basis for refusal."
The California Department of Education determined that Oakland Unified School District discriminated against Jewish students by excluding Israel from a Middle East map used in Arab American Heritage Month materials. A complaint filed in May of last year by Oakland's Law Office of Marleen Sacks alleged exclusion of Israel, more favorable publicity for Arab American Heritage Month than Jewish Heritage Month, and links to the Arab Resource and Organizing Center. Oakland Unified's internal investigation concluded no unfair publicity but found policy violations for excluding Israel and using AROC content and did not address antisemitism allegations. The Department found procedural failures, including a year-long delay and refusal to release the investigative report.
Read at The Mercury News
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